Horrid Headache and twitching
 

So this has been happening more and more and not really sure if I need to tell someone about it or not... so I am putting it out here first...

So anytime I get a really bad headache and I try and relax I get these whole body twitches or spasms... not sure how else to describe it... doesn't last long but if I am asleep it wakes me up or if I am resting it jolts me...

I know I am not explaining myself well so please ask questions...

I get body twitches from time to time. Mine are not associated with a head ache. They could be an anxiety reaction to your reaction to the head ache. I would mention them to you doctor at your next visit.

Have you checked your blood pressure during these head ache periods ?

No, I haven't... should I? What would it indicate?

Sarah-

I have experienced twitching throughout my TBI experience. In the beginning, I didn't even know I was doing it. My boyfriend and I share a queen sized bed. In the morning he would ask my why I kept twitching all night. I didn't even know I was doing it. However, it was really bothersome for him, so when we went to my next concussion appt. I asked my doctor with him there.

The doctor said that this was likely due to an exaggerated "startle response". Post head injury, your central nervous system is in a heightened state a lot of the time. Therefore you startle easy and may twitch. Anytime something would unexpectedly come into my range of vision or something would touch me, I'd twitch and gasp loudly. (I still do this. It's somewhat embarrassing as I've had neighbors and complete strangers repeatedly apologize all over themselves for "scaring" me) :-/

That being said, I started to notice it when I'm really tired and sitting still. For example, if I'm really wore out and sitting on my couch, my leg will twitch randomly, an arm, my hamstring, etc. It's normally a good indicator for me to go to bed.

Are the headaches related to fatigue? If so, could it be that the twitching is due to your nervous system being fatigued and on alert? (I haven't found a relation between headache and twitching, but I'm sure it's very possible as both are a part of the nervous system :)

That being said, some medications can cause twitching responses. Have you recently started or increased a dosage of an SSRI? If so, this could be a side effect and you would want to check with your doctor at your next appointment.

Twitching, especially the full body shudder, is a recognized symptom of TBI. My husband says he knows when I've first fallen asleep, because I shake.

I started twitching about 8 hrs after the accident. I do all day. Anywhere on my body. The more I do, the more I twitch. That's a warning sign for me that I'm going to be in trouble if I don't stop!

So I take a break. If I have already gone to far my brain wants sleep.

Sometimes my arms and fingers shake and have twitches. My fingers will just start going back and forth faster than I can do it on my own. At this point my speech slurs and my brain is hitting the brick wall. Sleep is moments away.

The nerve that runs all throughout my brain controlling my vision is damaged. My actual eyes are fine, but the more visually I take in the quicker my brain runs down.

Movement, too many colors, cluttered environment, has a detrimental effect on me. The more I use my visual system, the more I twitch.

The muscles around my eyes have started twitching too. Feels very weird! Arms, legs, everywhere else I can get used to. But above and below my eyes. Nope.

Peace and wellness,

Jace

Yeah, the eye twitch. My right one starts going, especially when I've pushed myself too hard. People think I'm winking at them. Once, a dirty old man at the grocery store winked back. :paperbag:

Sometimes my eyes rolls. It's involuntary (heck, I don't even know it's happening), but hubby still takes it as a slight. :(

Hockey,

I laughed out loud reading your post!

I just can't get used to the eye. Growing up there was a lunch lady that had the twitchy eye like she was always giving everyone the stink eye. Now my sister calls me the lunch lady!

I have the stink eye ;)

Jace