meds can be a trigger. I recently started elavil and have them quite severe.
Never happened with lyrica

Although it is true that everyone has these, but I have been suffering for the last month and a half straight from extreme jerks.

In this time, I have become quisi-obsessed looking for an answer, and the closest I have found is a special form of hypnic jerk known as hypogonic jerk. I believe I am suffering from these - It is horrible being able to relax enough to go to sleep, then being literally jerked awake.

Consult a doctor before any meds, but trazadone has helped me to get over the sleep hump, however, not with the sleep jerks.

If it is severe and long lasting it could be a sign or restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder - these can be diagnosed through a sleep study. Also, it could be somehting as simple as a vitamin deficency which can be tested through a simple blood test.

There are medicines to help with this such as pramiprexole and/or requip.

Also, I have not tried it, but have read that klonopen has helped some. There is a risk of dependency and for it to stop working over time.

In any case, any info you find please share with me as I too am looking for help in this area. Best of luck,

Matt

Hi, I read your post and I am new to the form and new to this threaded neuropathy.

Yes, I have the body jerks and I have to get up and walk it off. I make a cup of tea and have take a Xanax to relax me and am able at that time to rest and wake up in the am for work.

It is terrible. It will wake me up out of a sleep plus I have been woken by my foot shaking several times.

You are the first one that I saw that has this happen to them. It not fun!

Hi Malawgirl,
I have read all the responses. I think I know what you are talking about and I think I also have it.
They are not like the normal jerks I have had on occasion. These are much worse. Actually, I said to my husband they scare me then I can't go back to sleep. I have actually gotten to the point that I try not to go to sleep until I can't hold my eyes open for fear of having them. From what I just read here that may make it worse.
Believe it or not I have not researched a reason for it. I just assumed it was yet another symptom of this disease! I figured there was nothing anyone could do about.
Just want you to know you are not alone.

Hi, You're right everyone gets those twinches or jerks and that is not what this is at all. This goes right through my entire body like I am being electrocuted, sometimes not as bad. This is when I am sleeping and whatever it is it's scary like you said.

I feel like a big baby and wake my husband up, like you I don't want to go back to sleep right away in fear of another.

It's been a few days since I have had one . . . knock on wood. I don't know if this has anything with taking a Xanax and walking on the treadmill, and the increase of my neurotin.

Yesterday my feet burned like nobody's business and electric shots in my hands all day.

Today tops of feet burn but are just uncomfortable not at the point of bad sun burn.

I am sorry you have those jerks or whatever they are too. They definitely are not fun.

I do have a cup of Chamomile Tea and the Xanax b4 I dose back again.

I only take Xanax (alprazolam) on rare occasions (~3-4x a year). But now that you mention that, the only times I get the more severe jerks described here is after taking it for longer than a day or two, and then discontinuing/stopping it; I just assumed it was withdrawal.

I don't take gabapentin (Neurontin).

Doc

I feel as though they are the first jerk of a fit if that makes sense to anyone. It's an awful feeling.

I've been getting these too. The strongest jerks (full body power jerks) happen mostly when I'm trying to stay awake. But smaller twitch style jerks happen spontaneously, on average a few times a day.

This has only happened since my neuropathy pain and subsequent medication (Lyrica & Tramadol) have entered my life. Whether there is a connection, I suspect so. My hubby doesn't have this either.

I used to get them in the beginning but thank God no more. Could have been the Lyrica or the Gapabentin. So sorry I know not a picnic.

My legs used to Jerk I just weathered the storm all of these pains, twitches, jerks are all associated, in my opinion, with the dreadful disease.

Like today the inside of my mouth feels numb that comes and goes along with achy legs.

But I am a diabetic and had cereal and mashed potatoes and my sugar was 168 this am took it again 2 hrs later didn't not eat any thing was in the 180's

Good Luck.