Aa
Hypnic Jerks
I have been treated at CCF for hypnic jerks for about 4 years now. After about 8 years with this condition I have done extensive research and can never seem to find out the cause. Any new discoveries about this and why?
Thank you.
Shamrock
Thank you.
Shamrock
Hi Lele Bug
It was good to read your last posting. I believe in journalizing or putting my thoughts down in writing when I'm having a continual problem. For the first couple years with our problem I actually kept a nightly log to see if there was any kind of pattern (like the timing of each jerk, was I close to my period, did I have a stressful or peaceful day, etc.) There was absolutely no pattern. They were just there!
There would not be enough space in this Forum for me to post all the stresses I have encountered in my life. I am under a great deal of stress right now, but "usually" if I take my medication I can get a descent night's sleep. I completely understand when you say you try not to react to the jerks in the falling asleep process. I try this too. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the severity of the jerk.
It does seem like anxiety and stress play a significant role in this, doesn't it? I remember when I was young (way before the jerks) my Aunt telling me that even though your dealing with a problem in your life at a certain point in time, it doesn't mean you can't have "fall-out" from it at another time in your life. I'm pretty sure I believe that now.
Now with my medication things are pretty much under control so I don't do much research on this anymore. Five years was enough. Occasionally, like I did here, I'll ask a doctor a question. I find it very helpful and therapeutic when I read other people's posting about this. It makes me feel I'm not alone. For about 3 years I actually thought I was going crazy because no one could diagnose it or the medication I was put on wasn't helping. Thanks Lele Bug.
And sammad, before I started on medication I did experience the "electrical jolt" thing.
Shamrock
It was good to read your last posting. I believe in journalizing or putting my thoughts down in writing when I'm having a continual problem. For the first couple years with our problem I actually kept a nightly log to see if there was any kind of pattern (like the timing of each jerk, was I close to my period, did I have a stressful or peaceful day, etc.) There was absolutely no pattern. They were just there!
There would not be enough space in this Forum for me to post all the stresses I have encountered in my life. I am under a great deal of stress right now, but "usually" if I take my medication I can get a descent night's sleep. I completely understand when you say you try not to react to the jerks in the falling asleep process. I try this too. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on the severity of the jerk.
It does seem like anxiety and stress play a significant role in this, doesn't it? I remember when I was young (way before the jerks) my Aunt telling me that even though your dealing with a problem in your life at a certain point in time, it doesn't mean you can't have "fall-out" from it at another time in your life. I'm pretty sure I believe that now.
Now with my medication things are pretty much under control so I don't do much research on this anymore. Five years was enough. Occasionally, like I did here, I'll ask a doctor a question. I find it very helpful and therapeutic when I read other people's posting about this. It makes me feel I'm not alone. For about 3 years I actually thought I was going crazy because no one could diagnose it or the medication I was put on wasn't helping. Thanks Lele Bug.
And sammad, before I started on medication I did experience the "electrical jolt" thing.
Shamrock
Hello Girls,
Yes, hope is what we all need. I truly believe we can find the answer to this thing as long as we keep communicating.
Sammad, I get the electrical shock too, sort a startle response that comes with the jerk and I think this is an interesting (and annoying) part of this thing. I have read so many posts from people experiencing this and there seems to be a common theme. ANXIETY AND STRESS.
Shamrock, doesn't it seem that most everyone who posts has or has had a history of anxiety and stress? Stress is a sneaky monster and is very cummulative. Sometimes you are under stress and you don't even know it. We women take on SO much in our lives and find it so hard to say no. We feel like we should do it all and we are also very hard on ourselves(not to mention the hormones!)
I have been reading alot about our condition and about stress and axiety. I have very carefully recalled every detail of what was going on in my life when this started. When I lay it out its amazing that I didn't end up with a complete nervous breakdown. On second thought, maybe I did. Here's what was going on:
I was layed off from a very high paying executive position with a
fortune 500 company. My husband, who is a pilot with a major US airline was under threat of furlough in the prolonged wake of September 11th (another whole set of stresses). One month later, I lost my best friend in a car accident. In the midst of all this I interviewed and I accepted a new position (that under the circumstances I felt like I had to take) with another large company that required us to sell our beautiful new home we had just built and move 4 hours away from our hometown. My ex-husband, whom with I have a son, hired an attorney to try to keep me from taking my son with us. In the meantime I was commuting to the new job during the week, driving home on the weekends, orchestrating buying a new home, the move, school registrations, etc and as if that wasn't enough, my Mom had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Any wonder why I couldn't sleep?
