Strange jerks

[dude1965]

Hi,

I have been having some strange jerks.. Firstly I get a strange sensation, then a pin-prick, then a jerk which can be my upper body or head. It all happens very quickly. I also noticed I am getting some sensations very very frequently which are noticeable when things are quiet, particularly when I am lying down at night. There is no jerk as such. I woke the other night and noticed these and its very frightening. I have not been able to concentrate for the past two days through worry. As far as the jerks go, I have had these for about 10 months or so.. Help appreciated.

[MG (Admin)]

Are you able to suppress them even for a few seconds?

[dude1965]

Thank you for your reply, I have no control over the bigger ones that have the sensation before them, they catch me unaware. The smaller different ones, I notice them more when I look for them if that makes sense, but I can't stop them, they just happen? The bigger ones seem to only happen between 2 and 5 times a day, the smaller ones every few seconds. My head has felt numb the past few days and I don't feel like doing anything at all, but I think that is worry..

[dude1965]

Hi I wanted to add some history to help.. I've been weight training for 25 years, heavy bench presses, 140kg+. My bodyweight is 105kgs. I have had problems in the past with back spasms that extend round the chest.. I take glucosamine sulpate every day, 3 tablets, have done so for a long time, years. Also a Vitamin pill and Calcium and Cod Liver oil. On training days I take Creatine Ethyl Ester and recently Nitric Oxide. I also have a history of stress related problems, 15 years or so. I was on Clomipramine Hydrochloride for 6 years, and lots of others before that, but have been drug free for a year. I still suffer from stress greatly.. and worry about my health a lot..

[MG (Admin)]

Have you ever experienced anything you would describe as a "tic", or any tendency to OCD / ADHD?
Is there any family history of Tourette's?
Have you had an EEG?

[dude1965]

Is a tic what I'm describing? I'm not sure of the meaning of the question since I'm not aware of the medical explanation of a tic i.e. brought on by the individual or the result of a brain problem/shorting. As far as OCD goes, not officially, although I was told my thoughts were obsessive. But these came about because I had 15 years of anxiety and social anxiety problems, so I was always thinking about it and how to tackle it and that I wasn't getting anywhere, that was on my mind all the time and still is to a degree. My extensive blood test was clear, but I still get the problems. I need help but the NHS doctors here are not very forthcoming, if its stress related I need help for it. My whole day is filled with stress. Since I got these episodes if I watch a film thats got action and a lot of emotion, I don't feel well at all. Putting on my surround sound makes it even worse.. Sounds silly doesn't it! My head feels so pressured alot of the time and sometimes my eyes hurt.

[dude1965]

Sorry I forgot, no I have not had an EEG. I think the doctors think there is nothing wrong with me and and don't even offer to help with the stress other than write a prescription. I don't want more drugs..

[MG (Admin)]

How does stress affect your symptoms?
Has a neurologist examined you?

[dude1965]

Hi, no a neurologist has not examined me. I have an appointment for the March. I have done some digging around and something that seems to fit is tardive dyskinesia. I have been on Clomipramine Hydrochloride for years and these symptoms can be a side effect of this drug and in particular after long term use of anti-psychotics. Its possible (and only possible) that when I am unconciously tensing my head its worse.

[MG (Admin)]

Let us know what the neurologist finds on exam.
What drugs are you on now?

[dude1965]

Hi I'm not on any drugs at the moment. The neurologist wasn't very thorough. She did a couple of tests involving eye moment and and a couple of other similar tests and said she didnt think there was anything wrong. Today I have had a massive jolt, whole upper body. These are rare but I do still get them. I also still get lots of smaller internal feeling ones that have no movement seeming inside my head. I also get the single pin-pricks still which can be anywhere on the body.

The neurologist suggested a tic, but I am positive she is wrong. I have no desire to satisfy a sensation, nor do I get any relief from movement. The movements catch me unawares. Sometimes the sensation and movement happen at exactly the same time. The jolt this morning had no sensation.

The frequency of these problems is erratic, some days I have a lot, others few (some smaller ones I think go unnoticed if I'm busy moving around). I think I would need monitoring for 24 hours at least.

Do blood tests show the whole picture? I think they are looking at the blood tests and saying because they are normal there is nothing wrong.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[MG (Admin)]

I really think you should be sent for an EEG...maybe even a sleep deprived EEG. Has your neurologist discussed this possibility with you?

[dude1965]

Hello, thanks for your reply. No the neurologist has not given me any options. Basically, I have had my appointment and thats its. Its closed as far as they are concerned. I'm not sure what I should do. Should I say I haven spoken to another neurologist and they have recommended an EEG?

[MG (Admin)]

Perhaps go see a neurologist specializing in epilepsy . Let us know how it goes