Spasms

[NCDisneyMom]

First, I have already consulted my son's pediatrician about this issue. They do not want to see him yet, and he is scheduled for an EEG on January 3rd, at which time they will evaluate to see what to do next. In the meantime, dh and I are going crazy thinking about it. I just want to see if anybody here has had this happen with their child, and what the outcome was.

A few nights ago, my son (age 8) told me a "secret". He was having instances where his body would "jump" (as he put it). It had been happening sporadically since the end of last school year, but we never noticed it. However, the day he told me, he said it had gotten worse and he was scared. He had just finished practicing basketball, and it was very obvious. For the rest of the night, he would have these spasms every minute or so, and his entire body would tense up (for just a second). They have been happening every since. Not all the time, but enough for us to notice.

We are trying to keep a journal to see if there is a particular time of day, or an activity, or any kind of factor that is common. So far, we've only noticed that it happens more after he's been physical. And, it doesn't seem to happen when he's concentrating on something else...only when he's idle and not "using" his brain as much.

The doctor did ask if he drank any of those energy drinks, or caffeine, but ds hates soda, and hasn't ever had an energy drink (the kid probably wouldn't touch it even if we offered it to him). So, caffeine is ruled out.

We are, of course, very anxious to find out, and January 3rd seems like an awfully long time to wait. Unfortunately, it was the first available appointment. I realize that each situation can be different, and nobody here could officially diagnose him (even if you are a doctor, played one on TV, or stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. ), but we are just trying to come up with some possible causes. So, does anybody have any insight you might like to offer? TIA!

 

[themarquis]

First, I'm not an expert

But you asked for input from anybody who had ideas.

From my neurological knowledge, this does not sound like seizures. In fact, it does not sound like anything neurological.

It sounds more like a tic disorder or even something that might eventually become Tourette's (okay, I guess both of those are sorta neurological). Have these possibilities been discussed/researched?

 

[SomedayI'llBe]

I too am no expert by any means! But I think I understand what you're saying- his entire body just jumps for a second, and all of a sudden he's extremely alert (and a little unsettled!). If I'm understanding this right, I do the same thing. For myself, it typically happens right before I go to sleep, maybe once every two weeks, if that. I'm typically almost completely asleep, and then BAM! I'm wide awake.

I've never thought to have it looked at, personally. From my understanding of biology, I'm guessing it's a sudden surge of electricity running down my nerves and causing my muscles to jump and my mind to totally awaken. I could definitely see how this could get dangerous if it starts becoming more persistent though. It'll be interesting to see what is diagnosed.

 

[pfishgirl]

DH does this in the middle of the night while sleeping.. Not always, but once or twice he has kneed me in the back or kicked me.. I learned the first time when I got hit in the chest to not face him when I sleep..

DR said it was stress of the day and his body unwinding and settling down too quickly

 

[NCDisneyMom]

It sounds more like a tic disorder or even something that might eventually become Tourette's (okay, I guess both of those are sorta neurological). Have these possibilities been discussed/researched?

Nothing has been discussed with the doctor yet, as they want to do the EEG first, as the results will clue them in as to what direction to go with the possibilities (i.e. neurological, or not). At least that is my understanding.

I too am no expert by any means! But I think I understand what you're saying- his entire body just jumps for a second, and all of a sudden he's extremely alert (and a little unsettled!). If I'm understanding this right, I do the same thing. For myself, it typically happens right before I go to sleep, maybe once every two weeks, if that. I'm typically almost completely asleep, and then BAM! I'm wide awake.

You have brought up another point I forgot to mention. He is alert through the whole thing. He can be talking, it will happen mid-sentence, and other than a blip in his speech (because he's jumping), he finishes his thought immediately after. The doctor also mentioned the jumping while going to sleep. I have that happen occasionally, as well, just as you detailed. But my son's jumps will happen at all hours of the day, while he is wide awake.

Keep the ideas coming, please!!!!

 

[Diva of Dragons]

First, I'm not an expert

But you asked for input from anybody who had ideas.

From my neurological knowledge, this does not sound like seizures. In fact, it does not sound like anything neurological.

It sounds more like a tic disorder or even something that might eventually become Tourette's (okay, I guess both of those are sorta neurological). Have these possibilities been discussed/researched?

That's exactly what I was thinking! Keep us posted! Hope everything is A-OK!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

Tourette's aside, if the physical stuff were happening to me, I would start eating more bananas for the potassium. And drinking more water. And making sure there was a bit of salt in his diet, just in case his electrolytes are out of whack.

