Hypnic Jerks

[tyreon]

Anyone here suffer from this condition after a ride out? I do,now. I'm not a road man but a loper cyclist and whereas I used to put in miles I do so less now because of age and other factors. Still,after some modest miles out now on a folder I return home somewhat fatigued but fit,shower and relax and go to bed. The trouble is as I am sleeping I am suddenly brought awake by what seems my heart stopping so that I am jerked awake. Its a most upsetting condition wherein to rest and sleep again is somewhat....nervewracking?

Sometimes back,some 10 years maybe,when I went to my doctor for some other minor ailments I bought up this uncomfortable ailment not knowing its name. I described it. The doctor was nonplussed about it. I detailed what I have said above and then gave examples wherein cats or dogs can twitch or shudder when sleeping,some waking when their twitches get too violent. He said he didnt know about it and had never seen any animal perform this behaviour! I bit my tounge as any professional can learn,but that earlier still I had had to diagnose a condition I later had confirmed by a specialist.

I just wondered if there are any other cyclists who have experienced this phenomena,and if theres anything anyone would suggest that would help alleviate it happening after a ride. Its pretty unpleasant. AI named the diagnosis. Apologies,but Ive found my two former doctors useless and one near on aggressive. I know there to be doctors and doctors,and many stories behind many.

[Danneaux]

By any chance, have you ever been tested for sleep apnea?

It is a condition where breathing can start and stop multiple times a night, causing disturbed sleep or sudden wakefulness. There's a couple kinds, obstructive and central.

Migth be worth pursuing this with your doctors as a possible diagnosis. Given what you've written here, I am surprised they didn't mention the possibility.

As far as heart-related concerns, it is common for doctors to prescribe wearing a Holter heart monitor to record any anomalies during the period under study -- including sleep.

Best (and curious!), Dan.

[brummie]

Hi Tyreon, I have frequent hypnic jerks. Annoying, and have had maybe 4x 24hr ECG monitoring sessions over the last 10 years ( more recently at my request.) My doctors too, are not particularly concerned. Mine usually occur in the evenings after work as I begin to relax - sometimes I can experience 4 or 5 jerks in what maybe a handful of seconds. Dan mentioned Sleep Apnea, which my doctors have always dismissed as they tell me I am not overweight ! - I am not totally convinced by this as a statement, and I do snore occassionally, so I am told. I generally sleep very well, though my Garmin indicates I get very little deep sleep, which is a concern assuming this Garmin technology is accurate? Can 3 or 4 coffees a day be to blame? ( No caffeine after 3pm ) I have a low resting heart   rate usually about 42bpm.  Hope my reply may put you at ease with regards the jerks, they're annoying, but I guess we have to have faith in the ECG scans and doctors expertise.

[tyreon]

Thanks both for your kind replies. I'm gonna mull over both to try and seek elucidation!

FWIW I believe these...happenings...began after I was prescribed the wonder drug Vioxx(for systemic arthritis)and which was later found out to be a 'poison'. Our American cousins died or received compo for taking this drug,but our own peoples here not a brass razoo. I was already halving my prescribed drug when I found out it was being withdrawn from the market. From this time in until I stopped taking it, my sleep jerks waned until now when and after I do a longish ride(and the ride is not long nor unduly strenuous,believe me!)

What caused me to come here was that the sudden jerk which awakes me is quite unsettling. Read that again! And having had it you are not inclined to go back to rest and sleep. I now dont get it at any other times. Sometimes,somewheres!,you meet a forum or a person who can offer advice or experience of a problem. Your two replies are two worth consideration. Thanks.

Finally,its getting in to see a receptive medical practioner. Then in having some belief in some. With apologies but from personal experience