Hypnic jerks or "sleep starts". I had an extensive neurological workup done, including a 2 night sleep study to see if it was seizure-related or sleep apnea, but the doctor said that high stress and anxiety can provoke these sleep jerks at night. It literally takes my breath away. It's right when I'm about to fall asleep, I jolt up violently and I cannot get air into or out of my lungs --- for an entire 8-10 seconds! My partner is very concerned and we sometimes don't go to sleep till very very late when the jolts stop. I am taking care of my mother who is battling cancer and we've been going to Sloan-Kettering for brachytherapy, but I think my mind is just on overdrive and there is nothing that will help me. I even tried Lorazepam (Ativan) but that only made it worse. The doctor thought it would alleviate the symptoms. Has anyone or does anyone go through this thing right before they sleep? And is it stress or maybe my doctors overlooked something? The tests they had given me were super extensive to where I would never go back and do it again. That was torture!!!
Anybody know anything about this? Thanks...
I don't know. I'm frustrated because it's hard to take care of my mom when I can't even take care of myself at this point. I'm soooooooooo sleepy every single minute of the day and have no energy even for my own exercise regimen. Getting depressed over it. I have been to a neurologist, pulmonologist, family doctor, cardiologist -- you name it. :( Thanks for your input!!!
"Medications that doctors commonly prescribe for myoclonus include:
Tranquilizers. Clonazepam (Klonopin), a tranquilizer, is the most common drug used to combat myoclonus symptoms. Clonazepam may cause side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness.
Anticonvulsants. Drugs used to control epileptic seizures have also proved helpful in reducing myoclonus symptoms. The most common anticonvulsants used for myoclonus are levetiracetam (Keppra), valproic acid (Depakene) and primidone (Mysoline). Valproic acid may cause side effects such as nausea. Levetiracetam may cause side effects such as fatigue and dizziness."
Your symptoms sound pretty extreme for simple myclonic sleep jerks.