Strange experience, possible seizure?

[Lostalone9]

I had a nightmare where I was being attacked by one of my worst fears. At the end, this fear chased me and got trapped behind my neck on the left side. I was screaming and shaking it off in the dream, and when I woke up something weird was actually happening to me in real life located in that area. My left side of the neck (plus the areas around it like the head and shoulders/chest) was shaking back and forth rapidly. I had no control over it. There was also a strange flash of yellow/gold light in my vision. I was wet with sweat. There was a weird buzz in my left ear. The rest of my body from the chest down was just laying normally. It was not violent shaking, but it wasn’t exactly gentle either.

For context, I have been under severe stress a long time. Constant breakdowns almost daily, no relaxation. Severe trauma from an event last summer. In the days leading up to this experience I had been in extreme distress and was experiencing uncomfortable stabbing pains in my head around my brain.

Was this some kind of seizure? I always thought seizures were full body things. I am sore this morning but it’s not too bad.

Any help appreciated.

No idea, but are you seeing your gp?

It only just happened several hours ago. I don’t know if I will call the Gp about it.

Why on earth wouldn’t you? A medical professional is what you need, not a forum full of randomers on the internet

Call your gp for an emergency appt. You may just have pinched a nerve by lying awkwardly, or you have have had a seizure. Nobody here can tell you.

Seizures don't always affect whole body, it really depends. You can actually have something called psychogenic seizures which are non-epileptic seizures triggered by severe stress. Severe stress takes a significant toll on the body. But this episode you had could also have been any number of other things too.

You definitely should see your GP.

@DaisyCat33 Thanks, I did not know this. Yes it could be other things, I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Thanks.

I'm epileptic and have partial complex seizures. I'm not fully aware during but I know its happening. Seriously, get yourself checked out as soon as you can. It's not worth risking. It might be stress, in which case that, also, needs addressed because that does not sound tolerable.

Will a gp need to see face to face for such a thing.

Could be sleep paralysis, it can be stress induced. I suffered a lot in my twenties and have maybe one or two episodes a year now (late forties)
My initial experiences were horrific, being attacked, strangled, chased or feeling like someone was pushing down on my chest. I would wake up screaming, hyperventilating and dripping with sweat. I would also feel exhausted after.
Don't laugh, but in my very early twenties, after the first couple of particularly terrifying episodes, I saw a 'medium' who told me I was being possessed and sent me on my way with a few choice chants to practice.....I cringe at this now!

It's worth having a read about sleep paralysis, it may help.

This is not ED suitable. Really.

@JaneIves Oh I have had sleep paralysis episodes many times it was nothing like that, but thanks for your input. They can be terrifying, so I definitely don’t blame you for looking for any kind of solution. :)

Non-epileptic seizures are very common and many are linked to stress. Lots of people have one or a few when dealing with stress and never have them again.
If your head was moving side to side, this is a classic indicator of non-epileptic seizures, but you should at least talk to your GP to rule out any other obvious concerns. A+E likely won't be much help now its over.
If you google NHS First Seizure there are some leaflets that the NHS give out in this scenario. They are reassuring and give advice on what to do next. Some are better than othets and sadly some are a bit patronising and dated about stress + mental health issues.

I’d never make it to a&e even if it was worse, but thanks anyway.

@Dogsarepeopletoo The head was shaking back and forth but it wasn’t too violent. I will definitely check out the NHS First Seizure for a leaflet thanks for that.

A sudden seizure out of nowhere needs medical attention and checking over to see what the cause is.

However, it sounds as if you need some support anyway if you are having daily break downs? Are you on any medication? You don't have to just suffer with this

@MyopicBunny I got a new ad medication but can’t tolerate it. Gp prescribed over phone, but for anything more helpful I’d need psychiatrist. Thanks for your support. I was really just wondering what the heck happened. I had thought seizures were a violent, full body type thing until today.

How are things now @Lostalone9 ?