Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Alan McDougall on 11/10/2008 17:43:58

Title: What can the cause be of bad jerks while trying to get off to sleep
Post by: Alan McDougall on 11/10/2008 17:43:58
Hey everyone,

I have had almost violent jerks sometimes while still awake but always in the process of trying to go to sleep

I suddenly wake up, in a shock. Generally my heart is beating fast, my breathing is somewhat heaving, and I get a rush of panic through my body.

These jerks are so intense sometimes I feel I am going to bounce off the bed. I calm down try again to go to sleep and BAM it happens again.

It is sometimes so bad I get afraid to go to sleep

It can happen to me about 3/4 times before I fall asleep

 


Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

Alan

Title: Re: What can the cause be of bad jerks while trying to get off to sleep
Post by: dentstudent on 11/10/2008 18:14:47
IIRR, when this happens, you are in that mid-phase between sleep, and hence only partial body paralysis, and wakedness. I have them too, as does pretty much everyone. Often the dream is about jumping over something or falling etc, and because you're body is not yet fully paralysed (as it becomes in sleep, otherwise we would act out our dreams) you react to the dream with a muscle spasm. There is a name for it, but I forget. "Something Jerks" (if you know what I mean...). I'll look...
Title: Re: What can the cause be of bad jerks while trying to get off to sleep
Post by: dentstudent on 11/10/2008 18:15:15
Hypnic Jerk.

(No offence) [:o)]
Title: Re: What can the cause be of bad jerks while trying to get off to sleep
Post by: Alan McDougall on 11/10/2008 18:44:05
Yeah!!

Thanks that explains the Jerks I thought it might be the beginning of epilepsy, silly me I hope  [:I]

There is un- unnamed guy on the forum who thinks I am a real Jerk, Who know maybe he is right  [;D] [;)]

Alan

Title: Re: What can the cause be of bad jerks while trying to get off to sleep
Post by: dentstudent on 11/10/2008 18:47:15
Glad to have helped!