Having sudden jerks when trying to fall asleep

[Shanna707]

I am on Morphine CR for RA and have noticed that it gives me a side effect of having sudden jerks that occur in my legs and arms mostly, but have even noticed in other areas such as abdoman or neck.  It somewhat reminds of restless leg syndrome, but not quite because it's all extremities and it's more like that jerk when your about to fall asleep that brings you abruptly out of sleep.  It went on almost all night last night so I don't think I got much REM sleep if any which is crucial for healing.  I can't go off the morphine so I'm looking for something natural/Alternative that I could use integratively with the morphine to either stop, lessen, or sooth these jerks when I try to relax.  It doesn't happen to me when I'm up and active, only when I try to lie or sometimes sit still and relax.

Please if anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I already have some insomnia so this added interference to my sleep is very unwanted.

Any suggestions M4

[peggy64]

I was going to recommend magnesium when I saw the question because a defiency  of this mineral causes muscle jerking. If it resolves the problem, then you have your answer. The morphine could be depleting it from your body. (Did not say it did, said it could be, so PLEASE no attacks on my comment, guys)

If you do not want to ingest magnesium, then you can do what I do sometimes. Soak in epsoms salt. I do not have the attention span to lay in a tub, so I soak my feet while I watch tv. Plus that way, you don't get the laxitive effect.

[M4Y0U]

Citrus, especially grapes or grapefruit juices will increase the potency of many drugs including morphine.

Yes indeed malate is way better than oxide for absorption but like i said it haves a price and it's the kidneys. Therefore this is why when i say bioavailabilty for oxide is better because it it's all around us and in our food etc. Malate is well absorbed and so is magnesium based on amino acid chelates, such as glycinate, lysinate etc. The reason you would want to take oxide or citrate is for enhanced laxative proprieties due to the absorption being not so well and i know morphine can cause constipation. Oh and when i said ''For a better absorption i recommend MgO and it also have laxative proprieties better to take as a supplement for long term use ( way better bioavailability )'' i meant magnesium citrate instead of MgO, seems like got used to write MgO lol

[Shanna707]

Thanks for letting me know that your son had the same jerks/twitching and DR confirmed it was from the morphine.  I feel very firmly that is the cause. If you ask a pharmacist, they'll say it's not exactly listed that way but other neurological issues such as tremors are listed as side effects';therefore, it is known to affect the neurological system which is a good enough indication to me that it is highly likely to affect some with the jerking, which is just a more sudden and more powerful tremor when you think about it!
This has been quite the learning opportunity and again I thank all who participated.  You've been a great help  to me.      Shanna

[Shanna707]

I talked to a naturopath today and was prescribed Magnesium Malate, which he believe is absorbed even better than the magnesium citrate, but he said he would advise the magnesium citrate over magnesium oxide any day.  So I'll let you know how that works for me.  He also recommended  Zyflamend p.m. by NEWCHAPTER  for better pain contol and sleep at night.  It aides is normal cardiovascular and joint function.  (Since I have RA that causes alot of pain at night and when I wake up in the am, I'm hoping this will help a little.  I informed the naturopath of all script meds I'm on too.  The Zyflamend p.m. has holy basil, turmeric, baikal skullcap, melissa leaf, chamomile, hops, ginger, and valerian.  I was glad to see it had turmeric and valerian in it because I wanted those anyway.  So, we'll see how it goes.  And as far as the FDA not approving these products, that is a whole other debate.  I'm not worried by it because I have my own suspicions as to why they are not approved.  And as far as what they do approve I'm not all that impressed with.  How may drugs have come out approved by the FDA, advertised on t.v. , and then within the year you see commercials asking people to get a hold of law firms if they had certain adverse reactions including death in some situations for some of these so called FDA approved medications.  I've always believed in integrative medicine.

Thanks to all for your comments.  By the way M4 which fruits may increase potency of morphine for future reference it would be good to know.

[M4Y0U]

Personally i take Doctor's Best magnesium/glycinate/lysinate chelate with black pepper extract 200mg x2 in the morning and another x2 before i go to bed.

