Electric shocks at night?

[KaciCrochets]

Does anyone else get brain zaps/electric shocks when they are trying to fall asleep? I know this is a common withdrawal effect from SSRIs, but I don't take those (or really anything else, just hydroxyzine on occasion when I can't sleep because of adrenaline rushes). I didn't get to sleep until 3 am last night because of the constant shocking. Sometimes the shocks come with hot flashes, panic, and adrenaline, sometimes not. Sometimes they cause a muscle twitch, sometimes not. They are really annoying and I have no idea what causes them. All I know is that my sleep has been garbage a lot since the whole pandemic lockdown and I'm so over it.

[Megan L.]

Hi Kaci! 
 

I have experienced the SAME exact symptoms as you and I have not taken any medications for almost two years. I hate these symptoms so much because I LOVE my sleep. Have you done any recent testing? I am going to see a neurologist and possibly do a sleep study test as well. I have noticed that if I work out, do hot yoga, or sit in a sauna, my symptoms are at a full 100 and I can’t sleep for what seems like days because the shocks are there every time I fall asleep. I have managed them for almost two years by cleaning up my diet, eating organic, taking adrenal support herbs, low impact exercise like walking and light weight lifting (nothing that gets my heart rate up too high) and this cbd oil which helps with the muscle twitching and jerking. I would love to connect through fb or email—please reach out! You are not alone! 
 

Megan 

[merkat30]

I have this it just horrid I have hyper pots mcas I also have leg arm uncontrollable movements eye go funny pin like pain in legs rush of adrenaline I no to well agitated feeling come out no were everynite it horrible .hot sweats nausea feeling 

[KaciCrochets]

Good to know it's not just me! I've figured out that mine were caused by my vitamin D supplement. I had been taking it for years without issues and suddenly it started causing anxiety and brain zaps. I had moved in with my parents while we built a new house and I went from soft, filtered water to spring water that had minerals in it, and the minerals messed with my brain. When we moved into our new house we went back to soft, filtered water, but I still can't take the vitamin D without being up all night. I also have issues when my system is overloaded from being in too much pain for too long. I've started taking a muscle relaxant before bed and it helps a lot.

@Megan L.I haven't had any recent testing - there are zero dysautonomia docs in my network, they have told me I'm on my own. I used to see a specialist before I had to switch insurance, so I have a hyper POTS diagnosis, but that's as far as I got for any sort of treatment. My PCP is pretty good, though, she at least understands more than most what hyper POTS is.

[flowntheloop]

On 4/17/2020 at 1:58 PM, KaciCrochets said:

Does anyone else get brain zaps/electric shocks when they are trying to fall asleep? I know this is a common withdrawal effect from SSRIs, but I don't take those (or really anything else, just hydroxyzine on occasion when I can't sleep because of adrenaline rushes). I didn't get to sleep until 3 am last night because of the constant shocking. Sometimes the shocks come with hot flashes, panic, and adrenaline, sometimes not. Sometimes they cause a muscle twitch, sometimes not. They are really annoying and I have no idea what causes them. All I know is that my sleep has been garbage a lot since the whole pandemic lockdown and I'm so over it.

I get them at random times throughout the day. I have not yet figured out a trigger, so please let me know if you find yours! I didn't start getting brain zaps until I weaned off of SSRIs in 2013 (took me an entire year due to the side effects). I didn't not feel back to my self until 2015. It was pure h***!

Can you induce your zaps by keeping your head still and looking as far as you can to the corner of the room? It is freaky!