is this ptsd?
 

I have a strange sleep problem that has turned me into a zombie. I am so tired. It has been going on for months and can't find a med that really works. Problem is that as soon as I doze off, I get what feels like a jolt of adrenaline and I wake up. I doze of again, same thing. Pretty soon I am in a panic and have to get out of bed. Most nights I eventually fall asleep, but it is a hellish process and I get very little sleep. I can no longer work or drive a car or survive without help from my young adult kids. I have had various forms of trauma, including a severe event several years ago. It changed me and my view of the world completely. Then I got Restless Leg Syndrome and my sleep became rather poor. Then the startling started. If it is PTSD, what can I do about it?

Hello pepper999

I don't know if you are experiencing PTSD. The best thing you can do is to be evaluated by a Psychiatrist as there is a criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD.

Medications and Psychotherapy.

Best wishes.

You don't want a diagnosis via a forum ....lol
Go see a physician...or more than 1 if needed

I have to wonder.... pepper, if you take any magnesium supplements? They often work well for restless legs.

There is a lotion now, quite inexpensive that will help your muscles and nerves for the Restless Legs, and also help you sleep more naturally.

Morton Epsom Lotion:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mor...216500-product

This absorbs into the body when you rub it in and will relax muscles, and stop nerve pain, and help the body relax. I use it at night when I go to bed. Estimates are that up to 70% of people in the US are low in magnesium because they don't eat the foods commonly that provide it. Excessive use of caffeine, alcohol or diuretics also deplete this mineral, on top of the poor diet.

You can rub in a quarter's sized dollop in each calf... or if you want more systemic absorption, rub it into your wrists and inner arms (where the veins are close to the surface). I think this lotion is rather miraculous and can help many people avoid RX drugs for some ailments. I use it every night! Magnesium is very calming and settles down hyper nerve situations, nicely.
It also improves circulation to the legs and feet--so many of us on PN forum here use it for that.

(It is also available at WalMart (where I get mine) and online at Amazon.com )

Hey,

I have the same thing and answered someone on one of the other forums the other week as she was having the same symptoms.

Every single night without fail as I'm almost asleep I get what feels like a huge fear and shaking inside, the only thing that stops it is getting out of bed and walking around, it's awful.

Have you had any trauma? this started for me after a concussion/car accident last year.

I take Magnesium and epsom salt baths but it doesn't stop this.

My legs also feel "weird" sometimes, not always, hard to explain, I have to move them for some reason.

Hope you are okay.

clarification
 

I do have a therapist who thinks I have ptsd. What I want to know is whether or not ptsd can cause this sort of thing.

It sounds neurological.

Wondering if you've ever had a sleep study.

I have had RLS on and off most of my life since I was a young teen.
I've also had panic attacks that woke me from sleep and that was pretty terrifying.
Both have disappeared in more recent times thank goodness.

The 'starts' that you've described sound like myoclonic jerks.

I'm wondering if all these issues are occurring since starting a new medication or did they happen prior to taking any medications?

p.s. forgot to ask.
Do you have Diabetes?
How is your Thyroid function?

Sleep disorders can be a secondary symptom to PTSD. Sleep problems in PTSD are insomnia, nightmare and flashbacks due to trauma.

Information about sleep disorders and PTSD:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18424196

A Psychiatrist is the Dr. who can diagnose PTSD and offer medications if necessary.

magnesium
 

Thanks, MrsD. I do take magnesium. I tried the lotion and found it too irritating. Thinking about trying just soaking my feet. I see a sleep doctor who has started me on iron transfusions for the RLS. He was not very helpful about the startling except to say it was some form of hyper-arousal and then prescribe a med that made me worse. So I am stuck.

sleep study
 

No, no sleep study. The sleep doctor didn't think I needed one.

These are not jerks. They are feelings of startling. Just feelings, like a jolt of adrenaline you get when scared.