I know it has very good absorption and like the formula but this is my very biased opinion.

[M4Y0U]

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp#h6

In case you don't want to read all the references.

[M4Y0U]

To avoid any dispute let's have the National Institutes of Health talk and science facts rather than biased opinions.

http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium.asp#ref

Most of the references are from PubMed which the most trusted place to get your references.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pubmed

This should close the debate.

[Paxiled]

Magnesium oxide is considered not well absorbed by most people.  Magnesium citrate or magnesium malate or amino acid chelated forms are all better.  Magnesium oxide is used because it's cheaper, much as calcium carbonate is used -- you get more magnesium and have to take fewer pills, but many believe you get very little absorption.  Also, I didn't mean to say I knew that morphine leaches magnesium out of the system; I know many antidepressants do, but not if opiates do.  What is known is most Americans lack sufficient magnesium because they don't eat enough nutrient-rich vegetables, and because they often take so much calcium without also taking magnesium that the calcium leaches the magnesium out of the body, and with the morphine weakening the body through sedation, metabolism is probably slowed and absorption of nutrients probably affected.  

Now, this dispute between magnesium oxide and other forms and calcium carbonate and other forms isn't settled, by any means.  Practitioners of natural medicine tend to favor going with other forms to play it safe, but allopathic medicine tends to go with whatever's cheaper, believing calcium's calcium and magnesium's magnesium.  I've seen studies go both ways.  I just usually go with caution and say, why gamble just to take two pills instead of four?

[M4Y0U]

The differences between magnesium citrate and magnesium oxide are the molecular formulas and the bioavailability. Magnesium oxide ( MgO ) have a less complicated molecular formula than magnesium citrate ( C-6-H-6-O-7-Mg ) which will result in citrate being a more saline formula and therefore a better laxative but at the cost of kidneys work and less bioavailability. Magnesium citrate supplements should not be taken for prolonged period of time in my humble opinion but will definitely help more with constipation than MgO. For a better absorption i recommend MgO and it also have laxative proprieties better to take as a supplement for long term use ( way better bioavailability ). Magnesium citrate is most likely to cause electrolytes imbalances than MgO.

Don't forget the potassium, calcium, iron and vitamin D if you lack sun exposure. They all work together.

Best regards,
M4

[opus88]

hi Shanna, as you know the morphine has a long history of causing these jerks/twitches, I also have them with oxycontin, I will try more magnesium also!!

[mammo]

Hi, when both my sons had their colons removed, they were on morphine for pain.  The oldest who was 16 had the jerking you speak of, and all his doctors said it was the morphine.

[Shanna707]

Thanks for comments.  I talked to the pharmacist and was told that it's possible but not usual with morphine.  My DR is aware, but the only thing that he would do is change me to methadone which I would rather die in agony than ever try again.  Sometimes you have to find an answer for yourself within reason.  Doctors are not all knowing or even all helpful at times.
I was wondering about the magnesium.  I've been taking magnesium  oxide.  Is the magnesium citrate that much different M4? and would I stop the oxide if I started the citrate kind?  I do take lasix, so it is quite possible that I havn't supplemented enough with the electrolytes that it diminishes when taken.  You could definatly be on the rite track M4.  Mammo I understand your concern and do talk to both my dr and pharmacist plus I am an RN with Pharmacy background so I am aware to be careful with medications!

[M4Y0U]

Good idea to take magnesium. It will reduce your tolerance to opiates and help relaxing muscles and it is essential for other bodily functions to function properly. If you are low on magnesium it could also be a sign of low potassium and calcium too. A good diet is always better than supplements so whole grains, vegetables, legumes, bananas, prune juice ( will also help with morphine constipation ), nuts everyday.

No interactions with any Rx but some fruits can increase the potency of a drug.

Best regards,
M4

[mammo]

Don't take anything without first consulting with your doctor for interactions.

[Paxiled]

Try some magnesium citrate.  Magnesium is responsible for relaxing the muscles; you might be lacking enough.