Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

Grannie Aggie,

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

I had jerk movements like yours early on. I also had ballistic movements. Any small movement became exaggerated. Just rolling over could result in my arm flying or my knee would jerk into my wife's thigh. At first, I took clonazepam but switched to gabapentin after a year or so. The gabapentin does the trick for me and has no noticeable side-effects. Originally, I needed 900 to 1200 mgs an hour before bed. I am down to 600 mgs now.

These jerks would happen most just as I was transitioning to sleep. The Exploding Head Syndrome events happen during the same transition. They could be related.

My best to you.

Originally Posted by Mark in Idaho

As I said, I only take it before sleep. It has an 5-7 hour half life which means it is active for a short period compared to many meds. If the 300 mgs 3 x a day does not work, a higher dose before bed may work better. If I forget my dose and take it later, I will not notice a benefit for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Then, it kicks in good and my body/muscle tension releases so I can relax to sleep.