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Saturday, February 07, 2015

Exploding Head

Hmmmm, it has a name. I can add this to the list of my syndromes. It's not a joke; you can Google for it, and read about it. Of course, my head doesn't really explode, but it does sound like it sometimes, and it gives me quite a jolt. It interferes with sleep. It appears this is a syndrome, and no one knows for sure what causes it.

The first time it happened I was in the car with all my family - six of us on vacation. I must have begun to be drowsy. I heard a sudden huge bang! that sounded like a shotgun fired inside the car close range. I asked, "What was that!!!" "What was what?", the others asked. No one else heard the unnerving blast; I was glad I was not the one driving.

I have a sleep disorder, and with this in addition, I'm frequently grumpy mornings, because the noises happen when I am falling asleep. Of course, I jump nearly off the bed, nerves Zinging, heart pounding wildly. Recently, I thought a light bulb had popped. It sounded just like one had popped loudly, but when I asked my husband about it, he hadn't heard anything.

During hot weather this past summer, my garden helpers and I started our workdays at 7:00 A.M. My personal morning routine takes me two hours, so I had to rise at 5:00 A.M. to get everything done. By lunchtime everyone was gone, so I usually took a nap down in our cool basement-level family room. One day just as I fell asleep, a loud sound startled me, I jumped, my heart pounded, etc. It sounded like an old-timey tin penny-whistle given one loud blast. I calmed down and was going back to sleep - it did it again! - this time waking me a bit more. I thought maybe I could still get to sleep, so I tried... it happened again! I was so angry I just gave up and got up.

Those few are the sounds I am able to describe. I don't know how to describe most of the sounds that happen. But, they are loud and keep me awake. It can take me as long as five hours to get to sleep. Due to the fact that I have a terrible time getting to sleep, I am not a happy camper if anyone, or thing, makes a sound that wakes me before I have slept enough - because it is almost impossible to get back to sleep. The alarm clock is not my friend! I am sorry to learn that other people are cursed with this "thing", too. Hope it isn't you, or is it?

27 comments:

Balisha said...

Hi Barbee,
I have never heard of this. What a terrible thing to have to put up with. I know how miserable it is to finally fall asleep and then have something awaken me. Is there anything that can be done about it?
Balisha

Barbee' said...

Not that I know of. They don't know what causes it.

Inger said...

I read this post earlier in the week, but I wasn't able to get to the comments, but now I could. First, thanks for your concern for Soldier. Reading your post I was amazed -- in a bad way, I mean. I have never heard of anything like this. And on top of the other things you are dealing with. I feel so bad for you -- can this thing go away? I hope so. Please take care, dear Barbee. I think you are my oldest blogger friend -- not in age, but in being the first stranger to sign up to follow my blog and then giving me all that good advice. And now we are friends -- something to be happy about, I think. Take care and I hope you will feel better soon.

Barbee' said...

Hello Inger, I might be your "oldest" blog friend in age as well :) I thought the title for this post would be a good one for Halloween. The strange sounds do not happen every night, thankfully. So, it isn't as bad as one might imagine. I haven't been able to connect them with anything in particular, such as when I'm very tired, or whatever. I should take more notice, and see if I can figure that out. Compared to your health issues, I think this one of mine is minor, but very strange, annoying, and disconcerting when it happens. It is so nice to have you back on a computer at home, however, I think it is wonderful that people can go to libraries and use computers there. A far cry from the days in the 1960's when I worked in the Memphis, Tenn. Public Libraries.

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Terrible. Absolutely terrible. How awful for you. I have never heard of this before and am glad it doesn't happen to me. No wonder you are grumpy! The oddest thing seems to be that the sounds vary - which, presumably, means you always have to check whether they are external or in your exploding head.

I do hope this is the kind of thing which will pass.

Flier389 said...

Wow, I hope that you can find some kind of relief.

Barbee' said...