The jerks came on after I had developed sleep anxiety. Knowing I had to get up and go perform at a new heavy duty job when I couldn't sleep was overwhelming to me. I dreaded going to bed. I struggled through the days. I remember laying awake in the hotel where I was staying during the week and listening to my heart pound and calling my Dad crying that I couldn't sleep. He's a doctor and prescribed ambien. It didn't work and he sent me to an internist who after alot of consultation and tests prescribed prozac. The prozac took the edge off and seemed to get me through and after a few months when things settled down I weened myself off. The jerks sort of became background noise. Sometimes bothersome, especially before my period, but mostly not too bad. After a year of living away we decided to come home. I gave up my position and came home to help care for my Mom until she passed away last June. Honestly, after such a long illness, I was relieved for her when she passed, she had suffered so much and amazingly I handled it ok (or so or thought)
8 months later, life was going well. My husband"s career was stable, I was staying home with the kids, walking them to school in the morning, working out, eating well, sleeping great and WHAM! We got sued over a stupid situation in which we were an innocent third party. It required an expensive attorney and lots and lots of stress and aggravation. Not the worst thing in the world but enough to blow the lid off my dormant stress. It started with waking up at 4 am, soon the jerks came back with a vengence.
I apologize for this long, drawn out post but I thought this was all relevent. I do believe this is a stress and anxiety based thing. I think physical things can trigger or aggravate it(hormones, diet, mineral and vitamin balance, excess caffiene, excess sugar). I think stess may deplete our bodily resources but at the end of the day I think the basis is stress and anxiety that causes insomnia that, in turn, results in sleep anxiety.
Recently I have tried to become very objective about this thing. At night, as I try to fall asleep, I try to just observe my falling asleep process. It's very hard but I try not to react to the jerks. It's not a cure but I think it may be a start. Some articles I have read say that a hyper-awareness of the falling asleep process develops with sleep anxiety and we overreact to the transition from light sleep to the next stage. The mayo clinic says the body and mind can become confused when it comes to sleep. Anxiety keeps the mind awake while the body is trying to go to sleep. I think both of these things sound valid. The good thing is that it sounds like these things can be corrected. We just have to find the method.
I'm not sure what the answer is but I find that when I eat low carb, stay up on my vitamins, keep my electrolytes in balance, am not premenstral, am not fatigued and sleep deprived, and am not under stress that this thing is not an issue. Easy to say, and hard to find that balance but all of these things seem to have an impact. Is it so much to ask that we women cut ourselves some slack and take care of our physical and psychological needs? No, it's not, but we seem to have a hard time doing it.
It's after 2:30 am and I'm off to observe my jerks (LOL!) I'm not awake because I can't sleep, just adjusting from a business trip that took me to a different time zone! (yes, I'm working again!) Anyway, sorry for the long post. Therapy, I guess! Hard to find people who understand, as I'm sure you both know. Let's keep supporting each other. We'll beat this thing!
Lele Bug
Yes, hope is what we all need. I truly believe we can find the answer to this thing as long as we keep communicating.
Sammad, I get the electrical shock too, sort a startle response that comes with the jerk and I think this is an interesting (and annoying) part of this thing. I have read so many posts from people experiencing this and there seems to be a common theme. ANXIETY AND STRESS.
Shamrock, doesn't it seem that most everyone who posts has or has had a history of anxiety and stress? Stress is a sneaky monster and is very cummulative. Sometimes you are under stress and you don't even know it. We women take on SO much in our lives and find it so hard to say no. We feel like we should do it all and we are also very hard on ourselves(not to mention the hormones!)
I have been reading alot about our condition and about stress and axiety. I have very carefully recalled every detail of what was going on in my life when this started. When I lay it out its amazing that I didn't end up with a complete nervous breakdown. On second thought, maybe I did. Here's what was going on:
I was layed off from a very high paying executive position with a
fortune 500 company. My husband, who is a pilot with a major US airline was under threat of furlough in the prolonged wake of September 11th (another whole set of stresses). One month later, I lost my best friend in a car accident. In the midst of all this I interviewed and I accepted a new position (that under the circumstances I felt like I had to take) with another large company that required us to sell our beautiful new home we had just built and move 4 hours away from our hometown. My ex-husband, whom with I have a son, hired an attorney to try to keep me from taking my son with us. In the meantime I was commuting to the new job during the week, driving home on the weekends, orchestrating buying a new home, the move, school registrations, etc and as if that wasn't enough, my Mom had just been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Any wonder why I couldn't sleep?
