Hello @seamuspg and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like you have had a number of symptoms that make life more difficult for you.

Have you received a diagnosis or a treatment plan yet?

Hello:
I really wasn't kidding about the spider hallucinations. I had one so vivid I could almost pick to each individual hair on the body. And very colorful. My hallucinations are all over the place,, Many nature like spiders, birds, squirrels come to mind. Also doorbells, fire alarm, female voices. My newest one is a creaking door. I heard it when in the bathroom. I Italy thought it was the linen closet door and looked to see it was closed. That one was a bit unnerving. The others I can reason with myself it isnt real. My way to tell if visual - there is way too much clarity and detail the I wouldn't normally see.

The jerks have no rhyme or reason. I can also go for days or weeks with out one then whammo!!Big jerk. Sometimes almost knock something over.
I definitely have sleep problems. I was taking Clonanzapam for a few years which helped somewhat but wasn't a great help. Those have slowed down quite a nit with new meds.

Ahh - the smells. Yes - I wish I could smell a nice bbq dinner. But -no - I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. Guess what I smell sometimes - yup that wonderful small. Mainly I have a king oof chemical or burnt plastic smell.

And along with the sense of smell gone - my sense of taste is all but gone. This has been gradual since 2010. Now taste gone except for the basic tastebud stuff - sweet, sour, bitter etc. No real flavors. I eat with my eyes, textures and memory. I look at it and know what it is, I know what texture to expect and remember what it should taste like. With that info I can try to make myself hallucinate to taste it 🙂

I have found relief from the pain, stiffness, mood swings, sleep, relaxation, tremors and more.
My neurologist has observed me before and after and can tell a definite difference. He cannot advocate for it - but he said he isn't discouraging it.

I understand there is no cure or magic pill to make this stuff go away. My neurologist calls whatever we do to get relief palliative care. That can be PT, exercise, prescription drugs, etc.

I say this and hope this will not reflect negatively on me.
I have been a medical marijuana patient since 2017. My wife first words were - I have my husband back. Getting with the right MMJ doc can make a big dirfference. He/she will review your history and determine if you would benefit.

Im not one that does well with heavy medicated feelings. It took a little while - its like a prescription med - you have to pay around with a couple and adjust dosages to get the relief you are looking for.
Once you find the right formulation you are off to the races.

If you or anyone else reading this wants more detailed info on my experience and "words of wisdom" before your first trip to the dispensary I'd be glad to answer.

I'm not sure where you are and if they have a medical program.
Lots of stigma attached to it - but if it helps and doesn't effect me negatively (like many other prescription meds) Im all for it. And the fact my neurologist didn't dissuade me from it is a good thing.

I used to sit back and think I am trapped in a failing body and can't get out. Learned to deal with it over the years.
Now that the mind is also failing - I'm stuck in a body and mind that are failing.

The MMJ helps me deal with life one day at a time while relaxing with less pain, anxiety and I want to go out of the house and be around other people more. Something that hasn't been on my top ten list - was wanting to be more isolated and less social. Now that is better.

Stay safe and well.

Peace
Larry H.

One other thing - have you ever talked to a good chiropractor? I was checking into all avenues for some relief and finally went. I'm glad I did. most of my back and neck pain is gone or much more tolerable. Less tingling in the legs and feet. Feel a little better on the digestive tract.
Might be worth looking into if you haven't tried it.
Helps with several things but certainly not all.

Peace
Larry H.