Electric buzzing shock sound when falling asleep

Specific Illnesses & Conditions VM/MAV
1

Hi all

Lately when I’m just starting to fall asleep or waking up, my head/ears do this horrible electric buzz thing and I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

I suffer from tinnitus when lying in bed, and it’s like the tinnitus gets 50 times louder for a split second and I can feel the ‘buzz’ through my whole head. It only happens in that phase when I’m just falling asleep. I’m aware when it’s happening but I’m asleep, and I try to wake myself up but can’t. Eventually after a few ‘shocks’ I manage to wake up and it stops.

The only mediciation I’ve changed recently is starting verapamil (which seems to be helping slightly with the daytime dizziness). I’m been on amitriptyline for about a year too.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Could it be related to the verapamil, or is there something else going on with my brain?

Andrew

2

Hello Andrew,

It happens to me too, when falling asleep or waking up. I call it brain/ear zaps. I’m not on any meds now, I’m guessing it’s just another symptom?!?

3

Hi belgianwaffle, that’s exactly what it’s like.

Do you find it’s worse when you feel worse… or anything makes it worse? Has it been there the whole time you’ve had this condition? It’s only been happening the last week or so here (I’ve had this for years) and now it’s crazy nearly every night.

Andrew

4

Well I feel bad most of the time, so it’s hard to tell. Just happens.
It has not been there the whole time. Started after 4 months.
I guess my brain/ears are going bananas?! :roll:

5

Sounds like some kind of hypnagogic phenomenon. It’s weird stuff. Can be very scary–there’s even one called “exploding head syndrome”!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnagogia

6

Hi Andrew,
I get exactly the same thing but only on falling asleep. I’m just on the point of sleep when “zap” a shock seems to hit my head and sometimes my whole body jumps. Sometimes it leaves me feeling quite shaken. I used to be on amitryptaline and am now on nortriptyline and I’m not sure but feel it may have something to do with this.
Best wishes
Anne x

7

Get that. Mostly in evening. It’s awful on top of all other symptoms. So sorry others have it too

8

— Begin quote from “Dizzyanne”

Hi Andrew,
I get exactly the same thing but only on falling asleep. I’m just on the point of sleep when “zap” a shock seems to hit my head and sometimes my whole body jumps. Sometimes it leaves me feeling quite shaken. I used to be on amitryptaline and am now on nortriptyline and I’m not sure but feel it may have something to do with this.
Best wishes
Anne x

— End quote

I’ve had it before trying any meds and I am still having it now (not on any migraine meds).
Must be another symptom?