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What Causes Body Jerks While Sleeping?

Posted on Tue, 20 May 2014

Question: My Father had cervical spine operation, he was suffering from tingling and pain in hand. There were degenerative spondylotics changes and diffuse bulges found in C5-C6. It was 4.7mm. Operation was done 1 dec 2013, now its been 5 months, he gets jerks while sleeping, he was not getting jerks before operation. After operation he is fed up with jerks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be due to nerve irritation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The jerks that your father is feeling can be related to minor inflammatory or minor neurological changes like inverted supinator jerks. It can also happen due to nerve irritation or lysthesis post fusion.
There is possibility of discitis, which can be confirmed by MRI with contrast or CT myelogram.
For these symptoms analgesic and neurotropic medication can be started after consulting a neurologist.
Till time, avoid lifting weights, Sit with support to back. You can consult physiotherapist for help.
Physiotherapy like ultrasound and TENS therapy will help
I will advise to check his vit B12 and vit D3 level.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Thanks you Dr. XXXXXXX

I actually selected user category to Neurologist. Can you please redirect this question to Neurologist.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
I had a discussion with a neurologist working in my hospital. He agrees with my advice and has given a similar opinion. Your father needs prescription neurotropic medicines after a physical examination to assess the severity of the problem. Here a physical consultation with a neurologist will be helpful for dosage individualization and treatment monitoring.
Other techniques like acupuncture and TENS are also helpful in some cases.
I cannot transfer this query to a Neurologist in the middle of our discussion.
I hope you understand.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

I will get my father started with Physiotherapy ( Ultrasound and tens), will that have any effect on operation.

I will also check his VIT B12 and D3.
What other test you recommend?

Can you recommend any herbal medicines?
He has been taking lot of medicines after operation , he is pissed off now.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Physiotherapy will help

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Physiotherapy will help in decreasing the jerks. It will not affect the operation.
In case the problem is persistent then MRI with contrast or CT myelogram.are recommended.
Vitamin B 12 supplements will also help.
Herbal medicines can be taken after consulting an ayurveda specialist.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX
Appreciate your reply.
Can you please recommend few B12 supplements.

Regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
mentioned below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
He can take 1500 mcg of oral methylcobalamin supplement every night like Nurokind G ( in combination with gabpentin) or mecobalamin- a multivitamin supplement for at least two weeks to see an effect.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar