RSD and Myclonic Jerks
Page 1 of 1
RSD and Myclonic Jerks
byrd45 Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:14 pm
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 1 of 2 in Discussion
From: byrd45 (Original Message) Sent: 8/18/2005 9:00 AM
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 1 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>byrd45</NOBR> (Original Message) Sent: 8/10/2005 10:12 AM
Hi Everyone,
I thought for this weeks discussion it would be interesting to discuss Myclonic Jerks(Myoclonus). I have been having a few problems with this movement disorder which is a part of my experience with RSD. Some of us get this and some of us don't, since everyone's experience is different with RSD.What has been happening in my case is that when I walk my right arm will suddenly jerk out and slam into whatever is nearby(usually the wall OUCH!).It is uncontrollable and doesn't give me any warning at all. It just happens all at once and that is it until next time.Needless to say this is very frustrating at times. Usually I just brush it off but other times I have cried because of the pain it causes. Not just the pain of hitting the wall. It is the actual jerk itself that really hurts from the sheer force of it and it aggravates the pain which is always in my right arm.I am thankful it only affects my right arm.Anyway it happened again a few nights ago when I was reaching for the gravy to pour on my roast beef and boom my arm jerks and the gravy went everywhere.Luckily the direction it flew didn't come in contact with anyones skin or lap. Nobody was mad except me. I hate feeling like I am not in control of my body, but at least my family understands. I am just glad nobody got burnt. Anyway, here is some information to help us all understand more about myclonic jerks or Myoclonus.........
What is Myoclonus
Myoclonus describes both a symptom and a disease. The disease myoclonus ("myo") muscle ("clonus") jerk, describes a brief, sudden, singular, shock-like muscle contraction that refers to a condition characterized by myoclonus. Myoclonus arises from damage to the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. Myoclonus is activated by an electrical discharge originating in the central nervous system, which is transmitted through peripheral nerves to produce the sudden muscle contractions.
Myoclonic jerks can cause disability by interrupting normal posture or movement. Recurrent or severe myoclonic jerking is characterized by frequent forceful uncontrollable muscle contractions of any body part, or the entire body, making independent motor function impossible. Patients severely afflicted with myoclonus may be unable to stand or ambulate, reach or grasp objects, feed or dress themselves, speak, or even direct their gaze because of the involuntary muscle jerking interfering with all of these functions. Myoclonus is often triggered by movement. Patients may manifest no myoclonus at rest or when asleep, yet may experience uncontrolled jerking when attempting to move. The brief positive muscle contractions of myoclonus are often accompanied with sudden, unexpected inhibitions of muscle contraction, or lapses of posture. This phenomenon, termed negative myoclonus, makes standing, walking, reaching, or grasping objects very difficult.
The diagnostic approach to a patient with myoclonus has a dual objective; identifying the site of origin of the myoclonus within the nervous system, and establishing the cause. Clinicians are able to categorize myoclonus on the basis of its distribution over the body, its electrophysiological characteristics, and its etiology. Electrical recording techniques can often localize the source of myoclonus to the surface of the brain, deep brain structures, or the spinal cord.
WHAT CAUSES MYOCLONUS?
The causes of myoclonus spans a wide spectrum of medical conditions, from normal states to severe diseases. Normal, or physiological myoclonus is not generally disabling and does not usually bring a patient to the physician. One frequently observed example of physiological myoclonus is the sudden, involuntary body jerk that occurs in a normal individual falling asleep. The causes of pathological myoclonus are numerous, and include virtually every known type of brain or spinal cord injury, whether metabolic, nutritional, degenerative, traumatic, vascular, infectious, hereditary or toxic. Oxygen deprivation can induce post hypoxic myoclonus, a particularly severe form with both positive and negative myoclonus, which can cause lapses of posture. Myoclonus can be a defining feature of many medical and neurological diseases, and can be combined with many other symptoms, including epilepsy (which can resemble myoclonus), dementia, growth retardation, poor coordination, visual disturbances, and others. Myoclonus does not cause these additional neurological symptoms but their presence in a patient may suggest the underlying cause, which can be confirmed by additional testing. Myoclonus is not a rare symptom, but a diagnosis may not be made until the patient is evaluated by a specialist who has experience with the condition. Localizing the origin of the myoclonus and defining its causes are pre-requisites for a rationale choice of therapy.
HOW IS MYOCLONUS TREATED?
A number of medications have been found to reduce the severity of myoclonus. Clonazepam and valproate are the two most commonly used, because they tend to be the most effective agents. Often, a single drug is not effective by itself, and combinations of medications are frequently required. Other drugs found to be helpful in some patients are primidone, piracetam and acetazolamide. If combinations of these agents are not successful, the treating physician will keep testing other drugs and will sometimes find one that is beneficial. There have been reports that baclofen, fluoxetine, propranolol and 5-hydroxytryptophan sometimes help.