The jerks came on after I had developed sleep anxiety. Knowing I had to get up and go perform at a new heavy duty job when I couldn't sleep was overwhelming to me. I dreaded going to bed. I struggled through the days. I remember laying awake in the hotel where I was staying during the week and listening to my heart pound and calling my Dad crying that I couldn't sleep. He's a doctor and prescribed ambien. It didn't work and he sent me to an internist who after alot of consultation and tests prescribed prozac. The prozac took the edge off and seemed to get me through and after a few months when things settled down I weened myself off. The jerks sort of became background noise. Sometimes bothersome, especially before my period, but mostly not too bad. After a year of living away we decided to come home. I gave up my position and came home to help care for my Mom until she passed away last June. Honestly, after such a long illness, I was relieved for her when she passed, she had suffered so much and amazingly I handled it ok (or so or thought)
8 months later, life was going well. My husband"s career was stable, I was staying home with the kids, walking them to school in the morning, working out, eating well, sleeping great and WHAM! We got sued over a stupid situation in which we were an innocent third party. It required an expensive attorney and lots and lots of stress and aggravation. Not the worst thing in the world but enough to blow the lid off my dormant stress. It started with waking up at 4 am, soon the jerks came back with a vengence.
I apologize for this long, drawn out post but I thought this was all relevent. I do believe this is a stress and anxiety based thing. I think physical things can trigger or aggravate it(hormones, diet, mineral and vitamin balance, excess caffiene, excess sugar). I think stess may deplete our bodily resources but at the end of the day I think the basis is stress and anxiety that causes insomnia that, in turn, results in sleep anxiety.
Recently I have tried to become very objective about this thing. At night, as I try to fall asleep, I try to just observe my falling asleep process. It's very hard but I try not to react to the jerks. It's not a cure but I think it may be a start. Some articles I have read say that a hyper-awareness of the falling asleep process develops with sleep anxiety and we overreact to the transition from light sleep to the next stage. The mayo clinic says the body and mind can become confused when it comes to sleep. Anxiety keeps the mind awake while the body is trying to go to sleep. I think both of these things sound valid. The good thing is that it sounds like these things can be corrected. We just have to find the method.
I'm not sure what the answer is but I find that when I eat low carb, stay up on my vitamins, keep my electrolytes in balance, am not premenstral, am not fatigued and sleep deprived, and am not under stress that this thing is not an issue. Easy to say, and hard to find that balance but all of these things seem to have an impact. Is it so much to ask that we women cut ourselves some slack and take care of our physical and psychological needs? No, it's not, but we seem to have a hard time doing it.
It's after 2:30 am and I'm off to observe my jerks (LOL!) I'm not awake because I can't sleep, just adjusting from a business trip that took me to a different time zone! (yes, I'm working again!) Anyway, sorry for the long post. Therapy, I guess! Hard to find people who understand, as I'm sure you both know. Let's keep supporting each other. We'll beat this thing!
Lele Bug
A related discussion, Hypnic jerks/ propriospinal myoclonus discussion with Lele bug and shamrock continued was started.
A related discussion, Does requip work for proprospinal myoclonis? was started.
I've been suffering from these jolts the last 2 nites in a row and here and there etleast a good month. I've read a lot of your forum and its realy helped. This started mostly after I started medication "celexa". I had to start taking that along w/another because of an extreme panic attack I endured right before Christmas because of some serious stress. I drink vodka too much and getting help for that soon; hence I only get jolts if I'm awaken during nite @ whatever time. But the jolts are relentless! And I just try to sleep a few jolts then just give up. Please someone talk to me. I'm able to fall asleep (probibly the alcohol) witch I'm gonna quit! But if I wake up for any reason wham! There back. Someone help, my email is hangn.***@****
A related discussion, Hypnic Jerks was started.
