Sudden violent cold shivers?

Not sure what category this should be listed under, but wondering if anyone else has had this. The incidents happen usually soon after I fall asleep, sometimes before I dose off. Last night, I had just fallen asleep. My arm was out of the covers and the room didn't feel cold. I must have shifted or something, because that's all it took for me to all of a sudden go into spasms of cold shivers. I can't speak during it, I'm afraid to move for fear of another breeze hitting. The vibrations from my shivers woke my husband. He tried hugging me to help warm me, but I don't even know if I was truly cold. But the spasms literally cause my abdominal muscles (and everything else it seems) to tighten. I can't make my body calm down. The episodes usually last 5 or 10 minutes, then I'm back to normal. It is completely exhausting, and feels like a seizure!

I now have these as much as a couple times a week. They've happened all summer (we keep it cold in the house), and they come as complete surprises. It wasn't unusually cold in the room or anything. And I had laid there with one arm out for at least a half-hour before the spasm started. I am not sick, no fever, and no residual effects- except for exhaustion. Literally it feels like a seizure.

Anyone have ideas? Is this something I should mention to my doctor?

No new medicines when this all started. The docs haven't exactly figured me out yet. I have a diagnosis of "thoracic muscle spasm", which has been non-stop for four years. I had the nerve tests done for carpal tunnel, and it shows up in both hands. I have problems from cervical down to tailbone that show up well on MRI. I also have nerve issues in my neck, and have had pinched nerves from the occipital thru C-5, I think, which contribute to the hand tingles.

Is that what you mean by nerve damage? I don't know if any of that is related to these tremors, but I'd like to find out!

Thanks for trying to help, Merrida. These episodes take my whole body. Usually they happen at night, sometimes a few minutes after getting in bed, sometimes in the middle of the night. I am not sure, but it may be immediately after some movement, either rolling over, or getting a breeze under the cover or something. I think it is brought on by a simple chill in the air, really. That's the only thing I can surmise.

I have had this happen once while just walking in my bedroom. Instant shivers- I couldn't walk, couldn't move, except for the violent spasms that had taken control over my body. Essentially I was hunched over, bracing myself on a piece of furniture so I wouldn't fall over.

I can't count how many times over the last six or ten months this has happened. I don't think it happened prior to this year. Maybe 10-15 times total?

I don't recall being in uncontrollable bouts of pain during this at all. I had anxiety attacks for about 4 months several (six?) years ago, but have not had them since. (I think God allowed me to experience that for a couple reasons- to help understand what my sister experiences, and also to help another person later after I was past that.) I really have no anxiety issues anymore. Other than a rapid heartbeat sometimes.

I have no feelings of terror or anxiety before or during these episodes, other than the terror of actually going through it, if that makes sense. The relief and exhaustion takes over when it finally stops. But it is completely uncontrollable when it's happening.

I would say they could be seizures but I'm betting it has more to do with those cervical issues that are yet diagnosed and like btl and her cranial nerve issue they control so many sensory perceptions. They also happen to run down your neck and out the cranium and if you have high cervical problems those nerves could be getting pinched or pushed against something as your body relaxes.

I've seen this several times and It's scary to watch so experiencing its got to be horrifyingly.

I would definitely push harder for Neuro to look more to see if they can find you a better answer.

And hopefully a solution.

Hello! Merrida and Lori - I have been experiencing the same thing lately and my boyfriend just thinks I'm cold. It happens with the slightest breeze and has becoming more frequent. It's so severe that I can barely stand up (my hips and stomach clench up) and also it's hard to talk. I feel exhausted afterwards. This has been happening about once a week recently.

Your post is from Oct 2014 - have you discovered anything since then? Thanks!

Hi all. Coopzig, I have not talked to any doc about these shivers. I still get these attacks. I dread them when they happen. Mine do seem to be associated with cold, with a breeze of some sort, but that is not enough to explain the drastic event that takes place. I do have an appointment scheduled next month with the neurosurgeon so I will ask him.

Lori, I know exactly what you are talking about. I was having those really badly last year. And mine sounds so much like yours. I, too, would wake up having them usually around 2-3 in the am. You just cannot stop shaking and shivering. I got to where I kept a fuzzy blanket beside my bed because as you dedcribed, you cannot walk to get one. I feel sure that it is related to my nerve problems in my spinal cord. My doctor increased my neurontin and mine have become less frequent. I now usually have them if I get chilled quickly or if my medicine is about due. Good luck. Wish I could be of more help. But I truly know what you are experiencing. Take care. If you find out anything from your doctor, please let us all know. I also sleep with a heating pad because I am so cold natured. :)