strange things some time after ECT

[watt_the?!]

i underwent a program of ECT that finished about 2 months ago.

it didnt really work- if anything i think i have been worse, but that isnt the Q i have in this instance.

Ever since then i've experienced what i'd call ''twitching'' especially noticable when i first lie in bed to go to sleep.

the twitches are singular, generally spaced wide apart and range from a tiny muscle ''tickle'' to huge twitches that sit be upright involuntarily and are multiple muscle groups....which are actually pretty disturbing.

occassionally ill have some minor twitches while being awake and functioning also...almost like a tic.

i hope some-one here can shed some light or may have the same...

Thanks all, looking forward to the replies.

Tim

[Annie62]

Tim,

I used to have the same thing happen to me immediately before falling asleep.  As soon as my body became relaxed/still I would start twitching and just as I was on the verge of drifting off to sleep my entire body would jerk-almost as if I was having a seizure.  It was pretty scary as I didn't know why it was happening and I started to dread going to bed at night.  Since then I have found out this is a type of myoclonus and it is benign in most all cases.  Mine resolved and yours probably will too.  Sometimes medications can cause it, so I would look up the meds you are on (if any) and see if myoclonus or twitching is listed as a side effect.  Also, do a web search on "myoclonus before sleep" and see what you come up with.  

I'm sorry the ECT didn't help you.  I also had ECT back in the '80s (two separate times) for depression.  However, the myoclonus I experienced started BEFORE my ECT--I am 100% positive about that.  It might have been related to the antidressants/other meds I was on at the time, but I don't know for sure.  I also had another period of the myoclonus after ECT, but that also resolved.  That was almost 20 years ago and I haven't had the jerking/twitching before sleep since.  

So, it is possible yours is related to your ECT, but I doubt it.  It's more likely that it is related to any meds you are on, and chances are it will resolve on its own.  I would tell your doctor about it, though, especially if you are seeing a psychiatrist who performed the ECT; ask if he/she has heard of ECT causing this post-ECT or if any meds you are on list it as a side effect.  Good luck.

[watt_the?!]

omg what a FANTASTIC reply!

im off to do the research...makes it easier if you have a name eh?

and yes i am on meds and the symptoms do coincide with new combos and new products so it does make perfect sense.

i cant tell you how thankful i am for your response!

best regards,

tim

[Annie62]

I'm glad I could help.  Just to add, there are forms of myoclonus that are a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition, but sleep myoclonus is almost always benign (hiccups are another form of (usually) benign myoclonus.  Don't know what meds you are on, but I am almost positive I was on Nardil (an MAO inhibitor--the drug you can't eat cheese/fermented food/tyramine on) the first time I got the sleep myoclonus.  But I'm sure it can happen on other meds as well.