Health Crises
Health Crises
I recently developed uncontrolled movements throughout my body while drifting off to sleep which prevent sleep. My sleep specialist (a doctor) believes it is likely restless leg syndrome and has put me on medication, although my symptoms are not the typical RLS symptoms. It is too early to tell if the medication will work but in the interim my anxiety is spiralling out of control as I worry about whether this is the onset of something much more serious, my fear of side effects of the medication, and my fear of what will happen to my son if something happens to me. I am seeing a neurologist on Friday to continue the search for definitive answers, but testing takes time. I have always been a hypochondriac and I need help to get my scary thoughts under control now. I should note that my stress levels have been at an all time high over the past couple of years and I wonder if it is possible that chronic high anxiety can cause of this type of involuntary muscle spasming at night.
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Re: Health Crises
I take Restoril for restless leg syndrome. It started out as muscle twitches or contractions that you couldn't see. Back when I first had them, they didn't have a name for it, I called them "dancing legs". They would look at me funny, but that is exactly what they were doing. I think possibly, they could be anxiety produced. I know that I got more RLS when I was on my anti-depressant. paislee
Re: Health Crises
Thank you, that is very reassuring. It is hard to keep perspective and not gravitate toward the scariest possibility when in reality, the less scary possibilities are much more likely... Your experience will help me stay grounded.
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Re: Health Crises
I'm glad that I could help. 

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Re: Health Crises
I had what really sounds like what you have talked about. I actually found out it was dehydration. I still don't drink as much water as I should BUT I drink more, and I haven't had them in a couple months. I also agree with the above, I do believe anxiety can produce them as well.
Re: Health Crises
I have had what you have since I was 16. I've been on (and now off) almost every medication you can think of. I've been to hospitals, doctors, etc. Accidentally, I was given the wrong pills and I collapsed... they thought I was having a stroke. I wasn't. I was almost back to normal. There is much more to my story, so if you are suffering from the same as I am, we can help each other...lots.
Re: Health Crises
I've seen a couple of Doctors. At this point we think it is probably PLMS - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. They gave me a drug for Parkinson's disease which did not work at all. But what works very well for me is a small dose of xanax at the onset of symptoms at bedtime. It relaxes the muscles and it enables me to sleep through any lingering movements. You might want to get evaluated by a neurologist or sleep specialist like I did and maybe xanax or a similar relaxant (restoril or even ambien) will provide you with relief, too, I hope...