Hi Lucy, as I mentioned above, it doesn't happen every night, I'm happy to say. Hope it will go away, but I've had it at least 30 years, so far. It is very strange isn't it. I wonder if more women than men have that problem, and if any research has been done on it. I should read more about it on Google to see if I can learn any more. I thought the title would be a good one for Halloween.

Barbee' said...

Flier389, almost missed you there. You flew right in under the wire while I was distracted. Thank you for passing through... and, for the comment. Thank you.

Skeeter said...

Wow, I have never heard of this condition before. I am sorry you have had to deal with it for so many years. I am surprised your doctor has not found a name to put on this as it sounds awful. I am glad this does not happen daily for you though.

I wake up tired as I dream all night long. Last night, I was bit in the face by a snake with that dream. Ouch, that was so real that I wake up in dispair. I am often disturbed by the snoring of my hubby to the point that I go to the guest bedroom for better rest.

Barbee' said...

Good deep sleep is so important, and that snake bite dream is horrible. Sometimes, I jerk awake dreaming a shrub branch has hit me in the eye.

ms.composure said...

o wow! not good at all!

infinitelifefintess.com

http://mscomposure.blogspot.com/

Callie Brady said...

First time I have heard of this ... so sorry you have to deal with this problem. Wish I could offer you a remedy. Hope the condition will lessen and stop as you get older. My migraines have pretty much quit as I have aged. Now I still get some eye problems, but not the pain so much at all. Hope you can get some sleep. I'm pretty sure that being sleep deprived doesn't help at all. Bubble baths? They make me sleepy, so does a cup of real cocoa made with hot milk. Take care.

Barbee' said...

ms.composure, Hi there. Thank you for the consolation. It is strange, isn't it. How goes your med-school quest?

Hi Callie, Thank you so much. I do get sleep most of the time. This strange thing does not happen every night, I'm happy to say. I know what you mean about your migraines. My husband has them, and sometimes he can stop one with medication when he notices that visual aura, before it progresses further. Ahhhh, bubble baths... the cure for many things. I love them.

Pam said...

So happy to say that it's not me - but I'm so sorry that it's you.

Barbee' said...

Hello Isabelle, glad to hear it's not you. I wonder how many people have the problem. Good to hear from you.

donna said...

My goodness....have never heard of such a thing before and can only imagaine how frustrating it must be for you. My sleep is often fragmented but at least my head is not experiencing explosions.

Nobody is crabbier than I am when cheated on sleep.

Take care of yourself and may the condition disappear as quickly as it appeared.

donna

Barbee' said...

Thanks, Donna. I've had it for years, but only recently discovered there is a name for it.

Anonymous said...

Barbee, that sounds very unnerving! What a syndrome, I can't even imagine it's reality.

Barbee' said...

Thank you, Robin. It's a bit creepy when it happens. I'm grateful that it doesn't happen every night.

trump said...

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas, and thank you for being a reader to my blog. Richard

Barbee' said...

Richard, same back to you. It's my pleasure. Can't get there every day, but enjoy it when I can.

chiropractor riverside jacksonville said...

I just couldnt leave your website before telling you that we really enjoyed the quality information you offer to your visitors… Will be back often to check up on new posts

Barbee' said...

chiropractor riverside jacksonville, how thoughtful of you. Thank you, very much.

John Going Gently said...

thank you for your comment on my blog.... made me think
come again please!
take care
btw.... you have a lovely eclectic blog here..
have not been here for a while x

Barbee' said...

Thank you, John. I enjoy your blog very much. One of the most entertaining!

Podkins said...

Hi barbee

I have only just found this post as I only just discovered that I have had this syndrome for years. Apparently once you know about it, it helps in calming yourself after an incident. I hope you're well.

Claire

Barbee' said...

Hello Claire, thank you for stopping by. I popped over to your blog. You are one talented crafter! Podkins are new to me, and so cute. Sorry that you have this head problem, too. I think mine has gotten better, hope yours will also.