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Hypnic Jerks?

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Posted 5/31/2015 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys, I am a visitor from the Lyme forum.

I am some where around 90% better from Lyme, but have one lingering issue that I am not entirely sure is even Lyme related, but rather anxiety related, as I have had this problem in the past.

Does anyone here have involuntary jerks as you fall asleep? Mine usually coincide with a dream. For example, if I dream I am boxing while falling asleep I will move my arm and wake myself. It usually happens to either my feet or hands, and only happens as I drift into sleep, sometimes upwards of ten times before finally falling asleep.

When I was experiencing a very stressful time at work last year (before Lyme), I would wake up after drifting off with sudden loss of breath. This would happen for a few hours before finally falling asleep. So maybe this jerking thing is stress related.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.
Posted 5/31/2015 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Fronton, and welcome to our forum. I'm happy to hear your Lyme is under control.

Have you ever had a sleep study? Stress certainly does affect our sleep patterns. Especially with an increase in work stress coinciding with dreams, etc.

I wonder though if the involuntary jerking might be more related to levels of sleep. I'm not an expert on the subject by any means, but I know some here have had sleep studies, and should be along to offer their experiences.

I hope you find the answers you need. Post any time.
Posted 5/31/2015 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Yes these jerks can be a symptom of anxiety, if you go to our resources on the top of the page and look at I think the first or second link you will see a list of a ton of symptoms that anxiety can cause and muscle twitching is there. I get them too, not too often anymore but it sure does give you a fright to wake up like that suddenly.
Posted 5/31/2015 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hypnic jerks are fairly common for me. I tend to jerk awake if I start dreaming and I trip up or slip or something.

I've had them for a long time, but this goes back to before I was having anxiety problems. Sometimes I get them sometimes I don't. Stress could be the cause, as your mind is not quite ready to rest while your body is drained.
Posted 6/1/2015 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum I am pleased to hear your Lyme's is almost better that is good news.

Yes I get these jerks all the time they are a common symptom of anxiety.

Hibee
Posted 6/1/2015 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I also have these jerks but not to often. Mostly if I was trying to nap (which never happened very much) during the day. But 9 weeks ago my husband left me and I have become so depressed and anxious. I have had days with straight panic attacks. These jerks have become much worse. I was looking them up on the internet and one sight talked about low magnesium levels. I read that stress will reduce your magnesium and on top of that I have been taking protonix which I found decreases you magnesium and I was not eating. I lost 34 lbs in 6 weeks. Has anyone tried magnesium supplements for these? I also heard it can help you anxiety. Anyone have any success with that? Thanks!!
Posted 6/1/2015 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Anxiety forum Chele, I'm happy you found us but so sorry to hear you are dealing with anxiety. You've found an awesome site full of caring people that above all else understand what you are going thru.

I do take magnesium supplements, but I can't really say if it has helped my anxiety or not, being I also recently changed my AD's. It doesn't hurt to try it though and see if it works, especially if you are taking protonix cause it does decrease your magnesium. Of course contact your doctor first before starting any supplements.

Take a look at the top thread of the forum, Titled Anxiety Resource for alot of helpful self help links, I'm sure you'll find alot of good info there. Also if you would like to start your own thread to introduce yourself do so by clicking on the New Topic button on the upper left above the list of threads. I look forward to getting to know you better.
Posted 12/25/2020 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Fronton may I ask how you're doing now? I started getting the jerks eight months ago and have since gone on a veges and fruit diet along with supplements which seemed to help. But I get flare ups on a monthly basis.
Posted 12/26/2020 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mungbean,
This is a five year old thread, not sure if you noticed this.

I also get jerky movements when falling asleep at times. Never thought they were a part of anxiety though. Shows you how little I know about all this. I had a sleep study done a while back and as the moderators know by listening to me I am battling anxiety now for the first time. Actually I have had anxiety I am just now admitting to it and trying to do something about it. My sleep study dr put me on Trazadone which helped even out my sleep patterns. I should have recognized all this a year ago as leading to anxiety yet I did not put it all together.

Might I ask what others think about trazadone for anxiety?

Thanks for any help
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