Perhaps a sleep Spasm

[joans48]

my nephew is 16 since last week when he has had a pain on his side from over-exercising. when he goes into his 2nd sleep stage he gets a spasm that convulses his whole body - he has been to 3 hospitals this week & none have been able to diagnose this. All test taken, MRS, EKG, EEG CAT SCANS have been normal.  Sometimes he will get as many as 11 episodes at one time. He was in Schneider's Children's Hosp. where they have  him on video getting these episodes.  When he wakes up he is fine - no pain. All 3 hospitals have never seen this before. It all came on suddenly last week - he has never had a sleep problem.  I'm of the opinion that he is not "unique" some one else in the world has either heard of this or experiences this. PLEASE we need help his mother hasn't slept since last week - she is afraid to go to sleep.  I saw what happened he was laying on his side next to me on the couch within 5 min. as soon as he goes into that deep sleep, his whole body jerked up & he was facing the other side of the couch on his stomach. He woke up and was totally fine.  Has anyone heard of this or is able to lest us know how to help him?

[Gregg D Jacobs, Ph.D.]

I cannot comment any further on this because I am not a pediatric sleep specialist.

Dr. Jacobs

[joans48]

Thank you - I just found out that the significant findings from Schneider's Children's Hospital was "EEG - no seizure activity, likely myoclonic jerks in early stages of sleep."
Their treatment/procedure was
Flexeoril 10mg PO Q8hrs PRN
Toradol Q6hrs PRN
VEEG
They also suggested a sleep disorder clinic.  My question is are these symptoms  something unique to him or have you heard of them before?  His mother is at the edge because he has been to 3 different hospitals hasn't slept more than 45 min in 8 days & none of the doctors/specialists/neurologists can give her an answer as to what is causing it or how to treat it.  They did give him a medication to take 3 hrs before sleep I think it's the Toradol & Motrim but she is so frightened because of the side effects is may cause.  Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
Joan N.

[Gregg D Jacobs, Ph.D.]

This is a question for a neurologist.

Dr. Jacobs

[joans48]

He was released from the hospital yesterday & was diagnosed with myoclonic jerks.  Can this be cured - it only started 8 days ago.  Will it go away the same way it came?
Thank you
joan

[Gregg D Jacobs, Ph.D.]

If all other tests have come back normal, he may need a sleep study.

Dr. Jacobs