Hi all,
I'm new here. Just started experiencing these jerks steady for the last few weeks. Only happens when I am about to fall asleep. EVERYTIME. So for the first few nights I didn't get any sleep. Very depressing. I found that taking .5 mg of ativan everynight stops the jerks completely. I end up sleeping sometimes 9 hours. Problem is that it makes me groggy all day. Just cut down to half a dose and it worked, but still groggy. I'm seeing a holistic doctor who believes it's hormones. I'm 48 and in peri-menopause. He wants me off the ativan but I'm not giving it up until I find a natural answer.
Lost my job a few months ago and need to get back to work but can't cuz I'm so tired. Also about to lose my health insurance. Scary and stressful.
My reg med doc says the jerks's are nothing serious because I only get them when I'm about to fall alseep. He thinks they are caused by stress.
Still contining my holistic approach to heal this problem. If I find a solution I'll share it with all of you. Thank you for all your information and direction.
Lele, I know a few people who have had brain tumors and years later after surgery are all doing great and are exceptionally healthy. I admire your strength. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
I'm new here. Just started experiencing these jerks steady for the last few weeks. Only happens when I am about to fall asleep. EVERYTIME. So for the first few nights I didn't get any sleep. Very depressing. I found that taking .5 mg of ativan everynight stops the jerks completely. I end up sleeping sometimes 9 hours. Problem is that it makes me groggy all day. Just cut down to half a dose and it worked, but still groggy. I'm seeing a holistic doctor who believes it's hormones. I'm 48 and in peri-menopause. He wants me off the ativan but I'm not giving it up until I find a natural answer.
Lost my job a few months ago and need to get back to work but can't cuz I'm so tired. Also about to lose my health insurance. Scary and stressful.
My reg med doc says the jerks's are nothing serious because I only get them when I'm about to fall alseep. He thinks they are caused by stress.
Still contining my holistic approach to heal this problem. If I find a solution I'll share it with all of you. Thank you for all your information and direction.
Lele, I know a few people who have had brain tumors and years later after surgery are all doing great and are exceptionally healthy. I admire your strength. You are an inspiration. Thank you.
Thanks Lele for your gift of determination. I won't give up either because I refuse to go through my life with this. Has anyone tried a Chiropractor? And has anyone had these symptoms...fast heart beat and a feeling like you drank 100 cups of coffee?
Hello there,
Thanks for the kind words. I am really confident that things will be ok. I know that through all of this there will be an answer, a clearly clinical one, to this thing we have. I am commited to getting to the bottom of it. I won't give up, you don't give up either.
Lou, I was thinking about your insurance application. You may have a waiting period regarding pre-existing conditions. Just make sure you check that out. If you need my help with the other options please let me know.
Blessings to all,
Lele
Thanks for the kind words. I am really confident that things will be ok. I know that through all of this there will be an answer, a clearly clinical one, to this thing we have. I am commited to getting to the bottom of it. I won't give up, you don't give up either.
Lou, I was thinking about your insurance application. You may have a waiting period regarding pre-existing conditions. Just make sure you check that out. If you need my help with the other options please let me know.
Blessings to all,
Lele
Hi Lou,
Thanks for all your kind words. I am very optimistic that all will turn out well. I have a wonderful family and group of friends that are very supportive. I am sure I will be fine.
I was talking to my sister yesterday and she mentioned that she works with a christian organization that arranges medical care for working people that do not have access to medical insurance like artists. If you can tell me what city you are in I can have her check to see which is closest to you. She said it is somewhat of a chore to get qualified but once you are it's great. You can get all of your MRIs, surgeries etc. for very little.
I feel certain that we are on the right track with this thing. I may have to address this tumor before I can get this nerve compression taken care of but I will know alot more this week. I'll keep you posted. It looks like our thread on this forum is about to drop off into the archives so we may need to start a new one soon so keep an eye out for that.
Hope things get beter for you in the meantime and you can get some sleep. Try the melatonin again. I've had some good results with that at 3-6 mgs.
Take care,
Lele
Thanks for all your kind words. I am very optimistic that all will turn out well. I have a wonderful family and group of friends that are very supportive. I am sure I will be fine.
I was talking to my sister yesterday and she mentioned that she works with a christian organization that arranges medical care for working people that do not have access to medical insurance like artists. If you can tell me what city you are in I can have her check to see which is closest to you. She said it is somewhat of a chore to get qualified but once you are it's great. You can get all of your MRIs, surgeries etc. for very little.
