involuntary jerking of hands and arms

[Japsquar]

On reflection this twitching of hands has been happening for some time at a low level but I’m noticing much more this morning. I started on Pregabalin yesterday for neuropathic pain from spine fractures. Currently on 15mg pred. Has anyone experienced this? Is it likely to get worse? Go away? Should I be doing anything?? It’s not disabling but has reached the level of annoying!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I get occassional jerks of hands/arms. Probably started about the time PMR started but it is very intermittent so hasn't got to annoying yet after 20 years or so! Have you tried magnesium supplements?

[Japsquar in reply to PMRpro]

No, haven’t tried that, but have some I think. Before this morning I hardly noticed it, and as the day’s gone on, it’s got much less, which is reassuring. It is a listed side effect of pregabalin so probably intensified what was there already. At the moment I feel too drunk to care🤣. Which is all very well until I need to do something sensible. Certainly wouldn’t drive! But I’m optimistic, there are signs that the drug may help with the pain.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Japsquar]

Hope so - and that you get used to the stuff.

[Pixix]

Yes. I do. I have Essential Tremor, diagnosed by a Neurologist & a brain scan. I cannot really carry food or drink, take anything out of oven or put it in…it affects my life a lot. Bad days & good days. Baking/cooking ends up very messy!! Often happens as I wake up…hit myself in the face, bash my hand against bedside cabinet, hit my husband. Not much fun socially, plenty of staring people. Don’t get me started on trying to drink soup!! We’ve had food & drink on floor, up walls, everywhere, really. Some days are quite calm, others aren’t. And I don’t eat peas anymore! I’m trialling a drug…building up to taking 16 tablets a day, but I’m taking 8 a day now & it’s not working. The fatigue & other side effects are worse than steroids…for me! The only saving grace is that they don’t ‘wave about’ if resting, eg, sitting quietly, hands on lap, watching TV. I’m NOT saying you have this,I sincerely hope you don’t, but, if you want, you can Google it. There are some good videos of patients trying to have a bowl of soup! I have fibromyalgia as well as PMR & did trial Pregabalin, but this was about 12 years before the tremors started. I only took it for a few weeks, the side effects were too bad, but it was no balance, being totally drunk without alcohol, etc, that made me give it up!

[Japsquar in reply to Pixix]

I so feel for you. What an infuriating thing to deal with. I’m sure you’ve had some laughs which save the day, but at the end of that day you are left with dealing with it. I have nothing like it and hope it ddoesnt develop. I was unaware of such a condition and hope you find something that at ,Essenes it. I’m on day two of pregabalin. Wondering if I’ll be ‘drunk’ again, then so sleepy. The upside is long and deep sleep at night. From what you say the side effects don’t go away!

[Pixix in reply to Japsquar]

The side effects may go away for you, though! I hope so. I wrote about essential tremor so you are aware of it (I’d never heard of it, either)! If your tremors are worse, it could be ET!!! S x

[Japsquar in reply to Pixix]

Hope so too! But it’s good to have the information, in case. Thanks for your reply and do hope you soon find some relief and stop throwing food at the walls! Funny, yes maybe I imagine in some circumstances, but must be humiliating in other circumstances. And then there’s the clearing up. So frustrating. Good luck!

[Pixix in reply to Japsquar]

You’re right! Sometimes I get really depressed with it all, but try to joke about it. We are having the lounge redecorated next month (I can’t paint now, either!!) & then I won’t want it on the walls!! Don’t use China in house & garden, plastics are good! We’ve been shielding (other medical issues) this winter so social stuff hasn’t mattered. The consultant has given me some pills to take for times like airports, plane travel etc, which should help. Plus if I keep my hands lower than my waist it calms down. I don’t wave prettily like royalty all the time! David, my husband, has had enough of clearing up, for sure! Thanks. S x