Hi, I get hypnic jerks at night. I took Lorazepam one night and didn't taper it off in April 2013. I then took it on and off over two months. On average a small amount three times a week. Moved onto Remeron (mitrazapine) in September 2013. I am on melatonin (2mg). I had no sleep problems before I took the Lorazepam.


I was doing ok on a small amount of melatonin with magnesium (Calm 1g), but recently I came off of the magnesium (I think I was taking too much and it affected my blood pressure) and now the hypnic jerks have come back and now having to take 2mg of melatonin. However, I am waking up and now cant get back to sleep from the jerks.

I would be very interested if anyone knew of any alternative ways to treat these hypnic jerks (vitamin D?). I would take a bath with epsom salts (but I don't have one).

I just tried a foot bath this evening but it had no effect.


I made a recent discovery tonight actually. I didn't take the Calm magnesium tonight (just 2mg of melatonin) and the jerks have kept me awake, proving that it was the Calm magnesium that was 'calming' the jerks.

Had to stop taking the Calm magnesium as it was too much for my heart (it was giving me low blood pressure symptoms with a weak heartbeat and palpitations).
Was taking 2g fine for the last 5 months.

Any further help would be appreciated. I have hardly slept this week and I am desperate.

If I can find a way of taking the large doses of Calm magnesium in a different form that maybe might help? I tried the spray a while back but I did not notice any difference in the jerks.

Thanks again.

Thanks a lot,
Brian.

Have you consider reducing the amount of mag and maybe add in calcium?

Also, look into glycine. It's an amino acid that's been used in REM sleep disorders. 1 to 3 grams before bed time. This may help relax the muscles too without affecting your bp.

Are you sure on the mg dose?
Seems teensy to me.

Opps. It's grams. Thanks for catching that.

Another thing to consider is the potential to disrupt your overall electrolyte balance by taking high doses of magnesium. I know those doses on me would cause loose stools or even diarrhea. This would contribute to the loss of other minerals. Magnesium glycinate may be a better form to take if the citrate is causing loose bowels.

Your kidneys may be on overdrive since they are responsible for clearing excess magnesium. If they cannot keep up with it, then you may be experiencing toxic effects from it.

Also, have you had your B12 checked. Taking B12 as well as a good B complex can help.

One can lose alot of potassium with
Chronic loose stools. Potassium is pumped
into the colon for storage and slowly resorbed
When serum levels fluctuate from food intakw.
This is the lost with chronic loose stools
So low potassium may result.

I was getting the cortisol rushes/palpitations before I took the magnesium. Aren't they a symptom from the Lorazepam along with the hypnic jerks?

I can live with loose stools if it means I can get a few hours sleep.

So which magnesium is best for hypnic jerks?

Im taking ionic 'Calm' magnesium.

What about magnesium glycinate vs magnesium citrate vs calcium magnesium.

Too many magnesiums!

Figuring out what magnesiums works best for you will be a trial/error. Loose stools means that you are eliminating excess mag that is not being absorbed. Switching to mag glycerinate or dosing your mag citrate in divided doses throughout the day may help that. If you're taking the citrate all at once before bedtime, that may be too much.

Like I've stated above and as MRS. D points out, chronic diarrhea/loose stools can cause an imbalance in other electrolytes.


Here are some articles on the use of glycine I suggested.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0327172155.htm

Also, B vitamins can help too.

Mirapex. I was given Mirapex for RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). I don't have to take it on a regular basis just when I need it. I take half a tablet and within 30 minutes the RLS has eased. It's the only thing that worked for me except for Ultram. Even sometimes the Ultram isn't enough and that's when I reach for the Mirapex.

I don't know how it would affect or help the issue of the jerking waking you up. In that case I suspect you might have to take the Mirapex on a schedule as it's normally used.

Just a thought anyway.