I feel certain that we are on the right track with this thing. I may have to address this tumor before I can get this nerve compression taken care of but I will know alot more this week. I'll keep you posted. It looks like our thread on this forum is about to drop off into the archives so we may need to start a new one soon so keep an eye out for that.
Hope things get beter for you in the meantime and you can get some sleep. Try the melatonin again. I've had some good results with that at 3-6 mgs.
Take care,
Lele
Thanks, Lele.
I just sent off an application to an insurance company. I should here something back from that soon. Thanks for the offer from your sister. I'll let you know if they decline me.
Funny you should mention the melatonin. I read online about it helping for children with propriospinal myoclonus. I thought I'd try it again.
Melatonin and a little wine put me to sleep last night. I slept 6 hours and woke up at 5am. The jerks started up. I took another small dose of melatonin and was able to fall back to sleep for another 3 hours.
I haven't slept that long in a week.
Good luck this week.
Thanks for keeping me informed.
I'll keep my eye out for the thread to run out.
-Lou
I just sent off an application to an insurance company. I should here something back from that soon. Thanks for the offer from your sister. I'll let you know if they decline me.
Funny you should mention the melatonin. I read online about it helping for children with propriospinal myoclonus. I thought I'd try it again.
Melatonin and a little wine put me to sleep last night. I slept 6 hours and woke up at 5am. The jerks started up. I took another small dose of melatonin and was able to fall back to sleep for another 3 hours.
I haven't slept that long in a week.
Good luck this week.
Thanks for keeping me informed.
I'll keep my eye out for the thread to run out.
-Lou
Hi Lou,
I forgot to answer your question about other symptoms.
I really don't have any other nerve compression symptoms other than I have some neck pain. Mine also pops and has a grinding sound when I move my head back and forth. Hope that helps
Lele
I forgot to answer your question about other symptoms.
I really don't have any other nerve compression symptoms other than I have some neck pain. Mine also pops and has a grinding sound when I move my head back and forth. Hope that helps
Lele
Hi Lele and Shamrock,
Lele,
Thank you for sharing your results.
I
Lele,
Thank you for sharing your results.
I
Hello Lou and Shamrock,
I have some news. I am hoping that I am on the verge of an answer. Here it is.
I went to see a Neurologist. I was having some headaches and other symptoms along with the sleep problem . He ordered an MRI of the spine and the brain.
In the meantime I had found something interesting on the web. Here it is:
Propriospinal Myoclonus of Sleep Onset
What is it?
These are sudden, rapid, shock-like muscle contractions. They occur with variable regularity and in a changing pattern. These sudden muscle jerks occur when you are relaxed and close to falling asleep.
The muscle jerks are only rarely triggered by noise or external sources. They disappear as soon as you fall asleep or become mentally alert. Only rarely do they occur when you are awake during the night or in the morning.
Movements tend to occur in the chest and abdomen. They then spread along the spine to the arms, legs and neck. The intensity of the muscle jerks may vary. They may come and go. They may also occur in clusters separated by long gaps of time. You do not normally make any vocal sounds when they occur.
This disorder can make it very hard for you to fall asleep. This results in symptoms of insomnia. Injury to oneself or to a bed partner has been known to occur.
It is sometimes confused with normal
I have some news. I am hoping that I am on the verge of an answer. Here it is.
I went to see a Neurologist. I was having some headaches and other symptoms along with the sleep problem . He ordered an MRI of the spine and the brain.
In the meantime I had found something interesting on the web. Here it is:
Propriospinal Myoclonus of Sleep Onset
What is it?
These are sudden, rapid, shock-like muscle contractions. They occur with variable regularity and in a changing pattern. These sudden muscle jerks occur when you are relaxed and close to falling asleep.
The muscle jerks are only rarely triggered by noise or external sources. They disappear as soon as you fall asleep or become mentally alert. Only rarely do they occur when you are awake during the night or in the morning.
Movements tend to occur in the chest and abdomen. They then spread along the spine to the arms, legs and neck. The intensity of the muscle jerks may vary. They may come and go. They may also occur in clusters separated by long gaps of time. You do not normally make any vocal sounds when they occur.
This disorder can make it very hard for you to fall asleep. This results in symptoms of insomnia. Injury to oneself or to a bed partner has been known to occur.
It is sometimes confused with normal
Hi Lou....Sorry to hear they're back. But I must say I'm not surprised because from my own experience this is pretty typical.
