Myoclonic Jerk

Question

So, the night before last, I turned over and woke up holding my breath...for some reason, felt like my heart stopped so naturally the control freak in me jumps out of bed...my heart was beating so fast my apex area was sore yesterday and both ears were pounding so hard, it was like I had just ran a mile in 100 degree heat (I live in Southeast Texas so I do know that kind of heat). I was extremely lightheaded, had the terrible urge to urinate, cotton-mouth, etc. The entire incident was over in 6 minutes thanks to my sweet hubby who I now call Dr. Bob. I went to the doctor yesterday and he told me it was a myoclonic (I may be spelling or pronouncing that wrong) jerk. Most people get that jerk when they are almost asleep...a few he said will go into a seizure. Everytime this happens, your body produces a jolt of adrenaline and God know I have way too much of that. He said I reacted to the adrenaline I was feeling. I was taking 12.5 of atenolol. He said the treatment for too much adrenaline is the bet-blocker, so he increased my dose to 25 mg. I am feeling it today...which actually may be a good thing. It has really slowed me down, which really is what I need. Does anyone else have this? I do have nocturnal panic attacks, I have gone into a-fib during sleep, but this was just tachy (I didn't count) and so forceful.He does want to do another 24-hr. urine to make sure I'm not producing too many catecholamines. Last time they checked that was 8 years ago. Same symptoms...new year...still no fun!

Sheanean · Answer

I was diagnosed with MS and neurocardiogenic syncope. The NCS is an autonomic disorder. This is what causes the urge to pee. Also may experience zips and zaps and a strange clicking to the heart rhythm. I've experienced this terrifying adrenal zip when drifting off for 12 years. Nadalol helped but it impairs thyroid function over time.  I'm approaching it from a different direction. Through diet. Eliminated all artificial sweeteners and fluoride, replaced all silver mercury amalgams and now,  I'm doing a 30 day diet called "the Whole 30". It's much like the paleontology diet. No sugar, dairy, gluten or processed food. I've been talking adrenal and thyroid nourishing supplements. All I have left is to quit smoking. Every time I try, my autonomic system becomes more messed up.  Can't sleep or poop and I gain weight. I'm not a snacker either. Inflammation in the blood causes it to be thick and it irritates the vascular system. The adrenals are overworked and stop producing the needed corticosteroids to keep inflammation down. 500 mg daily of Magnesium, at least 300 MG a day potassium, silica, d 5000 Mcg  with k mk7, adequate sodium and plenty of water. Vitamin c, the b's and ashwaganda for the adrenals and thyroid.

DeltaDawn23 · Answer

The cotton mouth makes me think of sleep apnea, the urge to urininate A-Fib or the adrenaline rush.  

Good luck!

rilesnic · Answer

I think your right. I think when I'm awake, I realize what's going on with the adrenaline rush, heart palps, etc. When I'm falling asleep, it startles me. I'm a bit of a control freak. I can't stand to not be in control...something I'm working on..lol. I do have the "jerk" often, but there seems to always be different symptoms with it. The end result is often the same...panic. The extra half of atenolol seems to be helping though. I've always taken it at night. I'm not near as jittery or nervous...still feeling PVC's, but I've seemed to slow down a bit, and it has only been 2 days! I do have asthma, so I'll have to keep an eye on that...but so far, so good. Glad I'm not alone with these scary feelings.Thanks for responding!

itdood · Answer

p.s., this feeling has always happened just as I start to drift off.  on the times it happened to, it would occur multiple times, each time as I w as drifting off.  Then the next thing I knew i was waking up from a great night's sleep.  So I didn't die or anything :-)

itdood · Answer

That happens to me sometimes, the feeling like I woke up holding my breath.  I wake up in a "startled" state is the best way I can describe it, and I feel the need to catch my breath.   Not very often at all. I don't freak out over it so I don't get tachy.  I think you scared yourself right into the tachy by panicking.  Panic alone can push a HR to as high as 190 for some folks.  But you would know better than I.

I thought it was some form of apnea for me.  But it's too transient to catch so I don't know.  I very rarely snore.

I'm always telling peeps about Myoclonic jerks, most have never heard of them. 

No worries.  It's normal.  and I'm usually a worrier.  The breath hold feeling thingy will pass.  For me it usually lasts for 5-10 nights in a row if I recall correctly.