Thrashing at Night

[sadie405]

I've had this before, but it's come back worse than ever-- I can't seem to stop thrashing at night-- violently, every few seconds. It's "voluntary" in that I jerk my entire body, or kick my legs, or shake my arms, but I feel that I HAVE to. It's one of the worse things I know-- the compulsive inability to be still is awful. I keep trying to breathe and relax my muscles through it, (because normally I have no problem, I absolutely do not have this compulsive need to writhe) and I'll do an extra good thrash, hoping to settle the urge, but a few seconds later it's building up again. Even the sheets felt all wrong against my skin, suddenly gritty and sandy and painful (???) I ended up getting up and taking some neuronin, and walking around the house doing deep breathing,  and eventually I was able to get back into bed and fall asleep. Of course, today I feel awful, as is par for course post-neurontin, but there was no other way.  Has anyone else had this?

[michelleric]

I had this once before while I was in the hospital.  I was given some type of med, that brought on EXACTLY what you are describing.  It was awful.  Finally a nurse came in, I described it, and she changed my med.

It went away completely.  Perhaps you are having an allergic reaction to one of you meds, or a mix of them?  Just a thought.  Allergies can come on at any time.

Michelle

[supermum_ms]

I personally dont have restless leg syndrome, and the closest i can get to understanding it is when I can feel a build up of ??? before my body jerks. I know i'm not making my self jerk but i can see if that prior feeling stuck around, id be trying anything to get it to stop.

This is another of those things that reminds me of Autism, think of the hand flapping, which is an overwhelming need to flap the limb. In Autism there is a major belief that it is a form of 'stim' a repedative, behavioral OCD type of reaction to hightened pleasure or anxiety and the way its dealt with is behaviorally. I and many others on the other hand see it as being part of the sensory issues so there is some merrit in the Autism theory lol

It might be worth trying to distract your self, that could be anything from changing body position to snapping an elastic band around your wrist, its going to be an individual thing that works for you but its trying to do anything other than giving in to the compulsion to thrash, which is what your wanting to stop. Make no mistake its not going to alter the cause but it will theoretically help you alter your reactive behavior to it. Anyway its worth a try if its bothering you.

Cheers.......JJ

btw i'm not saying you have Autism!!!

[Lulu54]

I would follow up on the RLS and talk to your doctor for a sleep study referral if this continues.  Sleep deprivation is the worst and they could get a good understandig of what is going on with you need to thrash about.

here's to a good night's rest,
Lulu

[sadie405]

Thanks for the responses, everyone--
As Jen said, it seems to fit with "Restless Leg Syndrome,"  which was something I made fun of when I first saw a drug commercial for it about 15 years ago--- I thought it was a spoof on excessive drug company marketing.  Little did I know....
:)
Sadie

p.s. am definitely taking neurontin before bed tonight to give it time to kick in. will try 1/4 of a dose because that stuff has me sslllloooowww the next day.

[cainer]

i heard its one of the symptoms for- some- not everyone -gosh you can not control it, it makes you feel like a freak!   but the med helped so much- he even had to feed me before i would jerk -with fork, bad  i wished they could fix this crap!! sorry-  i hope you are all better!!  hugs

[jensequitur]

I don't have it, but I know several people on this forum who do.  I think you're describing Restless Limb Syndrome, which is a buildup of a 'need' to move the limb.  The sufferer will move the leg, and relieve the sensation, but it comes right back.  As Heljell says, psych meds can cause this problem too - but so can neurological damage.

I would definitely talk to the neuro about this.  In the meantime, stay off the nicotine, alcohol and caffeine.

Oh, evidently Neurontin is one of the drugs prescribed to deal with this condition - so I would start taking a neurontin before you go to bed, so it'll be in your system.

[grannyhotwheels]

I take Baclofen and it has pretty much kept it in control... I just hate to hear of anyone going through that... I know exactly what it feels like... So so sorry your going through this... Definitely talk to your doctor about it and I'm sure he/she can give your something that will give you some relief...

I'll be praying,
Carol

[heljell]

what other medications are you on. This could be a side effect of one of them. Off the top of my head reglan and most psych meds can all cause this.

[cainer]

hi!!  yes- its awful!! hate your going through it- they put me on mysoline, it really helped- im on phenababitol now, just cause its cheaper,really same thing-oh yes i thought id throw something out of place!!  no fun, but id get app. made cause well if married ya might knock him out!!  
  hugs!!!