The full body shudder, right at the moment of falling asleep, is fairly common in TBI patients. You may find that this symptom dissipates as your recovery progresses.

Mark from Idaho might know if there are any medications that can dampen this down. I opted to just live with it. While it's annoying, there is no evidence that it's harmful. Believe it or not, one can learn to live with it.

My exaggerated startle response on the other hand... sigh

I can also recommend soaking in the bath (importantly up to neck) in Epsom salts (which is in fact magnesium sulphate) before bed to help calm muscles down.
Also very important to keep hydrated - dehydration can increase the intensity of twitching.

My doctors gave me medication, that relaxes the muscels. It helps me to sleep in faster, but it does not completely avoid the head jerks, especially when i wake up during the night.

I've asked two docors now, wether these severe head jerks can affect the healing. None of them could give me a concrete answer. Both acted like they don't know it. I would be very glad if someone here would ask a specialist as well, maybe other doctors have more knowledge.

The only thing i know is that severe head shaking can lead to a concussion. Head jerks are not the same, but they can be seen as a shake in one direction, so I'm still a bit worried.

I don't think you need to worry about these head jerks causing a concussion. The movement is not violent enough nor sustained. They are just annoying and can make it difficult to get to sleep.

My best to you.

I have been having these head jerks, especially the last couple of nights. Last night I was not able to get any sleep at all because every single time right at the moment that I was falling asleep my head would jerk and wake me up. So horrible!

I sure hope I can get sleep tonight, I can't keep having no sleep, especially when trying to recover.

I went through a phase of these head jerks while falling asleep. It used to happen just as I started to relax. I occasionally get a small twitch but it seems to have passed, so hopefully it will be the same for you.

Jeremy,

Be patient, they go away.

Bud