I'm also sorry to hear about the twitching during the day. I used to have twitching in my calves during the day and evening whenever I relaxed, kind of in the fetal position when I would lay on the sofa and watch TV. I got these the same time in my life when the hypnic jerks started at night. The twitching in my calves is still with me but not constantly. Sometimes it will bother me but I think I've just learned to live with it over the years.
I had an ultrasound, an EEG and a MRI. All proved nothing. Even the two sleep studies I had just said I moved around alot. I eventually found a doctor that listened very intently to me as I described the jerks and knew what I was talking about. I was prescibed medication which helped immensely.
I would suggest you find a good neurologist that specializes in sleep disorders. That's what I did. Do you have a renown facility near where you live? I drive almost 4 hours to see my neurologist and it is worth it. Just a suggestion.
Good luck...Shamrock
I'm also sorry to hear about the twitching during the day. I used to have twitching in my calves during the day and evening whenever I relaxed, kind of in the fetal position when I would lay on the sofa and watch TV. I got these the same time in my life when the hypnic jerks started at night. The twitching in my calves is still with me but not constantly. Sometimes it will bother me but I think I've just learned to live with it over the years.
I had an ultrasound, an EEG and a MRI. All proved nothing. Even the two sleep studies I had just said I moved around alot. I eventually found a doctor that listened very intently to me as I described the jerks and knew what I was talking about. I was prescibed medication which helped immensely.
I would suggest you find a good neurologist that specializes in sleep disorders. That's what I did. Do you have a renown facility near where you live? I drive almost 4 hours to see my neurologist and it is worth it. Just a suggestion.
Good luck...Shamrock
Hi All,
Well, here I am again.
It is getting worse. I have had two nights in one week without sleeping at all.
It's mainly twitching in my hands,lower arms and chest. It's happening as soon as I relax a bit rather than just as I'm about to sleep. Every five minutes or so , all night long. I'm getting a few large jerks a swell. I have a constant twitch in my right forearm during the day. I have tried ice packs which make it go away temporarily.
Over the counter sleeping pills have not helped. I took one last night and was still up the entire night.
My family doctor suggested I see a Neurologist. he said it sounds like something is pushing on a nerve. However, I have no pain in back or anywhere.
My only symptoms are the twitching.No headaches, muscle weakness, slurred speach.
I'm wondering what I might expect to have done when I visit the Nerologist.
I am without insurance. Can anyone give me an idea of which tests might be done from your own experiences?
Is an MRI a first step or a last one?
lou
Well, here I am again.
It is getting worse. I have had two nights in one week without sleeping at all.
It's mainly twitching in my hands,lower arms and chest. It's happening as soon as I relax a bit rather than just as I'm about to sleep. Every five minutes or so , all night long. I'm getting a few large jerks a swell. I have a constant twitch in my right forearm during the day. I have tried ice packs which make it go away temporarily.
Over the counter sleeping pills have not helped. I took one last night and was still up the entire night.
My family doctor suggested I see a Neurologist. he said it sounds like something is pushing on a nerve. However, I have no pain in back or anywhere.
My only symptoms are the twitching.No headaches, muscle weakness, slurred speach.
I'm wondering what I might expect to have done when I visit the Nerologist.
I am without insurance. Can anyone give me an idea of which tests might be done from your own experiences?
Is an MRI a first step or a last one?