Focal myoclonus consists of movements that are limited to a specific body part. The most common types of focal myoclonus are
Spinal myoclonus
Propriospinal myoclonus
Arm myoclonus
Palatal myoclonus
Do you have myclonic jerks also? Whether you do or just want to comment or add to this discussion. You can add any comments or experiences to this post. As always I would love to hear from you!
Love,
Robyn
First Previous 2 of 2 Next Last Delete Replies
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 2 of 2 in Discussion
From: byrd45 Sent: 8/18/2005 9:01 AM
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 2 of 6 in Discussion
From: GalenaFaolan Sent: 8/10/2005 2:15 PM
In the past few months I've started with this jerking. It's a big pain, especially when I'm typing! LOL It's not too bad I guess and it's just another form of the uncontrollable jerking that happens a lot to my legs. I've just accepted and go on as normal cause there is nothing I can do.
There is so much we all have to put up with having RSD and with every little thing......the docs understand less it seems. They want to blame it on something else when we already know the cause. I really hope that one day thinking changes and people get more educated.
Love and Hugs,
Karen J
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 3 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>Bunnybigfoot1</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 3:55 PM
I too have these jerks. It is a pain to type. I get them in both arms and legs. I am always having to go back and correct my mistakes. And I always clicking the mouse when I don't want to. Is there anything that helps this? It is driving me crazy! And I find it hard to go to sleep. For some reason it is worse at night. Jeannie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 4 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>glendapullum</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 4:20 PM
I also have been getting this jerking seems like its more when I sit or lay down to relax .I get it in my rt arm/hand and my neck .It drives me nuts
hugs
glenda
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 5 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>countrygalinpain</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 6:54 PM
I get what I call mini seizures. It happens just in my
left leg and it seems to always do it when I stretch.
My leg starts shaking violently and causes horrible
pain. It's just like a seizure except it's just in that
leg. I don't know if this is what it is but it started
right before I was diagnosed.
About my appointment with the specialist, the
hospital will not except medicaid and they require
90% up front for anything done there. I just don't
have it and can't go. Does anyone know of any medical
funding that could help me?
Love,
Christy
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 6 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>Littlelizzy2131</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 8:52 PM
I also get these jerks. I have had them a couple years. I get them in my legs, arms, and full body. It seems that when I get cold they get worse and I can't stop shaking and jerking.
Lizbeth
Recommend Delete Message 1 of 2 in Discussion
From: byrd45 (Original Message) Sent: 8/18/2005 9:00 AM
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 1 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>byrd45</NOBR> (Original Message) Sent: 8/10/2005 10:12 AM
Hi Everyone,
I thought for this weeks discussion it would be interesting to discuss Myclonic Jerks(Myoclonus). I have been having a few problems with this movement disorder which is a part of my experience with RSD. Some of us get this and some of us don't, since everyone's experience is different with RSD.What has been happening in my case is that when I walk my right arm will suddenly jerk out and slam into whatever is nearby(usually the wall OUCH!).It is uncontrollable and doesn't give me any warning at all. It just happens all at once and that is it until next time.Needless to say this is very frustrating at times. Usually I just brush it off but other times I have cried because of the pain it causes. Not just the pain of hitting the wall. It is the actual jerk itself that really hurts from the sheer force of it and it aggravates the pain which is always in my right arm.I am thankful it only affects my right arm.Anyway it happened again a few nights ago when I was reaching for the gravy to pour on my roast beef and boom my arm jerks and the gravy went everywhere.Luckily the direction it flew didn't come in contact with anyones skin or lap. Nobody was mad except me. I hate feeling like I am not in control of my body, but at least my family understands. I am just glad nobody got burnt. Anyway, here is some information to help us all understand more about myclonic jerks or Myoclonus.........
What is Myoclonus
Myoclonus describes both a symptom and a disease. The disease myoclonus ("myo") muscle ("clonus") jerk, describes a brief, sudden, singular, shock-like muscle contraction that refers to a condition characterized by myoclonus. Myoclonus arises from damage to the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and spinal cord. Myoclonus is activated by an electrical discharge originating in the central nervous system, which is transmitted through peripheral nerves to produce the sudden muscle contractions.
Myoclonic jerks can cause disability by interrupting normal posture or movement. Recurrent or severe myoclonic jerking is characterized by frequent forceful uncontrollable muscle contractions of any body part, or the entire body, making independent motor function impossible. Patients severely afflicted with myoclonus may be unable to stand or ambulate, reach or grasp objects, feed or dress themselves, speak, or even direct their gaze because of the involuntary muscle jerking interfering with all of these functions. Myoclonus is often triggered by movement. Patients may manifest no myoclonus at rest or when asleep, yet may experience uncontrolled jerking when attempting to move. The brief positive muscle contractions of myoclonus are often accompanied with sudden, unexpected inhibitions of muscle contraction, or lapses of posture. This phenomenon, termed negative myoclonus, makes standing, walking, reaching, or grasping objects very difficult.
