Before his DX , I noticed my Dh was twitching and/or jerking especially while sleeping. I mentioned to Dr at last visit and she said it was a symptom . DH in moderate stage . It is getting worse to the point that my Dh asked me about it. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this and anything that may help. So relieved to have found all f you to turn to.
Hi Joan. First , I'd like to commend you for providing the valuable service this website provides. As one with a DH recently Dz as atypical AD, I didn't know where to turn. I actually found you by searching HELP for Alzheimer's spouse. I felt so desperate to find someone who really understood. Since December, I am on many times a day searching for HELP. Found lots of info on the discussions you brought up . Thank. Is there a way for me to research myself?
Lorrie,my DH just started the twitching and jerking in his sleep a few days ago.Have an app't at the dr. this PM,anxious to hear what she says,but I think it's the natural progresson of this horrible disease. His one leg has swollen also, and needs to be looked at,
Lorrie, my husband Jeff is in early stage 7 (just hospice-approved...for now) but he has had myoclonic jerking and twitching since the onset of stage 6. Sometimes they are big, whole-body jerks which will cause him to topple if he's standing up, but even when he's sitting there can be ongoing twitching. Not everyone has it, but as we know--AD has different ways of damaging each brain, and this twitching is a relatively common symptom.
For a while, they tried controlling it with a Parkinson's drug, but it didn't help.
I am glad you found us. The message boards are only part of this website. Be sure to log onto the home page - www.thealzheimerspouse.com - and look through all of the resources on the left side, as well as the previous blogs. There are many topics in the blogs with which you will be able to relate. There is a search feature right below where it says "previous blogs". Type in a topic, and a blog will come up.
I hope you realize what a gift you are to so many of us struggling through a most difficult time. Even now as I read your kind reply giving me more sources of support, I am amazed at how throughout Your own struggle you are there to help others. Thank you and I will certainly use all these resources to survive.
Lorrie, it is myoclonus. Lloyd used to twitch and jerk every morning before he even got out of bed. My theory was that sometimes his body woke up before his brain did. I tried to keep him in bed for a little longer; but if he got up, he could twitch and jerk himself to the floor a half a dozen times. First I eliminated his sleeping pills and started giving him liquid Neurontin (gapapentin). Then I started back with one fourth of a sleeping pill (25mg Trazadone. He is now taking half a Trazadone. I must honestly say the Neurontin worked for me. He will still twitch a little when he's sleeping, but that is it. He has not twitched and jerked and fallen from that for a good 7 months. Oh, he still falls from time to time - maybe once a month, but then it's almost like someone hit his "off" switch and he just falls over backwards. Thank God he hasn't injured himself seriously from falling for a long, long time! His bumps and bruises now are from standing in the doorways, looking down, and then turning and whacking his head on the door frame.