Does anyone else get a sudden jolt of electricity (it feels electric) in their body while sleeping? It’s happened to me a few times while sleeping (including last night) and it scares the hell out of me. I woke up screaming last night. This has happened a few times, all while sleeping.
I think it’s the Abilify and my illness trying to break through. I am on injections. Max dosage of Abilify Maintenance Dose.
Also, if it’s not the Abilify failing, I think it might be the refrigerator shutting on and off. It makes a ‘THUD’ sound when it turns on and off, and my bed is out in the living room (galley kitchen).
Probably hypnotic jerks and periodic limb movements of sleep. These are worsened by some meds, caffeine, stress, alcohol and sleep deprivation.
Sudden jolts to waking in early phases of sleep might signify sleep apnea where the trigger is a lack of ventilation resulting in low oxygen levels in your blood. Sleep apnea is also associated with slowed heart rates particularly while asleep.
Your “sudden jolt” could be an arousal. This is when your body has stopped breathing and in order to get the breathing started again your body moves enough to slightly wake you and get you to breathe again. Actually as long as there are not at least five of these events per hour it is considered normal. If you have excessive daytime sleepiness also, you should see a sleep physician.
Forgot to add; if you are still having these jolts when falling asleep try 2g of Taurine and 1g Niacin, that should put you to sleep. A heavy dose of Valerian Root helps as well. Melatonin helps too, try something below 10mg.
Thank you for the detailed replies, all. I think, PERHAPS, it might be the boom sound of the fridge causing anxiety (I’m afraid of random, sharp and loud sounds that come out of nowhere, unexpectedly), which then startles me while sleeping, waking me up with the jolt.
Whatever it is – sleep apnea, anxiety, etc – it isn’t fun. Right now, I’m on 15 mg Remeron for sleep, so that puts me to sleep rather soundly… but I can see how it might be the fridge.
Happens to me when I have anxiety sleeping (or something wakes me suddenly). I can jerk away with my heart practically beating out of my chest. It is very disorienting.