The diagnostic approach to a patient with myoclonus has a dual objective; identifying the site of origin of the myoclonus within the nervous system, and establishing the cause. Clinicians are able to categorize myoclonus on the basis of its distribution over the body, its electrophysiological characteristics, and its etiology. Electrical recording techniques can often localize the source of myoclonus to the surface of the brain, deep brain structures, or the spinal cord.
WHAT CAUSES MYOCLONUS?
The causes of myoclonus spans a wide spectrum of medical conditions, from normal states to severe diseases. Normal, or physiological myoclonus is not generally disabling and does not usually bring a patient to the physician. One frequently observed example of physiological myoclonus is the sudden, involuntary body jerk that occurs in a normal individual falling asleep. The causes of pathological myoclonus are numerous, and include virtually every known type of brain or spinal cord injury, whether metabolic, nutritional, degenerative, traumatic, vascular, infectious, hereditary or toxic. Oxygen deprivation can induce post hypoxic myoclonus, a particularly severe form with both positive and negative myoclonus, which can cause lapses of posture. Myoclonus can be a defining feature of many medical and neurological diseases, and can be combined with many other symptoms, including epilepsy (which can resemble myoclonus), dementia, growth retardation, poor coordination, visual disturbances, and others. Myoclonus does not cause these additional neurological symptoms but their presence in a patient may suggest the underlying cause, which can be confirmed by additional testing. Myoclonus is not a rare symptom, but a diagnosis may not be made until the patient is evaluated by a specialist who has experience with the condition. Localizing the origin of the myoclonus and defining its causes are pre-requisites for a rationale choice of therapy.
HOW IS MYOCLONUS TREATED?
A number of medications have been found to reduce the severity of myoclonus. Clonazepam and valproate are the two most commonly used, because they tend to be the most effective agents. Often, a single drug is not effective by itself, and combinations of medications are frequently required. Other drugs found to be helpful in some patients are primidone, piracetam and acetazolamide. If combinations of these agents are not successful, the treating physician will keep testing other drugs and will sometimes find one that is beneficial. There have been reports that baclofen, fluoxetine, propranolol and 5-hydroxytryptophan sometimes help.
Focal myoclonus consists of movements that are limited to a specific body part. The most common types of focal myoclonus are
Spinal myoclonus
Propriospinal myoclonus
Arm myoclonus
Palatal myoclonus
Do you have myclonic jerks also? Whether you do or just want to comment or add to this discussion. You can add any comments or experiences to this post. As always I would love to hear from you!
Love,
Robyn
First Previous 2 of 2 Next Last Delete Replies
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 2 of 2 in Discussion
From: byrd45 Sent: 8/18/2005 9:01 AM
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 2 of 6 in Discussion
From: GalenaFaolan Sent: 8/10/2005 2:15 PM
In the past few months I've started with this jerking. It's a big pain, especially when I'm typing! LOL It's not too bad I guess and it's just another form of the uncontrollable jerking that happens a lot to my legs. I've just accepted and go on as normal cause there is nothing I can do.
There is so much we all have to put up with having RSD and with every little thing......the docs understand less it seems. They want to blame it on something else when we already know the cause. I really hope that one day thinking changes and people get more educated.
Love and Hugs,
Karen J
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 3 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>Bunnybigfoot1</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 3:55 PM
I too have these jerks. It is a pain to type. I get them in both arms and legs. I am always having to go back and correct my mistakes. And I always clicking the mouse when I don't want to. Is there anything that helps this? It is driving me crazy! And I find it hard to go to sleep. For some reason it is worse at night. Jeannie
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 4 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>glendapullum</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 4:20 PM
I also have been getting this jerking seems like its more when I sit or lay down to relax .I get it in my rt arm/hand and my neck .It drives me nuts
hugs
glenda
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 5 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>countrygalinpain</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 6:54 PM
I get what I call mini seizures. It happens just in my
left leg and it seems to always do it when I stretch.
My leg starts shaking violently and causes horrible
pain. It's just like a seizure except it's just in that
leg. I don't know if this is what it is but it started
right before I was diagnosed.
About my appointment with the specialist, the
hospital will not except medicaid and they require
90% up front for anything done there. I just don't
have it and can't go. Does anyone know of any medical
funding that could help me?
Love,
Christy
Reply
Recommend Delete Message 6 of 6 in Discussion
From: <NOBR>Littlelizzy2131</NOBR> Sent: 8/10/2005 8:52 PM
I also get these jerks. I have had them a couple years. I get them in my legs, arms, and full body. It seems that when I get cold they get worse and I can't stop shaking and jerking.
Lizbeth
byrd45- Admin
- Posts : 1014
Points : 343
Reputation : 0
Join date : 2008-10-29
Age : 60
Location : PA -
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum