Twitching

[Bitbit]

So I lay in bed at night and my right shoulder, right arm twitches. I look at it and watch it go. That's not a tremor, or is it? I am so confused. Always the right side. And my right hand is the clumsiest. Anyone else get the twitches?

[etterus]

Sounds like fasiculations... usually benign and not PD related. Could be a sign of nerve root inflammation related to arthritic changes in the spine. Also could be from meds or too much caffeine.

[Hikoi]

Etterus may be right, the only thing I wonder about is that it is all on one side which is suggestive of Parkinsons.

[blessed4431]

Mine does that dr said it was dyskinesia. I have it in my right arm then it went to left and both legs now. It is not all the time

[Hikoi]

Dyskenesia is a side effect of medication. With drug adjustments sometimes it can be controlled. I wonder if you notice it more after your medication blessed. I always thought tremor was from low dopamine levels.

[Joyable in reply to Hikoi]

Tremor was one of my first symptoms - before I started taking any PD medication. So, I also, have assumed that the cause is low dopamine levels.

[Pete-1]

Could be RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome). This may occur as a symptom of PD or all on its own.

I only know I've got it when I don't take Pramipexole. Can also occur in the arm or legs or in both arms and both legs.

Not painful but a real pain in the arse because it stops you being able to sleep. I found twinges occurred about every 15 seconds

Usually occurs when you are at rest, i.e. just when you go to bed.

People with only RLS are sometimes treated with a low dose of Pramipexole. Other Dopamine agonists may also be used.

There is an RLS community on the HealthUnlocked site

[Bitbit]

I am grateful for the replies. I am not on Sinemet, which is why I was confused by it. It sure does keep me awake - get all comfy in your bed and the twitching starts...... :(.

[Pete-1 in reply to Bitbit]

The RLS twitching sensation is akin to a pulse of electricity passing through the affected parts.

With each twinge there comes an almost irresistible urge to move. For example a twinge in my arm will have me vigorously shaking the that arm for 2 or 3 seconds.

There is another condition whose name escapes me for now where the twinges force a corresponding movement but this condition has twinges that are less severe and does not prevent sleep.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

[finlander in reply to Pete-1]

What an excellent description of exactly what I experience. I read a note on "i-Triage" that iron supplements can sometimes help. I tried it and within a few days, the twitching/shudder sensation and/or the RLS was greatly reduced. But now, I've experienced the onset of constipation. Iron supplements are notorious for causing that, as is PD.

[Joyable]

I experience occasional jerks on left side and sometimes it seems like my whole body jerks. I think it's probably different than the twinges you describe. Sometimes they are repetitive and sometimes just one sudden jerk. They don't hurt & have rarely wakened me. My arm tremors and jerks have become bigger & jerkier lately. All this is basically on my left side but my right hand has been noticeably more shaky lately. Think the jerking is probably part of PD or caused by Sinemet . Maybe like mild Michael J Fox movements, Could it be dyskinsia?

[finlander]

You might try the iron supplements. I believe it significantly reduced this bothersome condition for me.