Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Welcome to Connect, @krissyelkins07,

Here’s what I found –
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

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of this disorder. Some think it may be related to low iron levels or a problem with the nerves in the limbs caused by another condition. It’s important to note that PLMD is not the same as restless legs syndrome (RLS). The majority of patients with RLS have PLMD, but the reverse is not true.

You might be interested in viewing this Connect discussion, where several members have shared their experiences:
– Peripheral neuropathy, RLS and PLMD https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/peripheral-neuropathy-rls-and-plmd/

I’m also tagging @johnhans @barbarn @johnbishop @baumgrenze @usafretired15 @clayhere, as they might be able to shed more light on this condition. @krissyelkins07, could you share a few more details? When did this start? Have you consulted a doctor or sleep therapist?

Hello @krissyelkins07, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @kanaazpereira. I would also echo Kanaaz's question and ask have you discussed the periodic limb movement disorder with your doctor or sleep therapist? From what I have read about it, PLMD is associated with sleeping. Here are a few references I found.

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

Thank you for all of the detailed information. I've had PLMD and RLS since I was about 14. I can handle the RLS it's the PLMD that I am constantly fighting. The twitching during the day but mostly at night. The acking and pain in them is unbearable sometimes. I've been on every medication possible until my body doesn't respond to it. I finally did an EEG which came up fine and sleep study. The sleep study came up that I have severe PLMD and RLS and to take 1200 MG of Gabapentin and 600 MG of Mirapex. I work in finance and theres on way I could function that. My doctor never went over my my sleep study he just said over the phone what I told you. I'm wondering how severe is it? What do the PLMD arousal number mean. Will this keep getting worse? I have to take mirapex throughout the day because insurance doesn't like to cover time release. When I was on different insurance they covered Nuepro patches. Those worked so well. My doctor at the time referred me to Seattle doctors after 6 months of seeing him. No one in Seattle specialist in PLMD. Are there other people out there going through what I am? Are there different medications that help better so I don't have off time. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

@krissyelkins07 -- @kanaazpereira mentioned low iron levels may be related to the PLMD condition. I did find some treatment information and it was mentioned along with other nonpharmacology therapy.

UpToDate - Treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder in adults
-- https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-restless-legs-syndrome-and-periodic-limb-movement-disorder-in-adults?topicRef=4892&source=see_link

Have you made any lifestyle changes in your diet to see if they help? I did see that caffeine-containing products such as chocolate, coffee, tea, and soft drinks should be avoided. Also, many antidepressants can cause a worsening of PLMD in many patients and should be reviewed, discussed and replaced by your doctor. This was mentioned in the Cleveland Clinic PLMD information here:
-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14177-periodic-limb-movement-disorder-plmd-in-adults/management-and-treatment

@krissyelkins07 I'm sorry I didn't see your question about what does the PMLD arousal number mean. I think it means the following -- The PLM Index (PLMI) is calculated by dividing the total number of PLMs by sleep time in hours. Periodic Limb Movements Index of more than 5 and less than 25 is considered mild; PLMI of >25 and <50 is considered moderate and >50 is severe. Here's the source:
-- http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2010;volume=56;issue=2;spage=157;epage=162;aulast=Natarajan

Thank you so much for all of this valuable information!

I have leg jerks 2 feet off the ground after I eat lunch or dinner. Crap on this feeling news. I have myoclonic jerks not feelings. So, you say PLMD happens only in sleep. Am I different. Help some one. I start jerks as I lay awake in the morning and when starting to get drowsy after meals. Nor Restless leg feeling but physicalo cerebral motor one cell firing jerks. Like a cat Not in sleep!!!help someone..Please

Hello @bill54321, welcome to Connect. It must be difficult trying to deal with these symptoms and not find any answers. There is an older discussion on Connect where @daisy3, @ctandy1271 and @mhall2eat have discussed Myoclonus - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myoclonus/. Hopefully the members may be able to share some suggestions with you if they are still on Connect. I did find some other information that may be helpful to you.

NIH - Myoclonus Fact Sheet: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Myoclonus-Fact-Sheet

Mayo Clinic - Myoclonus - Diagnosis & Treatment: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myoclonus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350462

NCBI - Treatment of Myoclonus (PDF) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3899494/pdf/13311_2013_Article_216.pdf

Has your doctor provided any suggested treatments?

Hi, @bill54321 - I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and also introduce to you even more members who are familiar with myoclonic jerks and may have input on whether you are different in having them not only in sleep, but when you lay awake in the mornings or when starting to get drowsy after meals. @jenniferhunter has talked about myoclonic jerks, as has @kerivb and @lizaa @nikkyuze.

How have you managed these myoclonic jerks thus far, bill54321? Are you taking any medication for this at this time?

@bill54321 When I had myoclonic jerks it was when I was passing out during a painful nerve conduction test and my stress level was pretty high. It makes me wonder if it is part of a fight or flight response. That's just a hunch; I don't have data to support it. The doctor sent me to a sleep study and I did kick my leg as I was falling asleep. Sometimes I wake myself up doing that and it seems to be when I'm half asleep half awake. I do have twitches from time to time when I'm awake, but don't think about it. I think stress causes more of it. Twitches can also happen from pressure on nerves and we all develop patterns in our fascia of the way we move and rest. A physical issue like that can be treated with myofascial release which is a form of stretching and physical therapy. The fascia is a big net that can get stuck and everything held in it can get stuck and stop moving properly and it can compress a muscle or nerve. When I am stressed, my body reacts, and muscles and fascia tighten up. My physical therapist helps and I do a lot of stretching on my own. My other thought could be something like a magnesium deficiency which is common. Magnesium helps muscles relax and is needed for detox pathways in the body. We do have a discussion on Myofacial Release. I don't know if it will help, but it is something to try and your body can learn to relax doing this. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/