Is this a neurological disease?

[iamhot2]

Someone asked me about this. Sometimes when she dozes off while reading books, she would be suddenly awaken by a light body spasm, like hands twitching.

Since I haven't learned enough, I don't know what that is. What is it? Anyone knows?

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[Skialta]

It is called a hypnic jerk or startle reaction and occurs during stage 1 of sleep. Doubtful that it is a seizure because it sounds like the person is aware of it and what you describe doesn't fit any other seizure pattern.

 

[toofache32]

I do the same thing when I start going through withdrawal.

 

[Stinger86]

I used to get this thing where after reading for about 10 minutes... I fall asleep. It really only affected me during my M1 year though.

And during genetics, surprisingly.

 

[closertofine]

No, that happens to me often when I'm falling asleep...as it does to most people, I've heard...it's called sleep myoclonus, I think...here ya go...

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/myoclonus_doc.htm

Edit: Oops, sorry, misinformation...forgive me! 😛

 

[iamhot2]

I read it, but it is not myoclonus. that is a type of disease.
"hypnic jerk" is probably the proper name for it. i am glad that it is not a disease.

i have to admit it now, i made up that "she." i am the one who is having this. haha. i thought that something is wrong with me, or maybe something is wrong with the genes that i have which cause me the symptoms, or due to lack of calcium.

guess i am already having that typical med. student mentality now.

No, that happens to me often when I'm falling asleep...as it does to most people, I've heard...it's called sleep myoclonus, I think...here ya go...

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/myoclonus_doc.htm

 

[ashkan33]

i'm not sure but if we're talking about the same thing but it happens right before you fall alseep. nobody really knows exactly what it is but i believe kandel(the big neuroscience guy) describes it as your corticospinal tract shutting off right before you fall asleep. kind of makes sense since we don't have any voluntary muscle control in our sleep.

 

[fpr85]

it's perfectly normal. i do it too.

 

[iamhot2]

i don't remember having those before i started med. school. it happens sometimes when i doze off in class. i was a little panic, i thought what if i also make a big noise. that would be something.

but i never get it when i try to sleep in bed though.

 

[GrandMasterB]

i am not sure what a hypnic jerk is, but i wouldnt say it doesnt fit a seizure pattern at all. juvenile myclonic epilepsy presents with myclonic jerks especially at night, during and around sleep. it is one of the most treatable forms of epilepsy. it dont know what your friend has, but just a thought. you would really need to delve a little more into the history- and discuss this with someone more qualified.

 

[Smoke This]

I read it, but it is not myoclonus. that is a type of disease.
"hypnic jerk" is probably the proper name for it. i am glad that it is not a disease.

Myoclonus isn't a disease; it's just a term for a type of movement. You are indeed exhibiting myoclonus, but it's not pathological.

It's also definitely not juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

 

[Skialta]

I assumed the person of question was out of the typical age range for onset 10-16. Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy is an absence seizure with myoclonic jerks, so I would assume the patient would not know about the jerks unless someone told them.

 

[Discobolus]

I used to get this thing where after reading for about 10 minutes... I fall asleep. It really only affected me during my M1 year though.

And during genetics, surprisingly.

Wow, I'm suprised you fell asleep during genetics. It's like the most well taught, awesome, totally cool class I've ever taken 😀

 

[woolie]

I notice that this happens to me when I fall asleep, but mostly when I am really over tired or when my stress/sleep levels are out of whack.

Maybe there is a correlation in there somewhere, or a neurological dimension that comes from the disruption of regular sleep patterns.