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Leg Spasms Causing Intermediate Leg Jerks at Night
I have suffered from leg spasms leading to jerks for several years, and treated by neurology as restless leg syndrome. I have had nerve conduction testing, several types of medications, physical therapy, and injections to no avail. In 2024, I saw a Mayo Sleep Specialist who truly listened to me, and said I had Periodic Limb Movement Disorder or PLMD. Buprenorphine subloxene was prescribed which kept the legs jerks at bay, mostly, until early part of this year. Dr. Tashman asked me to see a neurologist for further studies, and I wrote to the Mayo neurology to schedule a MRI. I had spinal fusion L5-S1 December 2014, which the lumbars above the hardware are "stacking" on L4 and L5. I also have a "C" scoliosis curvature, which compounds the nightly leg jerks. I feel I have a compressed nerve or herniated disc pressing onto a nerve. Last MRI was 2023, with a spinal cord stimulator inserted, which the test was incomplete due to the laborious time the MRI took (methodically time-sensitive and uncomfortable conditions)
Any thoughts?
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The Mayo MRI is far superior. See if you can get the Mayo consult with your local doctor recommending.
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1 ReactionRestless leg syndrome?
A 2019 MRI revealed subluxation at C1/T7 and I was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy and had urgent surgery, C4/T4 decompression and fusion. After a couple of moths I was plagued by leg jerks at night. I was treated by my neurologist with baclofen at first with increasing dosage and then tizanidine was added. Jerking till present. I did not want a baclofen pump. My neurologist offered to write me a script for marijuana to see if it would help which I declined. Then he said I may want to explore sublingual delivery of cbd oil. I did and I’m so glad I did. It was the only remedy that had a somewhat immediate reaction and made evening relax time and sleep so much more bearable. Eventually, after increasing dosages they were still present, but just not as bad. I needed to explore further and find someone who was an expert on treating this symptom. After being turned down for an appointment with Mayo, I pushed my doctor to identify some experts in the Chicago area that may be able to help me. Luckily I was able to see a spine specialist downtown who diagnosed me as having nocturnal myoclonus. She put me on clonazepam which has changed my life. I’ve never slept better since my surgery and continue to do so. And I don’t use cbd oil any longer. Baclofen usage is being methodically reduced, too. While baclofen and tizanidine help with spasticity, I needed an anti-seizure medication is the way it was explained to me. The cause was spinal cord scarring from my 2019 surgery. Hope my story helps and good luck.
@pikemike
Dear pikemike,
Your story does help me, and I appreciate you writing at length your trials and errors in finding a solution to the leg jerks at night.
I wrote a few of your tips down, and will in time see the neurologist at Mayo soon. I had used Tizanidine in the past, but I am willing to give it a try. Clonazepam as well. I am wondering if I too have spinal cord scarring. from the spinal cord fusion in 2014.
Thank you for commenting on my blog, I appreciate it very much. I will let the viewers know in time the process to figure this out.
Tizanide helps me with stiffness I feel after getting after sitting for prolonged time.
Clonazepam fixed my shaking legs. Good luck.