Hi all -I'd be extremely grateful if any one can help me.
About three month I developed a problem sleeping in as much as every time I was just about to fall asleep I would jerk myself awake (usually my legs but sometimes my arms). Since that night I have this constantly and it is begining to play havoc with my life.
I know what these starts are call (Hypnic Jerks) and I realise they are not a health issue and are deemed normal but I can't understand why they have started happening to me and how to deal with them.
I have had anxiety issues in the past so when I went to my Doctor he has tried 3 kinds of anti-depressants - none have had any affect. I appreciate that he should approach it this way but do get a bit frustated that he doesn't think about any other physical cause that may cause it. I know he's heard it before but this started when I had no problems in my life and it may not be anxiety related. I don't think it is RLS as my problem only happens when I am falling asleep.
To get an idea of how it feels, imagine being really tired and as you are falling asleep someone pushes you and continues to do this again and again and again all night everynight. I've been going about so tired and tho' I am loathe to do it, I really think I may have to take some time off work as I am finding so hard to function (I have never done this before).
The only thing that seems to help is alcohol and I do not want to go down this route - although it is very tempting.
If anyone has suffered from this i would really like to hear from you on any tips you may have.
Thanks