Nocturnal Myoclonus/twitching

[jhallhallj]

About 5 years ago I began having jolts as I am drifiting off to sleep. In the beginning, I thought it was apnea, but later found that it some condition called nocturnal myoclonus. Reluctantly to take Benzos, I was tired of being tired because of the continual myoclonus. I started on .5MG of klonopin, but as time when on a few months, I needed 1.0, then 1.5 a few months later, then 2.0, then 2.5...Finally, I thought 2.5 was going to work because it finallly stopped any myoclonus. Last night, I noticed some minor muscle twitching, so I took a .5 of Xanax thinking it would help. Anyhow, I had another bout of myoclonus. I took an extra .5 MG of klonopin and it helped enough to get a half decent night of sleep. I am starting to get concerned about the situation. Is this just a case of needing to still find the right dose to work for longer than 3-4 months, or is my underlying problem worsening or does the body quickly become tolerant to the drug. If any one else has this kind of problem, what have you finally tried and worked to eliminate myoclonus with success. Is 2.5 or 3.0 an alarming dose for people with a myoclonus condition???? My doctor, of course, says he is not worried until I get into the 5-6MG dosage. What could this condition be?

Thanks for any response,

Jason Hall

[Johnnyzen]

[Have you tried mirapex? It is perscribed for restless leg. I have resless leg at night, and use a small dose. It helps stop the jumpiness.

[acousticiris]

I am presently living with the same condition, and medication. Three weeks ago, I began to "jerk awake" just as I was reaching the point of falling asleep. It goes on for hours, sometimes the entire night. (It's complicated by the fact that the jerking awake is so unnerving that it is almost immediately followed by the stress reaction of having it happen). I've been prescribed Klonopin 0.5MG, once at night, and it worked for about the first 3 days I was taking it. I still had the jerking, but it was significantly midler (before I'd get almost a full lower body jerking sensation, now maybe a muscle or two would minorly jerk)...Since those three days, the medication seems to be getting less and less effective. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow to see about dosage or medication changes.
If you happen to find anything out about this further, post it -- I'm dying to get this fixed...I can deal with not sleeping, but the torture of being awakened just at the point of falling asleep is horrible.

I have similar symptoms but noticed it started with a general muscle tightness in my throat chest, back and everywhere about 5 years ago. I have believed the jerking awake was due to throat closure or general breathing restriction due to the general tightness. Now I am not sure. Have any of you considered this as a possible contributor to the problem and tried yoga or other stretching?