Hi Kath,
Has your doc looked into RLS? My wife has that and even though she don't have MS they gave her a med that takes care of the leg jerks at night. Might need to remind your doc that not all things are MS related. I take Baclofen for spasams and now they have the Generic and that to put it bluntly sucks for what it is supposed to help.
Take Care
Dave

When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you are down there!

No one who's been "blessed" with MS should have to worry about anything else, right? Unfortunately, the fact is, the healthier you are, the more comfortable you'll be and the better able to deal with whatever challenges MS brings your way.

Dave,

I've had RLS for years now, but these jerks aren't the same. I guess I shouldn't have called them jerks, they are more like jumping with tight spasms that make my feet twist to positions they normally wouldn't be in. If I try to show someone what they do, I can't.

My sister in law who is a nurse works with alot of brain injured people and MS patients, she saw what happens to me and she said its definately nerve damage.

I don't recall saying my doctor thinks its MS related , she just perscribed what she felt best for the symptoms I'm having.
My arms do the same thing at times. I loose my fork when eating or throw whatever I'm carrying clear across the room. The jerks are very strong and I get no warning. Pretty embarrassing in public.

Thanks for your concern, I'll try the baclofen and see what happens.

Thanks
kath

Hi Kath,

I hope the baclofen helps. It sounds pretty painful. I've had the jerking thing with my legs only a couple of times, but have tossed things several times because of it in my arms. So far mine have been pretty mild I guess and haven't been real painful.

Big (((hugs))) to you girl. Let us know if the baclofen helps.
Lisa

I'm waiting on a dx of fibro and/or ms, and my doc put me on keppra for it. It's an anti seizure med, but they don't really know how it works at the moment. I've been on it for 6 weeks now and before taking it I had the same problem and my ankle actually locked up after my toes tried to touch my heel on two different occasions. I kept elbowing hubby one night and he finally asked me if I was mad. I couldn't help it.
So far I've only had mild muscle jerks and mild muscle spasms and its helping with the brain fog. It's supposed to not affect your kidneys, and although you have to titer off, the withdrawal is very mild. So far, so good...

Hi Kath,
Now that you describe it so much better, I believe it is called Myclonic, I sure the spelling is wrong, but try and google it anyways. I know the jerks you talk about, I've tossed hot coffee on myself and at times looks like my grandaughter just got done eating. I just googled it for you and here is a couple of links that may help you understand what is causing or at least what they are. I get these every now and again and am embarrased to go out to eat, dose'nt seem to bother my wife but than again she dose'nt have to clean up the mess, maybe explains why she feels the need for us to eat out when this is happening

http://house.wikia.com/wiki/Myoclonic_jerk

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/myoclonus/detail_myoclonus.htm

Hi Again Kath,
Here is the link to a discussion we did last year on DS about these, I hope it gets better for you

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Multiple_Sclerosis_MS/forum/13083431-myoclonic-jerks

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU......

Kath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4BBOf4yrJk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

It's this what it looks like?

Alma

Yes Alma but mine are stronger or should I say jerkier

Hi

I'm sorry to know this. Mine are nightly but only a couple, it doesn't hurt but it still scares me. Makes me feel like falling but I try to always hold on to something.

Alma