I'm concerned that if I don't get a diagnosis (as opposed to postulating) with the spinal tap, it might be too late for treatment and these myoclonus issues may stay indefinitely.

It seems as though people without acute hypnic jerk symptoms have been able to make a full recovery. As you mentioned, it's tough holding down a career (for medical insurance etc.) whilst dealing with this, so I'm quite eager to pursue anything that will rid me of this curse...if that something was simply waiting to heal like ATXman, I would prefer that route, but I read that Albertakewl is still experiencing them more than two years later...which makes a lumbar puncture a more palatable option than it was, prior to reading this forum.