lou
I have read this and past forums recently. Thanks to all that made postings it sure helped me understand what I was experiencing. I am 54 year young female that started with the sleep starts that jerked me back from sleep just as I was drifting off about 2 1/2 years ago. This gradually led to mild muscle tics then do pronounced jerks that would wake me up in the night. I also take HRT and have taken medication for adult ADD for 11 years. The onset seemed to be when I switched from the Ritalin for my ADD to Straterra, a newer non-stimulant drug for ADD. I experienced a change in my sleep in that I seemed to spend the whole night in active dreaming and I was aware of this as I slept. Prior to this I rarely was aware that I was dreaming although I'm sure I did. To complicate the problem, it was right about around this time that I stopped my period so I'm not clear if the change in sleep was due to the medication change or the hormonal change. I do know that even after I switched back to Ritalin, the symptoms didn't go away. I finally stopped taking any ADD medication at all for a few months and went to my doctor with the symptoms. The reason I stopped the ADD meds was because I wanted to rule that out as the problem. He gave a preliminary diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome and send me for a sleep study. The study confirmed that I was spending a disproportionate amount of time in sleep stages 1 & 2 and not enough in 3 & 4. This explained why I was so tired and exhausted all the time. He prescribed Requip and I have been taking it for about 2 months. I looked up Restless Leg Syndrome and didn't feel that was the correct diagnosis so did more research and after reading these postings am sure that I have Hypnic Jerks and possibly PLMS. The thing is that I experience the muscle jerks primarily in my shoulder area although sometimes in other areas. The Requip seems to help and I am sleeping better but I am noticing it is inconsistent and that there is a cycle to this. I still feel symptoms of ovulation every month and it seems that when this happens I
suddenly get super charged with energy and am still wired at night when I want to go to bed. I will often lay awake for several hours. As the month goes on this gradually lessens until I am sleeping okay but then I start to experience tiredness earlier and earlier in the evening. As I said it seems to be cyclical but it has only been two months so I will have to evaluate it more. I don't think that my symptoms are affected by stress. I'm thinking that my sleep level is the problem since most people seem to have these jerks. I can't believe how many I have told this to who say that occasionally have hypnic jerks. They only become a problem for me because I believe my sleep isn't deep enough. Whether this is caused my hormones, aging (sigh), or ADD I don't know. I was wondering if anyone else with ADD saw any patterns like this or if the onset of menopause changed things. For now at least I am getting some sleep so I am not going to stress out about it too much since it seems there isn't much I can do about it at this point. Seems like there are lots of different reasons that people experience this but I personally know how it can affect the quality of life. Good luck to those of you that are still trying to find what works.
suddenly get super charged with energy and am still wired at night when I want to go to bed. I will often lay awake for several hours. As the month goes on this gradually lessens until I am sleeping okay but then I start to experience tiredness earlier and earlier in the evening. As I said it seems to be cyclical but it has only been two months so I will have to evaluate it more. I don't think that my symptoms are affected by stress. I'm thinking that my sleep level is the problem since most people seem to have these jerks. I can't believe how many I have told this to who say that occasionally have hypnic jerks. They only become a problem for me because I believe my sleep isn't deep enough. Whether this is caused my hormones, aging (sigh), or ADD I don't know. I was wondering if anyone else with ADD saw any patterns like this or if the onset of menopause changed things. For now at least I am getting some sleep so I am not going to stress out about it too much since it seems there isn't much I can do about it at this point. Seems like there are lots of different reasons that people experience this but I personally know how it can affect the quality of life. Good luck to those of you that are still trying to find what works.
Lou....Good for you. Congratulations! Enjoy your sleep...Shamrock
Hi Lele,
Thanks for inquiring about me.
Hope you are doing well.
Anyhow, I found some info on the net that said that prolonged use of benedryl can cause twitching or jerking at night.
I stopped the drug and my jerks dissapeared for 2 weeks.
I then went on a short vacation where I had to sleep on an air mattress. The Jerks came back but disappeared when I went back home. It must have something to do with a comfortable bed after all.
I still get them once in awhile in the morning. Over all, I'm doing much better.
Stress in definately a factor.
Good luck to all.
Lou
Thanks for inquiring about me.
Hope you are doing well.
Anyhow, I found some info on the net that said that prolonged use of benedryl can cause twitching or jerking at night.
I stopped the drug and my jerks dissapeared for 2 weeks.
I then went on a short vacation where I had to sleep on an air mattress. The Jerks came back but disappeared when I went back home. It must have something to do with a comfortable bed after all.
I still get them once in awhile in the morning. Over all, I'm doing much better.
Stress in definately a factor.
Good luck to all.
Lou
I am 46 male, athletic. Jerks started hitting me 3 months ago just as was falling asleep. In that limbo of not asleep, but on the way, yet aware. One night it's a leg moving, another it is an electric "jolt" upper body. Lasts a second or millisecond. Then in am, upon waking, sometimes a slow rise of a finger or a slight jerk. Drives you nuts. Good luck all with the sports drinks. I drink a propel daily (avoiding the high sodium and sugar in gatorade) with no effect. The jerks actually started about the time I started the propel ironically.
My internist has me on 1 mg of Klonopin. That gets me to sleep. Some nights, no jerks before falling off, some nights a jerk or two. I take the pill about 30 min. before bed. Wine has the same effect but with wine I wake up in mid of night often, unlike with the drug.
