Hi, I am afraid I am about to sound very uninformed or possibly paranoid, but I would really appreciate some help. Several months ago (maybe 10, but I'm not sure), I started experiencing this feeling that my head is sort of vibrating. It only lasts for maybe 45 to maybe 90 seconds and it's always when I'm tired. When it's happening, it also looks to me like my head is vibrating - everything in front of my eyes looks how it would if I was barely jerking my head back and forth. My head isn't moving, though. I asked my husband during an episode one time and he said it wasn't moving. Besides, the way it feels, there's no way I would even be capable of moving it that quickly. I haven't bothered going to the doctor, because it's only happened maybe 12 times and I figured they would tell me it just had something to do with being tired, since it basically always happens when I'm already in bed. But it is a very, very distinct feeling. The first few times I felt really panicked, because I didn't know WHAT was happening and thought surely I must be about to have a stroke or something.

I recently told a friend of mine about it and she suggested that it could be a simple partial seizure, especially because I've had a lot of trouble recalling words lately, which she said can be related to certain types of seizures. Today I couldn't even think of the words "real estate" for several minutes. Of course, that happens to everyone sometimes, but I've had a noticeably difficult time with it recently.

So, I'm really embarrassed to be asking this, because it seems to me that it probably is just something to do with being tired, since it happens when I'm in bed for the night, but I just wanted to make sure. I'm definitely not sleeping already when it happens - or even close to sleeping. My husband thought I was off my rocker when I asked him if my head was shaking. Hopefully you all understand.

You're not off your rocker!
It might be nothing, but...
Isn't it worth one trip to a neurologist to find out for sure?
Try to find one associated with a university... they keep up on all the latest info.
Expect some tests too...
Keep a diary... of everything you do, eat, feel, etc. before, during, and after you feel this. Include any medicines, alcohol, coffee, tea, sodas... and how long you've been without sleep.

Good luck!

Simple partials can be so varied, so it might be a seizure, especially if you notice a decrease in your short term memory. I didn't know I had epilepsy until I typed my symptoms into yahoo and hit search, and to my suprise, 20 sites on complex partial seizures came up. Doctors can be very discouraging when it comes to partial seizures (many look at you like you're nuts...I had one try to perscribe me placebos!), but my advice would be to look for an epilepsy specialist in your area and try to get treatment, for the sake of your memory.

My seizures themselves weren't unpleasant enough for me to avidly seek prevention (and doctors can be so frustrating!), so I went untreated with complex partials for years, and now I'm paying the price; I have trouble remembering the names of people I've just met, I have trouble remembering things someone talked to me about within a few days, and I'm noticeably struggling with concepts in school that would've been a breeze once upon a time. I'm only 18, and according to my neuro it isn't too late for me to recover most of my memory function, but I wouldn't wish this upon anyone else, so if you think something is going wrong up there (lol), my advice is to see a doctor and don't take no for an answer until you get the attention and treatment you deserve.

Good luck,
FelixJunkie

Agree that a trip to the neurologist can help figure out what's going on. SPS can have so many different symptoms, as already mentioned- each person is different, depending on what part of the brain is involved.....best to check it out. :)

Thank you all. I guess I'll be heading to the doctor soon, then.