Causes of muscle spasms in REM sleep

[ebonweald]

What can cause muscle spasms in REM sleep?
There is a decided increase in these spasms if I am under a great deal of stress, watch tv or use a computer for a prolonged period, or use scanning equipment that uses a flashing white or red light. (these tend to disorient me a bit during use)
Blood pressure seems to decrease the moment I lay down.
Caffeine products tend to make me drowsy rather than alert.
Very health conscious and take no medications.
About to have an Ambulatory EEG.
Have had a great deal of head trauma during my life, no history of epilepsy, and was wondering if a QEEG should be next choice

[Heiferly]

I was wondering if you might help us out by answering a one-question survey?  If you have a moment, go to the front page (hit the back to community button at the top of this page) and locate the poll about sleep topics. I would love to have your feedback. Thanks, H.

[Heiferly]

The only other thing I can think to ask your neurologist about would be whether the dropping blood pressure could be a sign of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Head trauma is one of the known causes of ANS disorders (aka. "dysautonomia"), but it's a bit of a stretch since it wouldn't account for all of your symptoms. I wish I had a better answer for you.

[ebonweald]

Have had several sleep studies ten years ago after having a stroke, all showing limb movement, with the last one (3 days) the doctor suggested a Quantitative EEG to help determine brain health.
Blood pressure is normally low,108/60, drops to 79/51 supine, for example.
Bloodwork normal. Hypoglycemic.
Current neurologist puzzled, reason for upcoming EEG.
Much head trauma throughout life, from car and motorcycle accidents,long distance falls, explosions,fights. Have some disk damage various positions on spine, none of which affect limb movement.
Also have CAPD or Central Auditory Perception Disorder, where in background noises inhibits brain's ability to process sound intelligibly.

[Heiferly]

There are many different things that could be causing muscle spasms. Do these episodes cause you to awaken? Have you had polysomnography already, and if so, what were the results of that?

I agree that it's important to rule out seizures here. I hope your EEG goes well. I don't know a lot about QEEG, so I can't really answer that question.

Blood pressure being lower when you lie down isn't abnormal unless it's a precipitous drop ... what is your sitting resting blood pressure, and what does it drop to when you're supine?

Has your doctor done bloodwork to rule out electrolyte imbalances? A potassium imbalance in particular can affect the muscles.