Sleep Disorders Community

Hey Dr. Mike,
I have constant problems with very dark undereye circles, and have been noticing I've been having a harder time remembering things, simple things. I'm 31 years old, I quit smoking cold turkey a couple of years ago, have the same sleep schedule every night, and have tried taking vitamins. Any suggestions, or is this anything I should be worried about?

I was told a few years ago that I twitch in my sleep. Not just my legs but my arms, hands, and just my body in general. It's been drawn to my attention several times since then. And It's not just when I initially fall asleep but apparently all through the night. Sometimes I wake up from the twitches because they're so great. I have no idea what's wrong. I'm not on any meds or anything. I don't get it. But I don't want to see the doctor unless it's serious.

So your a family of twitchers? Sorry I couldn't resist, hope you don't take offence. By the way I twitch in public in town and on the bus.

Dear j_rene, I will tell you my experience and what the ER doctor told me. I have had a sleep study test about 2 years ago and prescribed a CPAP which I cannot use. I started having whole body jerking at night for a month which would wake me and my husband up at night. I started having chest discomfort and nausea, so I went to the ER. The doctor said I had GERD but also stated the whole body jerking was an excerbation of my sleep apnea. He said when I stop breathing in my sleep, my body jerks trying to get me to breath. Thank God my body warns me. I am going to have bariatric surgery in January 2011 but have to put up with this until then since insurance will not pay for this until the 6 month diet program is over. You need to see your doctor and ask if you need a sleep study. I hope this helps.

My husband also tells me that I twitch. I am aware of this. It happens when I initially fall asleep. I also have panic disorder, and I notice that I twitch the most when I am going to wake up from an attack. It is worse with overtired and stress symptoms. I occasionally wake up gasping for air - was looking at the posts for that. Terribly frightening, as is a severe panic attack. I think they are all related. My guess is that it an adrenalin-mediated cascade of some sort. What is one person's second wind is another person's twitch or panic disorder. The body wants to sleep but something is telling it not to. That is my twitch story, but I would imagine it is different for those who twitch while awake.

Hello, shastav,
The symptoms you are describing sound very much like a condition that I have had - meralgia paresthetica. It took me 5 years to find a doctor who knew what it was. If you put it into WebMD or just google it you will find some very good info on it. Basicly it is caused by a pinched nerve that runs thur the pelvic are (you'll be able to find pictures with the articles). I have had it for 9 years now and learned a lot. I hate to tell you that if this is what you have, all the pain meds out there do not help. A pain specialist had me on everything out there, one after another. I only didn't care about the pain and was bedridden for 9 months. I ended up additicted and that took me 6 months to get over. One doctor wanted to cut the nerve, but this is risky - if they get the wrong nerve. Then there is the fact that nerves grow back and that means cutting it again and again - no thanks. Sometimes a series of nerve blocks help some people. I have found that a Tens device (it is used by pro athletes on the field to control pain when injured) can sometimes numb the area for hours. Another thing that has provided me with some relief is Lidoderm Patches, that you can wear for 8 hours. I often take a very hot bath, then put one on the most painful area before bed and take an Ambien CR. This will usually provide me with a decent nights sleep. The other thing that has helped me is DBT therapy, where you learn ways of tolerating things, including pain. Meditation also has helped. Also acupunture has helped me, but you have to find a highly trained acupunturist who is familiar with the condition to get any real relief. I wish you luck.

Personal experience -- Cymbalta can cause or exasperate RLS. Over time, my RLS got progressively worse to the point that I could only sleep while pacing or sometimes while standing and leaning again a wall. During this hell, I was taking the maximum dose of Mirapex.

It was difficult to get off of Cymbalta because it is terrific for chronic pain. Doctors including a movement disorder specialist told me Cymbalta was NOT causing the RLS but they were all wrong. Now that I don't take Cymbalta, I have zero RLS and I no longer take Mirapex.

I've been off of Cymbalta for about 1 month and I'm still having trouble with withdrawal symptoms.

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject: Kicking legs while trying to sleep? I lose 2-5 hours a sleep a night because of involuntary leg jerking. It's similar to but different from Restless Leg and Periodic Limb Movement (PLM)— it's while I'm awake, without uncomfortable sensations, and without the typical movements or intervals of PLM. The involuntary jerking or kicking is what keeps me awake.

I'm 53, otherwise healthy, and have tried 10 meds (some with benefit, then with decreased effectiveness or augmentation). Other evaluations appeared normal (i.e. 3 neurological evals, 2 sleep labs, 1 MRI). I was diagnosed by the John Hopkins RLS Clinic with Nocturnal Quiescegenic Dyskinesia. I put up a website with additional information and short video. www.kicking-legs.com Does anyone else deal with this?

Thanks, Erik

I have been diagnosed with Diabetes since 2001 and have the same problem with my feet. I read that Turmeric will help. I tried it and it works. As it is a spice, there is no side effects and if you look around for the best deal it is worth it. I take about 1200mg a day.

I get restless leg syndrome whenever my iron is low, and my "other half" has also noticed I twitch alot when I complain about my legs. I dose up on iron pills and it has always gone away. I am not a doctor but thought it might help. Iron pills sure are alot cheaper than doctor bills Good luck!

Lynn OMG Iwas on amytriptyline and boy let me tell you. I was on it like maybe 1 and a1/2 - 2 yrs ago and I STILL hilucinate ALL THE TIME. INEVER did that until I took that meds. I went and saw another dr and they said OH YEAH THAT ISTHE WORST meds ANYONE could be on oh really THANX well im glad to hear im NOT alone with this but IM SORRY you had to experiance it
Kelly

Well bud its the narcotic you are on it happens to u when u just start to fall asleep and in the night don't it I bet it does see its or narcotics you are taking is all good don't worry just don't increase our dose cause when our twitching or boxing out trust me I no I'm a DR.

Are you sure he don't take any narcotics pain medication