Clonus? Should I be concerned?

[topher280]

I'm a 22 year old male, and for about a year I've had an odd symptom.  If I try to move either leg or ankle in certain ways (if I'm lying down and I flex my knee to straighten it, if I'm sitting and slowly raise an extended leg, or I slowly move a relaxed ankle), I get a lot of small jerky reflex-like movements.  It's like I can't make slow, smooth movements.  It doesn't really affect anything I do, but I'm worried it might be a sign.  The only thing I can think of as a cause is several years of heavy-at-times alcohol abuse.  I've also had some mental changes - depression, anxiety, personality(?), but that of course could be due to alcohol as well.

Does anyone have any ideas?  
Thanks,

Chris

[topher280]

thanks for the reply.  I'm probably being overly concerned, but I've become pretty medically independent and proactive after going through some bad experiences with doctors.  But this is a pretty non-specific symptom and doesn't affect me so I'll just be looking out for it worsening or other neurological symptoms in the future.

[theasian]

it could be that the jerky movements are myoclonus and the fact that they only happen when you move would mean that its action myoclonus. myoclonus is usually is a medical sign of an underlying cause but sometimes it can happen without a cause. i would suggest that you go see a neurologist because you say you also have mental changes. if you would like to read a bit more on myoclonus you could go to the we move website and click the myoclonus link. hope you get some answers soon. take care