Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Shock Feeling In My Head

I have been having shock sensations in my head for about 4 years now, I told my doctor about it and he just laughed and shook his head and said, he didnt know it could be, he never ordered any tests to done either. I have diabetes type1 and i see him all the time, and every visit he just does the same thing, shaking his head and laughs. I feel like im crazy for having this feeling. The shocks happen at any time and go away on their own. It isnt felt on one particular side of my head but mostly the frontal part, it makes me close my eyes, this is how strong it is. I have been searching and cannot find any answers, I dont know what type of doctor to consult in as I only have a general practicioner for all my issues.
8 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
152264 tn?1280354657
I have heard of exploding-head syndrome, and maybe this is some variant, but it's definitely not the same... I did not get a loud noise in my head, only a momentary intensification of the normal tinnitus in my hearing-loss ear.

I also experienced (and still occasionally get) shocks in my face of an electric nature, around my eye, side of nose, and upper lip, but these were COMPLETELY separate from the "eye-closing" "shocks," which I first called "brain blinks" because that's what it felt like, as if my brain/consciousness blinked violently off for a split second. I thought I was getting epilepsy or something!
Helpful - 0
338416 tn?1420045702
I had shocks in my face for several months before diagnosis - it's what led me to go to the doctor. She diagnosed it as trigeminal neuralgia and sent me to a neurologist. Mine were in my chin and nose.
Helpful - 0
11119474 tn?1428702170
I have these also, but only when I am trying to fall asleep.  They are very scary.  Mayo Clinic calls them "Exploding Head Syndrome" that is typically a benign condition that is indicative of "nothing".  :)
Here is a link.
http://www.riversideonline.com/health_reference/Nervous-System/AN00929.cfm
Helpful - 0
152264 tn?1280354657
Catherine, what are the shocks like? Are they painful?

I was surprised to see you say they make you close your eyes. I never heard of anyone else having that until now! I am wondering if it's similar to what I had most strongly in 1999 and continuing for many, many years but less strongly (now they are rare, only when I've had some kind of sleep disruption). Mine were not painful and at first were so strong my eyes would close (I couldn't help it) and I felt like I was going to conk out for that split second. I am sure that mine were due to some problem with the brainstem/hearing system as I had recently experienced a sudden severe hearing loss and increased dizziness problem.

Do they happen when you move your eyes a certain way? (Like sideways?)

Do they happen more when you're sleepy, or between sleep and waking (like when you wake up in the middle of the night)?

Do they come in bunches?

Do they happen when you hear certain types of staticky noises?

Just curious... I never got an answer for this (nor most of my other weird symptoms all these years, the most I got was a kind-of diagnosis of "cranial neuropathy" and later some kind of unspecified "polyneuropathy").

I actually did have the "shocks" again for a short period a year or two ago, when I was playing around with migraine meds and was on Effexor for about a month... when I went OFF the Effexor I had those "shocks" in my head a LOT, though not so strongly as in 1999. This is apparently a common occurrence with coming off Effexor. But I was not taking ANY meds when the original, really strong ones  (the eye-closing ones) started in 1999.

Best of luck and let me know if you get any info about this.

Nancy
Helpful - 0
5112396 tn?1378017983
If "laughed and shook his head and said, he didn't know it could be" is not IMMEDIATELY followed by a referral to someone with deeper knowledge, he gets an immediate pink slip.

I don't mind it when doctors tell me an honest "I don't know". I do NOT tolerate it when they do not steer me in the direction of someone who might.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks hun, I appreciate your concern for me. you are absolutely right, I am going to get another Dr
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hc1
Sounds like some referred pain from a neuralgia.  I know occipital neuralgia can cause pain behind and around the eyes.  Sounds like you need a new doctor.  Pain is not normal.  
Helpful - 0
5887915 tn?1383378780
Hi there,

I can't help you with your symptoms as I've never experienced it before sorry.

I can only advise you to find a new doctor or ask this one what he is laughing at and then find a new doctor. I try to look at a any doctor like a plumber or an electrician, they provide us with a service that we are paying for.

I don't like the attitude of some doctors these days because some seem to view their patients as below them & I just don't get that. They are no better than you or I and should not ever think they can put themselves up into a superior position.

You have a history of type 1 diabetes and your doctor should not be ignoring a long standing history of this type. I am really sorry you have been having this problem for 4 years now but I honestly think you need to find yourself someone who is going to provide you with the care you need.

It really gets me going when I hear stories like this...hence the ranting in my reply to your post.

Take Care,

Karry.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community

Top Neurology Answerers
987762 tn?1671273328
Australia
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease