muscle twitch

[dogday]

In August, I was addicted to klonipin, which had been prescribed to me for anxiety.  As I started to wean off the drug, I developed muscle twitching. I finally stopped taking klonipin in early November, but have been struggling to stop drinking.  The muscle twitching has persisted.  It is not visible to others, and usually consists of involuntary twitching of the legs.  I also twitch "awake"--often as I am trying to fall asleep I will have a dream in which I am falling, my whole body will twitch, and I'll wake up.  I know that these are common, but I have them every night, sometimes as many as 6 times.  As I said, I have been trying to stop drinking.  Do you think these symptoms are related to prolonged alcohol use?  Will they go away if I am able to achieve long-term sobriety?

[ggreg]

I also took Klonopin, back in 1998.  Within six months I was addicted, had to come off it.  That was a WILD time, I also had twitches, but they were in my face and eyes, really embarassing.  My eyes bulged out funny, light bothered me.  In fact, there was a documentary on TV back then about Stevie Nicks and her addiction to Klonopin, and she was a couple months out of recovery, and her eyes were bulging just like mine!  Eventually I was able to use it again, and only one time had a little trouble with it, and now I'm fine, same dose all these years later.

With all that said, I'll tell you something else, relating to the alcohol.  Alcohol takes a toll on your sleep patterns.  In the last couple years, I've had back problems and have to be sedated, which fools with my sleep patterns.  Once a week or so, I nearly pass out, and I have that same wierdness as you, jerking awake with strange feelings.  Then I finally succomb to sleep, catch up with it, and I'm okay.  

So, I reckon part of it is the Klonopin withdrawal, and the alcohol may be wrecking your sleep, and you are just worn slam out.  Ordinary Valium is not too addicting, it will even-out your nervousness, and I think you can get it from whomever gave you the other drug, a temporary script for one around dinnertime, maybe one refill.  

On the drinking, I quit about 20 years ago.  You don't sound so much like an alcoholic, rather trying to cope with your nerves.  So, since I quit before, I can give you a couple tips, if you want a little relief.  I became a TV addict!  Ha!  Kept me off the streets.  But the main idea is find something else you like to do, and force yourself to do it instead of drinking.  You won't win every time, but enough to get back a little sleep.  

Also, if you can get the cousin Valium, you won't want to drink, it'll bring you down so much, to where you just want to lay around in the evening.  Wrap up in a quilt and eat a bunch of snacks, do puzzles and drawings, noodle on the computer, or watch a movie video until bedtime.  Just whatever it takes to get off the merry-go-round a few days at a time.  I hope this helps.  I've been there.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Alcohol has a multitude of effects on the body and may cause damages in various ways. Muscle twitching is fairly common effect and is known to occur in alcoholics.

Alcohol induced neurological damage may cause numerous conditions and it is important to initiate de-addiction as soon as possible.

You should try and stop the abuse of any substances and reach out to health-care workers who may be able to provide immediate and effective assistance.

Please let us know if you may need any more information.

Best regards