Moving arms while sleeping

Posted by nanalinda @nanalinda, Dec 22, 2022

Does anyone else have this problem? I wear a CPAP and only get about 2-3 hours of sleep that registers on the machine. While I am sleeping I take my mask off and then I start moving my arms. I raise them in the air, I shake them, I rub my ear and shake my arm. Then after that I rub my face etc. In the morning I am exhausted. I couldn't figure out what I was doing until I recorded me sleeping.
Is there anything that can be done to help me?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 22, 2022

@nanalinda, does this sound like what you are experiencing?
"Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is characterized by twitching, flexing, and jerking movements of the legs and arms during sleep. The movements occur every 20 to 40 seconds and may last for minutes or hours throughout the night. People with PLMD don’t know their limbs are moving, and are unable to control or stop them." https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1188558-overview

nanalinda | @nanalinda | Dec 22, 2022

Yes I have PLM and RLS. I take Mirapex for it but I still move my arms during sleep.

Thank You

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 23, 2022

In reply to @nanalinda "Yes I have PLM and RLS. I take Mirapex for it but I still move my..." + (show)

Hi @nanalinda, There is another discussion you might find helpful since you mentioned you have PLM and RLS.

-- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/periodic-limb-movement-disorder/

You may have already seen these but I thought I would share them again just in case you haven't seen them.

National Sleep Foundation – Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
— https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/periodic-limb-movements-disorder
SleepEducation.org
— http://sleepeducation.org/sleep-disorders-by-category/sleep-movement-disorders/periodic-limb-movements/overview-facts
Medical News Today – Periodic limb movement disorder: Symptoms and treatment
— https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317911.php

@dodeebug, @barbarn, @sussan, @marye2, @lorettat, @engelee and @bill54321 may also have some thoughts or suggestions to share with you.

Have you considered seeking help from a major teaching hospital or health facility like the Mayo Clinic? If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, contact one of the appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

nanalinda | @nanalinda | Mar 26, 2023

I posted this before but haven't found anything that helps. While sleeping I move my arms--not just a little but I shake one while rubbing my ear, ring my hands, run my hand over my face and body. This happens every night and therefor I am very sleep deprived. I have tried every medications there is. Was checked out for Parkinsons and I don't have that. Will be having an EEG to see if I have frontal lobe seizures but I am sure I don't have them. I am pretty sure I don't act out my dreams as I don't dream. I have read on the RLS site that if you take dopamine too long it could cause arm movement. Has anybody experienced any symptoms like mine? I also have RLS . I noticed it when I about 16 and now it is 24/7. Without Mirapex (a dopamine) I couldn't cope. Help!!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 26, 2023

In reply to @nanalinda "I posted this before but haven't found anything that helps. While sleeping I move my arms--not..." + (show)

@nanalinda, I see you are still struggling with finding the cause of moving your arms in your sleep. Did you see this related discussion?
— Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/periodic-limb-movement-disorder/