MYOCLONUS? What could be causing this?

[Buffie123]

Forty days ago I began having significant symptons.  Weakness in arms and legs, hoarse/weak voice, jerking, twitching, insomnia, somewhat clumsy and total withdrawl from life.  I wake up after going to sleep for a couple of hours(taking.5 klonipin)with a trembling in my back,chest,and abdomen,in a sweat feeling very ill.  This has happened every night since this began. Also strange symptons of burning in my feet hands, jumpiness in my stomach.  I have seen two neurologists with normal clinical tests. I have had a normal Neuro workup (MRI w/o contrast of brain and spine) EMG of rt leg and arm (I was concerned about ALS early on). With normal general bloodwork.  As these symptons have progressed I have noticed my teeth tremble and when I go to sleep I clench my teeth I suppose to keep them from banging together, they also feel like they are not closing properly(palatal myoclunus?). I can control it somewhat during the day, but if I close them slightly together it happens during the day also.  With the trembling and shaking I am experiencing elsewhere is this Myoclonus? I also have jerking at sleep but not during the day. The shaking cannot be detected by my husband. I feel very weak and ill, and quite fearful of what is going on. I am a 49 year old woman and posted earlier in the month when these symptons began.  One of my fears at this point is Creutzfeldt Jakob, could this be the onset of this disease?  Could you comment on my situation and what might I ask my doctor.  I feel so ill I am becoming desperate.  Can depression cause any of this?  Thank you.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

This is almost certainly NOT Creuzfeldt Jakob, which is an extremely serious disease that is characterized by a rapidly progressive dementia with severe neurological deficits that culminates in death within a matter of months. Nor does it sound like palatal myoclonus which is a constant clicking from the back of your throat (not teeth) that persists during sleep.

Other neurodegenerative diseases are possible such as multisystem atrophy, but should have been picked up by a neurological examination as well as the extensive diagnostic testing you have undergone.Myoclonus is jerking that can be picked up by the neurologist and an EEG. It is not shaking or trembling. It can be seen in various medical disorders such as in dialysis patients, severe strokes, infections, and electrolyte disturbances.

Depression is certainly a strong possibility and can cause all of these symptoms. But before chalking it all up to emotional changes, it's important that all bases have been covered. If you do not feel depressed and actually are in normal spirits (although you say you are in total withdrawal), then a hidden underlying problem such as infection or cancer need to be considered. Talk to your primary care doc and let them know how you are feeling so that the appropriate workup is done. If everything turns out normal and no underlting diseas is found, consider counseling. GOod luck.

[Buffie123]

Also I have ulcerative colitis and 12 colonoscopies, this is one of the factors that concerns me about CJD.

[keneno]

I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis since 1974.  A year a ago under stressfull situation I developed Myoclonus.  I have ache in my lower back and sacroilliac, and sometimes the tension rises up both sides of the spine.  Sometimes there is a chilling feeling.  The myoclonus attacks usually happen in the evening, and almost always just as I lay down to go to sleep.  The attacks are multi-focal segmental and generalized: i.e. different muscle groups are affected, sometimes repeating.  Often my speech is affected, and even trying to speak causes the unwanted jerks of arms or shoulders or neck or butt and legs. I think it is related to Ulcerative colitis.  I just had my first colonoscopy yesterday, which was quite painful to me even under the anethesia.  Last night turned into a wrestling match with the devil.   Everytime I felt a gurgling or a bit passing of gas I was jerking around.  I remember my first onset of UC and how much it affected my emotional life, and all the succeeding encounters.  But only since last year has this myoclonus stepped in. I take 1 mg klonopin (clonazepam)on the onset of a grievous attack, and it helps take me past the jerk zone into sleep.  I am also susceptible to cold breezes or cold in general, as it tightens me up and I then start shaking.
I am writing this, because the woman in the previous post said she, too, had UC and colonoscopies.  There must be a connection with UC and myoclonus.  My EEG, Catscan of brain and MRI of brain were fine.  My MD wants me to go on PAXIL, but its side effects list myoclonus and I read it has severe withdrawal symptoms, so I refused.  I think the approach has to be in the treatment of Ulcerative colitis.
I would appreciate comments.  Thanks.