And at night I would take a Calcium/Magnesium pill (making sure the ratio is right), b/c that combo is sooooooo good at relaxing muscles. And helps many people to go to sleep and stay asleep nicely.

Good luck!

 

[shortbun]

Also, vitamin E is good for muscle issues. If he is taking a multi-vitamin, make sure it's one with vitamin E. My son has had some muscle issues and both his ped and my chiropractor said make sure he's getting adequate Vitamin E.

 

[chris1gill]

First, I'm not an expert

But you asked for input from anybody who had ideas.

From my neurological knowledge, this does not sound like seizures. In fact, it does not sound like anything neurological.

It sounds more like a tic disorder or even something that might eventually become Tourette's (okay, I guess both of those are sorta neurological). Have these possibilities been discussed/researched?

It could absolutely be neurological, or it could even be metabolic, or it could be something else.

OP, I've gone through every test imaginable, the best you can do is wait for your appointment and if that doesn't result in answers, keep looking. My daughter is currently waiting for a neuro consult, so I know what it's like to wait for that appointment, only in her case it's a 3 month wait. It's hard to see your child in pain or scared and not be able to do anything yourself, the best you can do is work hard at trying to get them appropriate care.

 

[JB111107]

My BIL has regular issues with this, and DH has very minor trouble. My BIL can be doing something like tossing a baseball and have his muscles spasm on him. There are mornings where DH has to wait a few minutes before he can even get out of bed because he can't move. They were both diagnosed as having Thomsen's Disease. Perhaps this could be his issue. Here is a little more information about it:

Also known as:
Thomsen's myotonia congenita

Description:
A benign disease, present from birth, with onset of symptoms in early life. It is characterised by myotonia, hyperexcitability, and hypertrophy of the voluntary muscles, with spasms and an inability to relax the muscles immediately after forceful contraction. In a few minutes, rigidity wears away and the movements become free from repeated contractions, the muscles becoming firm and well developed. Masticatory, laryngeal, and ocular muscles may also be affected. Emotions and cold enhance symptoms. Warmth decreases them. Prevalent in males. Incurable but may improve with age. Inheritance is autosomal dominant.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

My BIL has regular issues with this, and DH has very minor trouble. My BIL can be doing something like tossing a baseball and have his muscles spasm on him. There are mornings where DH has to wait a few minutes before he can even get out of bed because he can't move. They were both diagnosed as having Thomsen's Disease. Perhaps this could be his issue. Here is a little more information about it:

Also known as:
Thomsen's myotonia congenita

Description:
A benign disease, present from birth, with onset of symptoms in early life. It is characterised by myotonia, hyperexcitability, and hypertrophy of the voluntary muscles, with spasms and an inability to relax the muscles immediately after forceful contraction. In a few minutes, rigidity wears away and the movements become free from repeated contractions, the muscles becoming firm and well developed. Masticatory, laryngeal, and ocular muscles may also be affected. Emotions and cold enhance symptoms. Warmth decreases them. Prevalent in males. Incurable but may improve with age. Inheritance is autosomal dominant.

Wow! That definitely sounds like a possibility! It has gotten very cold here lately (which could be why it's picked up in recent days), and other parts sound right on, also. I will print this out and speak to his doctor about it. Thank you!

 

[themarquis]

I too am no expert by any means! But I think I understand what you're saying- his entire body just jumps for a second, and all of a sudden he's extremely alert (and a little unsettled!). If I'm understanding this right, I do the same thing. For myself, it typically happens right before I go to sleep, maybe once every two weeks, if that. I'm typically almost completely asleep, and then BAM! I'm wide awake.

I've never thought to have it looked at, personally. From my understanding of biology, I'm guessing it's a sudden surge of electricity running down my nerves and causing my muscles to jump and my mind to totally awaken. I could definitely see how this could get dangerous if it starts becoming more persistent though. It'll be interesting to see what is diagnosed.

This is called a myoclonic jerk or spasm, and it is a normal part of the sleep process, though some people experience them more or less than others. It is interesting that you brought them up, because the OP's son's spasms do sound an awful lot like a myoclonic jerk. Of course, they are happening while he is awake, which is not normal.

But I have heard of sleep-related disorders in which this can happen. In people who are extremely sleep deprived due to something like sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, there can be myoclonic jerks while awake (basically, the person is falling into mini sleep episodes!). There is also narcolepsy, in which sleep related behavior can pervade waking life; sometimes narcoleptics have abnormal muscular activity (like transient loss of muscular control and drop episodes).

Just throwing other ideas out there. Obviously, the EEG and consult with a specialist will probably provide more info, so hopefully you will not need all our random ideas!