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What Causes Vibrating Sensation In The Head?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Apr 2017
Question: Hello again!
I have these "jolts" where i feel a surge from the lower chest/upper stomac and makes me twitch my head sideways. Happens mostly when trying to sleep or am very tired etc. Not when I do things like drive, or work physically.
Last night when these twitches orrured again, they are followed by a inner vibration that is in my brain and parts of budy. Described as if you take a ruler and place on the table and flick it so it vibrates. Thats what it feels like inside my head/body just after these jolts.
Seen a neuro, and he ordered EEG but also said he did not suspect epilepsy. What can this be? Tumor in brain? D-vitamin deficiancy?
Had this back in 2012 and it went away for a year or so, and came back and went away. This time its been ongoing for about three months. Should I worry?
Now- I am going in for an EEG, but this is only a simple test in the morning, not during sleep or sleep deprivated.
I tried to tell the lady at the hospital that I usually get these at night, when going to sleep etc. So would be better to have one done while staying there for night, so they would get the "seizures" recorded. She said that they would see it even if I diod not have a "twitch/seizure".
I said: When I wore an ECG, the cardiologist told me that if I did not have a rythm disorder or a "incident" at the time of the recording, It would be of no use basically. Isnt thaT the same for a EEG? I need to have a twitch or seizure for it to be any point of the test?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Sleep-deprived EEG or overnight EEG would be preferable.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you.

I have noted your symptoms and we need to exclude seizures, especially a type of epilepsy called as myoclonic epilepsy. Myoclonic jerks are known to occur while falling asleep or while waking up, and gets exacerbated, when sleep-deprived.

So, I agree with you that the yield of EEG (chances of finding something abnormal) is higher when we do sleep-deprived EEG or overnight EEG or prolonged EEG recording. Normal EEG recording is done for 30-40 minutes, however, in some cases, we do it for 12-24 hours or longer to pick up the abnormal electrical discharges, which occur very intermittently.

Routine EEG (without sleep deprivation or overnight) may also be abnormal in about 50% of cases. So, you may undergo this EEG, and if it is normal, you can proceed for sleep deprived or overnight EEG.

I sincerely hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
     
Best wishes,     
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)
Thank you very much. That is what I mean too. I fear that this first standard EEG will not show anything, and then I have to wait for long time to get another appointment for prolonged EEG....
However. In your opinion; is this signs of danger? I have heard this may be because of many things, such as stroke, tumors, brainlesions, but also from lack of vitamins etc. I have had very low reading of vitamin D- and some rapports online says that there is a connection?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Most probably it is not a serious illness.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

In XXXXXXX appointments for EEG including seep-deprived EEG/overnight EEG are quick and can be done within a few days. However, if there would be delay in your case, insist that they do sleep-deprived/overnight EEG in the first instance itself.

It is unlikely to be a serious illness such as brain tumors. Vitamin D deficiency is common (affects 80% of population in India) and it can be easily treated with vitamin D supplements.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)
So it might be vitamin d or b12 that stresses the nervous system in some ways?
I had a mri done last time i had this and nothing showed.
Scared that this might be progressive form of what u Said.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Vitamin B12/D deficiency can be easily treated.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back.

I am glad to note that your MRI brain was normal, which has ruled out all serious problems, including brain tumor.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can affect nervous system, however, it can be easily treated with vitamin B12 supplements.

Your condition does not seem to be progressive.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

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What Causes Vibrating Sensation In The Head?

Brief Answer: Sleep-deprived EEG or overnight EEG would be preferable. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for posting your query. I am Dr Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist, and would try my best to help you. I have noted your symptoms and we need to exclude seizures, especially a type of epilepsy called as myoclonic epilepsy. Myoclonic jerks are known to occur while falling asleep or while waking up, and gets exacerbated, when sleep-deprived. So, I agree with you that the yield of EEG (chances of finding something abnormal) is higher when we do sleep-deprived EEG or overnight EEG or prolonged EEG recording. Normal EEG recording is done for 30-40 minutes, however, in some cases, we do it for 12-24 hours or longer to pick up the abnormal electrical discharges, which occur very intermittently. Routine EEG (without sleep deprivation or overnight) may also be abnormal in about 50% of cases. So, you may undergo this EEG, and if it is normal, you can proceed for sleep deprived or overnight EEG. I sincerely hope my reply has helped you. I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, XXXXXXX For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/