My whole body jerks when I am drifting into sleep.
 

Each night when I start to drift into sleep my whole body jerks once and makes me more awake. I always feel awful after this happens and it can take an age for me to sleep afterwards. does this happen to anyone else and is there an explanation for this?

These are myoclonic jerks. They are pretty common in everyone.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-hypnic-jerk.htm

I thought everyone had these.:winky:
Even my beagle has them :Dand she wakes herself up too.:eek::cool:

Hi,

This has happened to me for ages but only occasionally. MrsD has identified the reason so please don't worry about it.

Feels almost like you're falling out of bed.

Take care,

Sheltiemom

I've always gotten them too, but not regularly. Usually when I'm sleep deprived or otherwise overtired/exhausted. I've seen our dogs do it too.

I always thought they were somehow connected to the fight-or-flight response.

Doc

Thanks everyone, I haven't been sleeping too well so I will be overtired - I have never been aware of this before and my husband definately doesnt do this.:D

this happens to me also, not everynight but sometimes a few times a night.

This happens to me a lot. Even when I am not trying to fall asleep?

So what's wrong with HIM? :p (jes kidding!)

He must be nuts married to me;) - thats before anyone else says it !!