When you first google these symptoms you get parkinson's and als concerns, but, apparently, these things are happening to normal healthy folks.
My internist has me on 1 mg of Klonopin. That gets me to sleep. Some nights, no jerks before falling off, some nights a jerk or two. I take the pill about 30 min. before bed. Wine has the same effect but with wine I wake up in mid of night often, unlike with the drug.
When you first google these symptoms you get parkinson's and als concerns, but, apparently, these things are happening to normal healthy folks.
Hello everyone,
Was reading this thread with interest. Sounds to me like what you all are describing is more than hypnic jerks, but rather PLMD (periodic limb/leg movement disorder). I think that hypnic jerks happen just as you are falling asleep and don't usually bother much. But PLMD is another matter, jerks over and over again, and in my case electric feelings as well. And also in the morning and almost anytime I sit or try to rest.
I also have restless leg syndrome, and a lot of folks with RLS also have PLMD.
The good news is that some of the medications such as Mirapex and Requip can really help both of these maladies (but not always).
I think you all are on the right track with minerals such as magnesium and low carbs and low sugar etc. And yes indeedy, stress plays a big role for me also.
Wish you all good luck. It's difficult to deal with.
Was reading this thread with interest. Sounds to me like what you all are describing is more than hypnic jerks, but rather PLMD (periodic limb/leg movement disorder). I think that hypnic jerks happen just as you are falling asleep and don't usually bother much. But PLMD is another matter, jerks over and over again, and in my case electric feelings as well. And also in the morning and almost anytime I sit or try to rest.
I also have restless leg syndrome, and a lot of folks with RLS also have PLMD.
The good news is that some of the medications such as Mirapex and Requip can really help both of these maladies (but not always).
I think you all are on the right track with minerals such as magnesium and low carbs and low sugar etc. And yes indeedy, stress plays a big role for me also.
Wish you all good luck. It's difficult to deal with.
Hi Lou,
Was just wondering how you were doing......Let me know.
Lele
Was just wondering how you were doing......Let me know.
Lele
Thanks Lele!,
I'll give it all a try. Cut out the caffeine and sugar. I dont smoke. I'll give the doctor a call too.
I can't say that I'm stressed about anything out of the ordinary. Just the usual everyday stuff. No big event that started this. The only thing I can think of is that I had bad seasonal allegies and was taking alot of benedryl.
Have a good week,
Lou
I'll give it all a try. Cut out the caffeine and sugar. I dont smoke. I'll give the doctor a call too.
I can't say that I'm stressed about anything out of the ordinary. Just the usual everyday stuff. No big event that started this. The only thing I can think of is that I had bad seasonal allegies and was taking alot of benedryl.
Have a good week,
Lou
Hello Again.
Well, I guess I jumped the gun.
I've had 3 bad nights in a row. Unable to fall asleep. Up most of the night. I've been a daytime Zombie.
I read about taking Magnesium which I did yesterday.
Last night I finally fell asleep with no problem. No wine either.
Slept from 11pm-7am. I tried to sleep longer but the jerks came back this morning..
Hands, legs, torso, neck. It just kept jumping around. It's bizzare. They seemed stronger and more often.
Does this morning jerking happen to you Lele Bug, or anyone else who's reading?
I'm trying very hard to stay relaxed about this.
I'm working on the breathing you suggested and am making my bed more comfortable.
I really don't want to see a nuerologist. It sounds like a waste of time from all that I have read. Plus, I am an artist and have no insurance.
Any other suggestions?
thanks,
Lou
Well, I guess I jumped the gun.
I've had 3 bad nights in a row. Unable to fall asleep. Up most of the night. I've been a daytime Zombie.
I read about taking Magnesium which I did yesterday.
Last night I finally fell asleep with no problem. No wine either.
Slept from 11pm-7am. I tried to sleep longer but the jerks came back this morning..
Hands, legs, torso, neck. It just kept jumping around. It's bizzare. They seemed stronger and more often.
Does this morning jerking happen to you Lele Bug, or anyone else who's reading?
I'm trying very hard to stay relaxed about this.
I'm working on the breathing you suggested and am making my bed more comfortable.
I really don't want to see a nuerologist. It sounds like a waste of time from all that I have read. Plus, I am an artist and have no insurance.
Any other suggestions?
thanks,
Lou
You are reading content posted in the Neurology Forum
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
