myoconic jerking
 

So, I started jerking all over after using Tramadol and dealing with stress from a neck problem. I only took a little Tramadol a few days. I jerk every morning when I wake up and then sometimes if I lay down during the day. I get the jerking in the limbs and head. Things have changed and am now getting this in the day. I hate it is affecting me standing. Right now it kind of hits in my back first and then the legs. If standing, it is like I am swaying but not an easy sway a jerk. I was taking Klonopin for sleep and was weaning off of it but guess need to go back to it since it is supposed to help with this condition. I had an EEG and brain MRI which were clear. This was back many months ago-at least 6. Do you think my dr should do more testing? Would this be spinal related? I have problems with my low spine as well- slipped L3-L4. I have had tingling again but get that all the time everywhere and down my legs so ignore it. I have neuropathy. Those of you that have some knowledge on the subject appreciate the info. Thanks

IllPn,

How long have you been on Tramadol? How many mg's are you taking and how many times a day?

I have been taking tramadol 50mg every six hours for 5 years now. At times I will get the jerking you are describing.

With the Tramadol did your doctor wean you or titer you up in dosage?

It could be a side effect of weaning off of the Klonopin if you wean off too fast. Are you weaning off with your dr's care?

Sorry you are having this issue to deal with.

I am betting that your culprit is the Klonopin taper.

It might be you won't be able to come off it at this time. Some people require months and months to get off of it.

Benzos work on inhibitory nerves by stimulating them. These nerves in our nervous system dampen firing of the action nerves...so we don't flail about and loose coordination. When the damper of the Benzo is removed then those inhibitory nerves start up again, and the "jerks" can occur. I think the Tramadol is just a trigger for this.
Tramadol can cause seizures in some people and myoclonus is a minor type motor "seizure".

reply
 

I started jerking when under stress from neck issues probably back in Sept./Oct. I only took a few tablets of the Tramadol for pain a half here and there -- that was months ago. I had used it in the hospital with no problems with a surgery yrs ago. I have been weaning off the klonopin for months real slow. I have done this before. I only take .5 and been taking a half for months then down to a quarter. I went back to the .5 after seeing the dr yesterday and now adding more gabapentin. She is doing another EEG
This started when I woke up and all over -my head will jerk, hands, legs, selective muscles even in the stomach. I know when took Tramadol it was more violent. During the day, this is in my legs kind of a jerking forward from my low back or just the legs. I can feel it standing as makes me waver forward. I sure hope nothing is pinching in my back causing that. It is a bit less today but still there. Last 3 days it has been all day with little break. I hope if stress induced will go away in time and not part of my neuropathy and something else going on. My neuropathy is idiopathic. I sure don't want it taking over my whole body. Thanks for the replies

you know I was thinking this am I think my jerking is stressed induced or from the Tramadol even though took little... but it is interesting that my husband jerks when he falls asleep a lot

I don't think I have this at night as the klonopin knocks me out pretty good

I think it is the Klonopin too.... I have been taking 400 mg of tramadol now for about 6 yrs and have no problems.... check the side effects of both..

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/klonopin-side-effects.html

scroll down side effect muscle control..

Tramadol side effects
http://www.drugs.com/tramadol.html