Brain Shakes and Dizziness

[mg409]

I have read multiple descriptions of "brain shakes" on this forum but none seem to describe my experience. I have gone to two different general practitioners and they tell me that I am suffering from vertigo but my symptoms do not seem to completely match vertigo either.

I am a 27-year-old, healthy and active woman. Several months ago, I began experiencing these random episodes of brain shakes that are followed by dizziness. The "brain shakes" feel like a jolt and vibration that last about a 1 second. These "brain shakes" are sometimes violent and because they are unexpected, I react by placing my hands to my head. But my head does not actually "shake", its is merely an internal sensation that I'm reacting to. The "brain shakes" are immediately followed by dizziness. I feel like the room is spinning and sometimes I become flushed and nauseous. The dizziness lasts less than a minute. The dizziness is initially severe and then it fades away and is completely gone in about a minute.

These episodes have occurred approximately 6 or so times. They appear to occur randomly and they are spaced out; sometimes a couple weeks and other times about a month apart. I am almost never moving when these occur. In other words, they don't seem to be caused by sudden movements or physical fatigue. Most times it has happens when I'm sitting at my desk working or in a car or at lunch with a friend. When they occur, I am immediately fine when the dizziness wears off as if nothing happened. They also occur one at a time; I've never had more than one per day. Also, these episodes to do not appear to be stress or mental health related. I am a mental health practitioner and was able to rule that out.

Although these episodes have not significantly impaired my life functioning, they are certainly scary and concerning. Any insight about what might be happening would be greatly appreciated!!

[Netnas]

hello everyone,

I also feel the same way. I undergone CT Scan and MRI., and thank God they haven't found anything abnormal. I also consulted ENT and he ruled out vertigo. I took many medicines, but nothing happens. I consulted a neurologist and advised me to undergo MRI. There is a scar found in my brain. She said that my dizziness might go until I aged and I don't have to worry. No medicines were prescribed. Until now, I am suffering from this. Anyone who could help me?

Thank you

[iamnikkihill]

I just had this issue this morning, but actually it was as I was waking up, and I opened my eyes to the room spinning so I closed my eyes again to wait it out and as soon as it stopped my brain did the shaking thing. This is the first time I've ever had the spinning sensation with it. I still currently feel "off"- slightly dizzy, and just feel weird which has never happened before. As for the brain shake, it's been happening to me since I was about 10, and I'm 28 now. The only significant thing I can think of associated to it first happening is having had just been under anesthesia for the first time for my appendectomy. I came back to school a few weeks later and had the first episode while sitting at my desk zoned out. It was terrifying. Since then I've had them, like most of you, zoned out sitting upright, but as well as while lying in bed about to fall asleep. I'm completely conscious during them which made me rule out seizures. The have happened in clusters, like a few in a months time, and then go many months without another one. But I've never mentioned them to a doctor. I have however been diagnosed with vertigo, and I do have extreme motion sickness and ear issues. Could be coincidence, could be connected. But as for most of the incidents, they've never happened after being on a ride, or drinking or any motion whatsoever so I don't see how it may be connected. I just wish there was something other than quick go to diagnoses for this. Good luck to everyone though, I plan on mentioning it to a doctor finally.

[JayGW]

I have had the same issues for about four months now. I had my first violent episode four months back, and it sacred the daylights out of me. I went to my GP and did some blood work, hooked up to an EKG, the whole nine yards. Every test came back normal. I was told to eat more and drink more water. I am a very active (workout/run 5-6 times/week) 29 yr old, so I figured I'd take the Dr's advice and see how it played out. Things seemed to be getting back to normal until the first part of this week, and I have now had four episodes over the past three days. It's not Vertigo. It doesn't happen from sudden movements. It happens when I am on my computer at work or doing something else while stationary at my desk. I don't really hear a ringing in my head or feel like I have been slapped in the head as some posters have described. It's more of a sudden, violent feeling of weightlessness, like I cannot control my body. My first instinct is to stand up (probably because it is frightening), and when I feel it coming on, I usually jump out of my chair and try to move around a bit. I do not know if this helps or hurts as I have not yet tried to ride one out in my chair, but it seems to make the episodes last about 2-3 seconds, and it leaves me feeling uneasy for the next 30min or so. I have no idea what it is and I cannot accurately explain the feeling to anyone. This thread is the first I have come across that best describes what I am going through. If anyone has any idea what it is or where or how to get help, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Good Luck everyone.

[SusanMN]

photosensitive seizures ? I get these from too much computer use, feels like your brain jolts, makes you feel dizzy and off balance. Inner ear imbalance and anxiety can feel close to the same.

[angels57]

I just started experiencing what the very first post has written. I am 57 healthy, no meds, etc... I also think it has something to do with hydration. However, my main concern right now is that I am supposed to undergo a colonoscopy tomorrow and put me under anesthesia. I am worried about that. Thoughts?

[LibertyLioness]

Do any of you guys take antidepressants?

[Sobeachy]

I hear a swoosh, swoosh, or really szit, szit when I turn my eyes and if I turn my head I hear the noise and have a few second vertigo or disconnected felling, like my brain is catching up to eyes. Very hard to explain. Has anyone ever looked up cervical vertigo? Any help would really be appreciated. I've had this for approx 8 years.