Strange head rush feeling - do you get these?

[Gigi42p]

For most of my life I've had these very weird sensations. Just had one a moment ago which prompted me to write. I wanted to ask

• does everyone get these?
• what are they?

So I'm semi laid out on the sofa, I'm reading mumsnet on my phone, and I get a whoosh type sensation in my head (no sound) I just feel very very weird for a few moments. Maybe a bit like how you'd feel before you were about to faint - but not of a level of severity that they make me faint. Or perhaps how you might feel a few moments before you throw up.

They started when I was 8yrs old and resulted in a panic disorder which I battled through most of my teens and 20s. I eventually sort treatment and CBT and I'm so much better now.

But I still get these sensations and they leave me feeling very vulnerable - I guess that's the best way to describe, because they are so disconcerting. I feel vulnerable right now because I'm home alone with my baby.

They come totally out of the blue and for no reason I can pinpoint. I can go weeks without one and then have several in a day. They do occur more often when I'm stressed but they also occur when there's nothing happening and I'm just chilling at home, like right now.

I don't even know how to address it with a doctor because I don't have the word to describe it. It's not exactly a vertigo, I don't faint, it's not a headache, it's not a panic attack, and I'm not sick - I just get a feeling like I'm about to collapse, everything goes weird and I have to remind myself to breath and then it passes.

Sometimes they can be 2-3 seconds, sometimes they can be a bit longer like 5-10 seconds.

Afterwards I feel shakey but that's more from the panic, than being actually unsteady on my feet.

Just wondered if I'm all alone with this or if it happens to anyone else!

I used to get this when I was younger and not eating/drinking/sleeping properly, I think it happens if you're dehydrated and sleep deprived or low blood sugar. I would especially get it if I tried to run for a bus or something.

It's probably worth mentioning to a doctor but I would look at these things first. Are you getting enough sleep/food/water?

I get weird sensations, like fluid trickling down from top of head, I also get whoozy feelings as well in the morning, I put this down to sugar low, so I have a coffee with a biscuit. Maybe perhaps when we get older, there is more gaps in the brain.

I have had the same sort of thing since I was 10 which also resulted in panic disorder for me too and I missed loads of school. Back then they didn’t understand it and just thought I was being difficult.
I would still talk to the doctor because from describing the symptoms they can try to figure out what it is. I have put mine down to vertigo and I also have low ferritin and low blood pressure. When I’m stressed I get it much more too but also if I’m relaxed it’s more rare but one can come along any time. When mine happen I also get an attack of tinnitus. Not sure if it’s the same thing but I’m following in case anyone else can help!

Brain zap? www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-disorders/symptoms/brain-zaps/

It sounds like an anxiety attack…. Not a full panic attack but just a rush of adrenaline

I wonder if it's linked to low blood pressure due to dehydration? Make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day, have a glass of water with meals for example.

Low blood pressure would make sense for me, mine is always on the low side when measured.

I've had similar, also have low iron and low blood pressure. Worse when I'm on my period or ovulating, so presumably a hormonal element to it. I get palpitations too. Not pleasant but it rarely lasts for long.

A strange feeling like a 'wave' going through your head can be a sign of a mild focal seizure, but i think it would usually be accompanied by other symptoms. I don't mean to alarm you, but it might be worth reading up on this on the Epilepsy Society website. I worked with someone with epilepsy, then my son was diagnosed, so suddenly had to learn about all the different types.

However, that feeling could also be any number of things, so I would discuss with your doctor.

I thought low blood pressure, reading that. Similar to sensations I get if I do something with my arms above my head for, like holding a yoga pose, and it's really alarming when it happens. Then I read something last year that said it was a low blood pressure thing (which I've always had), but hadn't made the connection.

Yes I get this, always have done. I have low blood pressure, but there is also a family history of epilepsy so who knows.

Interestingly I've always had low pressure, I currently have low iron, and low folate (most likely related to having a baby). During my pregnancy, towards the end, my blood sugar was all over the place.

I also have a sibling who had temporal lobe epilepsy - although he hasn't had a seizure for decades. I think much was related to him having too much of a good time at uni.....

It does feel like a wave - that's a good way of describing it.

I sleep badly (always have), and I definitely don't drink enough water.

So lifestyle does seem to be likely accountable.

Good to know I'm not completely alone. No one in my RL understands what I mean.

It could be silent migraine

I did start to suffer from migraines a few years after these episodes, don't get either any more (touch wood)

My children have the sneezing at bright light gene, although I don't. That is thought to be related to the same brain area as epilepsy and migraines.

I've had these all my life. Mostly when waking but sometimes during the day. Never paid attention until I got suspected Bell's Palsy and they got much worse, Then they said they thought it was MS cos I an MRI showed an area of damage . Now they are saying it looks much more like a one off 'event' of damage. My whooshing feeling definitely got much worse while this was happening and has improved over months but I still feel it now and then.

I'm not sure what the answer is given I've had these all my life but they were also definitely linked to a brain event.

I had these for around 3 years. They have gradually stopped. I saw a Consultant Neurologist and had MRI scans of my brain and spine. The conclusion was that they were anxiety attacks which made sense as I was going through a lot of difficulties in all areas of my life at the time.

I get this feeling too op
It's like a sudden "woosh" to the top of my head
I have low blood pressure but I also have a Neuro disability, have had one seizure decades ago and am on pain meds, so it could be all or any of these in my case.
In your case some of this could apply too, including anxiety
I think you need to discuss with your GP, it could possibly be a form of migraine or epilepsy
Keep well hydrated as that helps stabilise blood pressure