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Jerking movements before sleep have acting out dreams

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Hopeagain1
Hopeagain1

Hello, this all began about six months ago. Previous to the six months ago, I never had any of the symptoms. I was not on any medication. I am a 33 year old healthy gal. But then I started jerking before I fell asleep. I close my eyes and dreams come quick. And the next thing I know I am acting out my dream. If I'm dreaming that I'm throwing a ball I wake up to my arm above my head, with an imaginary ball in it, getting ready to be thrown. If I dream I'm doing dishes I wake up to my hands wringing out an imaginary sponge. Most nights, when I want to go to sleep I am unable to because my body is jerking. Sometimes due to dreams like I mentioned and sometimes due to just unexplainable jerking. It is not an electric pulse or shock but involuntary muscle movement. I close my eyes and start to fall asleep and then either my neck moves off my pillow, my leg kicks out, or my shoulder starts to move (like a shrugging montion) I have no control over this. At first the doctor said it was due to anxiety so they tried a number of anxiety medications. None of them helped. Meanwhile I started to have insomnia. Because my body would not let me fall asleep. Because it would jerk and jerk and jerk all night long. So then the doctor tried  different sleeping medications. I was on Trazodone and it worked for a little bit and then it stopped. So they switch me to Ambien which worked for a little bit and then it stopped. Right now they have me on ativan and it has been helping. I've actually been sleeping which has been such an answer to prayer. However the jerking is still there. I've had a sleep study done and that came back with all normal results. They told me it could be restless leg syndrome but I know it's not that. It seems to be the worst around the time of the month. That's usually when all hell breaks loose and I do not sleep for days. With the ativan, then I'm able to sleep at least a little bit during this time. I've seen a naturopath and she concluded it had to do with my adrenals and hormones. I spent a lot of money on tests for both and on supplements for both. And yet the jerking still persist. I've taking most sugar, dairy, and gluten out of my diet as well as all caffeine and alcohol. I take magnesium, b12 vitamins, and a progesterone cream. And yet the jerking is still here. If anyone has any information or suggestions I would be so appreciative. Thank you so much

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Hopeagain1
    Hopeagain1

    Posted

    The title has a typo. It should say "jerky movements before sleep and acting out dreams". Sorry about that.

  • kelle34850
    kelle34850 Hopeagain1

    Posted

    I have spent countless hours scouring the internet for EXACTLY what you are describing. I have been experiencing the EXACT same thing for about a year. I haven't went to the Dr for it yet because it did seem to go away for a while but now has returned and is even worse. I too am female but I am 40. I am baffled. I am scared it's something serious because it feels so awful and awkward.

    Have you found any relief? Have you found the cause? Thank you!

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