[chaos]

Got some answers! I snore only slightly, don't stop sleeping. No need for a CPAP machine, yay! Clench my teeth, which I knew. The two main things were periodic limb movement - a whopping 29 times an hour. The second was alpha intrusion in alpha-delta sleep. I think this means that my sleep time keeps getting interrupter by pain that is making me not sleep deeply. I still need to do some research on that, but apparently it's common with chronic pain sufferers. It may also be caused by my meds. Between the two main issues, I'm apparently not really sleeping, even though I "sleep" 12 hrs a night if left unbothered.

For those of you with the periodic limb movement - what do you take to treat it? Doc suggested a drug that they give to Parkinson's patients. I can't remember what it was called and can't find it currently online. I'll be going back to my Neuro to get a prescrip if he agrees with it. It started with a D and helps dopamine. I'd like a little feedback before going back to the doc.

Here is what Wikipedia said:
PLMD is often treated with anti-Parkinson medication; it may also respond to anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, and narcotics. Patients must stay on these medications in order to experience relief for there is no known cure for this disorder. PLMs tend to be exacerbated by tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, stress and sleep deprivation. It is also advised to not consume caffeine, alcohol or antidepressants as these substances could worsen the PLMD symptoms.

Other medications aimed at reducing or eliminating the leg jerks or the arousals can be prescribed. Non-ergot derived dopaminergic drugs (pramipexole and ropinirole) are preferred.[5] Other dopaminergic agents such as co-careldopa, co-beneldopa, pergolide, or lisuride may also be used. These drugs decrease or eliminate both the leg jerks and the arousals. These medications are also successful for the treatment of restless legs syndrome.

In one study, co-careldopa was superior to dextropropoxyphene in decreasing the number of leg kicks and the number of arousals per hour of sleep. However, co-careldopa and, to a lesser extent, pergolide may shift the leg movements from the nighttime to the daytime.[6] Clonazepam, (Klonopin), in doses of 1 mg has been shown to improve objective and subjective measures of sleep.[7]

I did try a tricyclic antidepressant when all this started and hated it. Maybe this is why. I fall asleep quickly, so I don't need anything to help me sleep, just stop moving.