What are the causes of sleeping tremors?

[Yodle]

Hi, I've recently turned 18 and have had trouble falling asleep due to internal tremors that I apparently have no control over.  These started a few years ago in my legs, which my dad said could be RLS, which I read online is quite common and nothing to be worried about because they only last a few seconds at most.  However, now I've started receiving constant tremors in the lower and upper parts of my stomach/chest (some nights it's my lower stomach, others it's my upper chest).  They last until I fall asleep (if I fall asleep that is).  They only start if I begin to fall asleep though, l forget the name of this stage of sleep but I remember it had a name, like the moment you're about to fall sleep.  When I enter that state, the tremor starts and doesn't stop until I can finally fall asleep after hours.  I noticed it stops temporarily if I move (maybe I just can't notice it through motions) and if I stop breathing.  I read a few different possible causes for this, and the most likely seems to be sleep deprivation.  I usually get 4-6 hours of sleep on weekdays, I know that's not a lot.  Weekends I get about 10-12, and I usually take naps during the week.
Does anyone know if sleep deprivation is the cause or is it some mental disease that I should seek medical attention for?

[dawgboy]

Sounds Like anxiety/panic attacks. See a Psychiatrist and get some meds.

[bl218]

There is a very long thread on this here: https://www.medhelp.org/posts/Sleep-Disorders/tremors-during-sleep/show/476754. Unfortunately, none of us have been able to determine the underlying cause of this symptom and doctors are fairly useless typically chalking it up to "just anxiety."  It's not surprising that Lorazepam works for this although I don't think this is something you want to take long term.  Anyway, take a look at the previous thread to see if you can relate to anything there.  The thread has been more or less active for 12+ years so it'll take you a while to read.  I've also started a group on r e d d i t (you'll need to search for 'sleep vibrations') if you want to share your experiences there.

[julemay]

I am a 56yo female. I, too, have tremors at night when I am in a twilight sleep (partially awake), especially toward the morning.  A neurologist refused to do any testing because my hands are rock steady during the day. This started about 2 years ago, close to the time I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I use a c-pap machine to sleep so the apnea seems to be controlled....I don't know if the two are related.  I had a second sleep study with all of the electrodes glued to my head, specifically to see if it would show anything related to my tremors. Even though i woke in the morning with my head and arms vibrating, it did not show up in their reading. Like some of the other folks, I had been taking antidepressants for years when this started (Effexor). I went off of it a year ago but nothing changed. I am much worse if I take a calcium supplement. I am better if I take magnesium at night before going to be. I now also take a low dose of lorazepam (ativan) in addition to the magnesium before bed and they both seem to help. Most nights now I don't have the tremors, but they still return in spells. If I don't take the magnesium, I will DEFINATELY have them. If I take calcium, I will DEFINATELY have them. Every doctor just shrugs as if it is nothing and say they have never heard of it. It really will ruin my sleep any night I have them.  Hope some of us can put the pieces of this puzzle together.  I can be reached at ***@**** for anyone who has this problem and wants to discuss it.  Julie

[Pmancuso]

Your email is blocked! I’m having this issue and would love to discuss.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Shuddering or restless in sleep could be due a sleep disorder. These disorders can be like obstructive sleep apnea, wherein during sleep there is an obstruction to air flow due to laxity of the throat muscles during sleep and this could cause restlessness. Hence for therapy CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is used to keep it patent. Another cause could be an entity called restless leg syndrome, where there is an odd sensation in the legs during sleep causing the individual to move, which relieves the sensation. These disorders can cause inadequate sleep leading to fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Other causes for the shivering are injury, repetitive activity and dehydration. So, I would advise you to consult your primary care physician for further evaluation. He may then ask for a sleep study called polysomnography for further evaluation.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[VWDude]

I'm a 23 y/o hispanic male.  I've had the same problem a lot of you have.  while driving, i noticed i was getting really sleepy.  it was hard to keep my eyes open, and i've also tried the opening a window, and blasting loud music thing, nothing helped.  just had to force myself to stay awake.  and i've had a few close calls.  but i noticed it only happens in every other car EXCEPT for mine.  the other cars i drive are an 02' mitsubihi galant, 06 chevy colorado, 06 chevy HHR, and a 11' ford ranger, all of which have AUTOMATIC transmissions.  My car is a 72 VW beetle, MANUAL transmission.

Then it occured to me one day, that i never get sleepy in my 72 bug.  and then it hit me.  I'm willing to bet the problem isn't just me, its gotta be all these NEW CARS!!!!  think about it, todays cars are nothing but a LA-Z-BOY recliner in a sound-proof box.  they are filled to the brim with sound deadener, erogonomic seats, and a bunch of other crap you don't need.  its makes one think, how can anyone stand not falling asleep in any new car.  and not only that, they are just so boring to drive, lol.  versus my 72 bug.  it has a manual transmision which keeps you thinking while driving (even tho its second nature to me, my brain is still thinking when shifting).  Plus it also has a loud exhaust.  So i decided to test my theory.  my buddy has a new honda accord, which he "fast and furious" 'ed out.  rims, fart can exhaust, manual 5 speed, etc.  so i took it for a long drive, and guess what, NO SLEEPYNESS.  went home, and drove my 02 galant, almost fell asleep.  went back home, drove my bug, no problems.  

I'm not saying that new cars are causing people to fall asleep, but it does seem like a lot of people have the same issue as me.  and my solution is a manual transmission, and an exhaust you can actually hear, and the problem is 100% non-existant when driving my car.  I'd definately recommend everyone atleast test this theory out for yourself.  i'm sure someone you know has a car thats manual, with a loud exhaust.  and if this solves your problem, get a manual transmission car.  if u don't know how to drive one, learn, its not hard.  took me all of 30 minuites to figure it out, lol.  and go to any muffler shop, and ask them to put a cherry bomb in place of your muffler.  shouldn't cost no more then $100 (parts and labor) to have it welded on.  cherry bombs aren't too loud, but u can actually hear it.

and don't be afraid to accelerate a little quick every now and then, its ok to have a little fun with your car.  not sayin to street race or burn the tires out or anything like that, lol.  just accelerate it a little hard, u know, have fun with it.  keeps you awake, and alert.  

I don't think i could live with myself, if i killed someone else from falling asleep at the wheel.  at my job, i sometimes have to drive the company cars (some of those listed above), but if i have to go on an extended drive, i'll take my car, even tho i'm wasting my own gas, i'm fine as long as i know it'll prevent any accidents.  I sure hope someone can figure this out, or come up with a cure, or explanation.  and of course, doctors, just want to push some stupid pills on you (trying to make a quota just to make money), and get as many patients as possible in a given ammount of time.  instead of actually trying to figure out whats wrong with you.

and BTW, i've also found anything by system of a down to help a little, especially when you try to sing along with it.  really heavy, crazy metal band.  helps a little when blasting it with the windows open. and singing aloud with it.  still get sleepy, but it helps a little.  i have to resort to this method when i'm forced to drive the new cars for whatever reason.