I jerk and twitch like a seizure but I'm conscious...?!
Question: Sometimes out of the blue my body jerks and twitches like a seizure but I am conscious. I can't control it. What could be wrong with me? I've done this for years when I'm upset, cold, scared, or sometimes for no reason at all. It scares me because my legs will shoot out, I hit my arms or legs on things, and it hurts my neck. They only last a second or two, but it scares me to death. My husband and friends have learned to deal with it and sometimes just laugh it off. I'm scared because it seems to be becoming more frequent. I haven't talked to a doctor because I'm scared of what they will say. What could be causing this and does anyone else suffer from these episodes? Could it be stress related?
Answers: Sometimes out of the blue my body jerks and twitches like a seizure but I am conscious. I can't control it. What could be wrong with me? I've done this for years when I'm upset, cold, scared, or sometimes for no reason at all. It scares me because my legs will shoot out, I hit my arms or legs on things, and it hurts my neck. They only last a second or two, but it scares me to death. My husband and friends have learned to deal with it and sometimes just laugh it off. I'm scared because it seems to be becoming more frequent. I haven't talked to a doctor because I'm scared of what they will say. What could be causing this and does anyone else suffer from these episodes? Could it be stress related?
This sounds like Tourette's Syndrome. Most people with the condition experience their worst symptoms in their early teens, with improvement occurring in the late teens and continuing into adulthood.
Here are some facts regarding this syndrome.
Simple motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups. Some of the more common simple tics include eye blinking and other vision irregularities, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking. Simple vocalizations might include repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing/snorting, grunting or barking sounds.
Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups. Complex motor tics might include facial grimacing combined with a head twist and a shoulder shrug. Other complex motor tics may actually appear purposeful, including sniffing or touching objects, hopping, jumping, bending, or twisting. More complex vocal tics include words or phrases. Perhaps the most dramatic and disabling tics include motor movements that result in self-harm such as punching oneself in the face or vocal tics including coprolalia (uttering swear words) or echolalia (repeating the words or phrases of others). Some tics are preceded by an urge or sensation in the affected muscle group, commonly called a premonitory urge. Some with TS will describe a need to complete a tic in a certain way or a certain number of times in order to relieve the urge or decrease the sensation.
Tics are often worse with excitement or anxiety and better during calm, focused activities. Certain physical experiences can trigger or worsen tics, for example tight collars may trigger neck tics, or hearing another person sniff or throat-clear may trigger similar sounds. Tics do not go away during sleep but are often significantly diminished.
Evidence from studies has shown that this is an inherited disorder. It can also be treated with several neurological drugs, however, it must be diagnosed by a competent and qualified physician first. Don't delay seeing your doctor for these symptoms. The sooner the better.
Hope this helps. Take care my friend.
Hi,
I do not suffer these episodes but I really think you should consult a doctor because even if people on Y!Answers have had similar symptoms it may be a completely different problem. Even if you are scared that you may get a bad diagnosis, Isn't it better than have these fits that could possibly harm you physically? As I always say, better to be safe than sorry!
Good luck,
Hope this has helped.
For you own peace of mind, I really recommend seeing a doctor. It really may be something very minor and even if it turned out it was a seizure disorder, it can be controlled with drugs very, very easily.
first of go and see a Doctor.
second it sounds almost like your are having a seizure.
when ever you have a seizure you do not go unconscious all the time.some times you may just stare in to space .
i know because i have epilepsy and the same thing happens to me
seek out a doc don't ignore this there are types of seizures where you are awake there are many different type you should tell the doctor your fears and have some tests done don't put this off for the sake of your health and making yourself worry best to find out what is going on there are other things like Parkinson's that could cause shakes and there are neurological disorders too that could be coming out you just need to go and find out i pray you get better soon and this is not serious good luck i know you are afraid but if you go they can help you and you wont have to live with the fear of not knowing
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dysto...