Weird Jolt in Arm when Tired

[Purple345]

This has been bothering me for a few months and I am not sure if its nothing or something. Whenever I get tired or say in a meeting and start to feel sleep, I get a jolt that goes through my mid right arm to the finger next to my thumb. I also sometimes get it in my left foot and lower leg. The finger moves slightly. I know that it means I'm tired because I do get it sometimes when I fall asleep. I was reading other posts and I have been on antidepressants for about six years? I've been on Lexapro for about one or two years and before that paxil. I also take birth control. That's all the medicine I am on. Is this something normal like how when some people fall asleep they feel like they are falling and get a jolt? Thank you.

[Coloradojg]

I have been on lexapro and I am a pharmacist. I've been getting the same symptoms you have I decided to wean off the lexapro. I do not recommend this for you as I am just sharing my experience. I personally think the lexapro may be causing this even though it is not in the literature I feel that my twitches are going away. I'd like to research this more.

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, most people have experienced a sudden jerking movement upon falling asleep, often accompanied by a subjective sensation of falling or twitching. Such occurrences are known as benign hypnic myoclonus or sleep starts.

Rarely, night starts can become unusually violent, very frequent, or repetitive, and confused for seizures. The phenomenon is restricted to sleep, and always or virtually always in the transition between sleep and wakefulness, and is not associated with other phenomena.

To conclude, you need not worry; it will not harm your body and will wear off over a time. Maintain good sleep hygiene, be positive. I suggest you to consult sleep specialist for more information. Take care and regards.

[nananeedsthis]

The jolt you feel is more than likely the muscles relaxing after being tense. If you notice, sometimes your body or just your legs will do this just as you are about to fall asleep. It is a normal reaction and I wouldn't get too worried about it unless you start having other symptoms that accompany it. Try to relax more and get more rest. Good luck.