Anyone experience "jerking" of the body?

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Katmy
Katmy Member Posts: 93
in Breast Cancer #1
2 1/2 weeks out of my first treatment, I started having jerking of a leg, arm, finger when I went to bed. Did anyone else experience this sensation? Is it muscle spasms? I thought it was Paxil and quit taking it, but the jerking continues. Thanks for any advice.

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  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #2
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    Hey
    Katmy, just to be on the safe side, you should call your oncologist and let her know about the "jerks" in your limbs. This may be the result of the chemo, but it never hurts to pass along information to our doctor so that they can be noted and possibly solutions given. Let us know what they say. Hugs, Judy
  • Katmy
    Katmy Member Posts: 93
    #3
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Hey
    Katmy, just to be on the safe side, you should call your oncologist and let her know about the "jerks" in your limbs. This may be the result of the chemo, but it never hurts to pass along information to our doctor so that they can be noted and possibly solutions given. Let us know what they say. Hugs, Judy

    I had told her I thought it
    I had told her I thought it was the Paxil, an anti-depressant she wanted me to try. She said go off the Paxil if the jerking gets worse. I did discontinue, but the jerking hasn't stopped yet. I will tell her tomorrow before my next infusion and see what she thinks. Yeah, I worry that it is a chemo SE and maybe I will not be able to continue or something.

    Thanks for your reply.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
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    I have not...
    BUT I am not sure which treatment you are talking about...I assume Chemo -I did not have chemo-Just radiation...

    But I just wanted to check in...to see how you are doing..

    Denise
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #5
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    not med related
    but MY husband has jerks often...just as he doses off...I am sure you are not talking about that..but just a thought...
  • nadinep
    nadinep Member Posts: 2
    #6
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    Jerking
    Yes I have jerking. I was diagnosed with bc Feb 2010, took chemo and radiation and finished radiation last september. I now have random jerking. Sometimes it is several times a day.......sometimes none for a few days. Its weird but all lab work and mammograms are clear
  • ElizabethB
    ElizabethB Member Posts: 89
    #7
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    nadinep said:

    Jerking
    Yes I have jerking. I was diagnosed with bc Feb 2010, took chemo and radiation and finished radiation last september. I now have random jerking. Sometimes it is several times a day.......sometimes none for a few days. Its weird but all lab work and mammograms are clear

    most my life
    I have had my leg arm once in awhile my whole body will jerk. It was like when I was so totally relaxed...But I would check it out watch to see if it is when you kinda really relax your whole body otherwise I would talk to my oncologist
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
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    jerking / twitches
    My daughter had about 7 yrs ago...tested etc..and diagnosed Epileptic (SP?) and on meds for over 5 yrs...

    the reason I am telling you...she in fact is not or never was epileptic..she was mis-diagnosed...it was nerves....

    very stressful time in our family...she said then they were uncontrollable..etc..was in the hospital in NYC 2 x for 6 days each...

    ONLY reason we found out she was misdiagnose is to get her license with no regulations (medical) she had to go off med and never an issue..

    so just food for thought...it could be possible stress!! I have never heard of anytone other then my daughter ...just wanted to add my 2 cents
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    jerking / twitches
    My daughter had about 7 yrs ago...tested etc..and diagnosed Epileptic (SP?) and on meds for over 5 yrs...

    the reason I am telling you...she in fact is not or never was epileptic..she was mis-diagnosed...it was nerves....

    very stressful time in our family...she said then they were uncontrollable..etc..was in the hospital in NYC 2 x for 6 days each...

    ONLY reason we found out she was misdiagnose is to get her license with no regulations (medical) she had to go off med and never an issue..

    so just food for thought...it could be possible stress!! I have never heard of anytone other then my daughter ...just wanted to add my 2 cents

    bumping up
    ...
  • Katmy
    Katmy Member Posts: 93
    #10
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    jerking / twitches
    My daughter had about 7 yrs ago...tested etc..and diagnosed Epileptic (SP?) and on meds for over 5 yrs...

    the reason I am telling you...she in fact is not or never was epileptic..she was mis-diagnosed...it was nerves....

    very stressful time in our family...she said then they were uncontrollable..etc..was in the hospital in NYC 2 x for 6 days each...

    ONLY reason we found out she was misdiagnose is to get her license with no regulations (medical) she had to go off med and never an issue..

    so just food for thought...it could be possible stress!! I have never heard of anytone other then my daughter ...just wanted to add my 2 cents

    Yes, Disneyfan, I wonder if
    Yes, Disneyfan, I wonder if stress plays a factor. Paxil brought it on, but I am still having lingering "twitches." It is like stated above by someone else, when I am totally relaxed. Maybe the combo of Paxil and stress of chemo was enough to bring this on.

    I am so glad to hear your daughter can see herself as more healthy. That is great. I know my 9 year old daughter has scary thoughts about getting breast cancer young. I hope your daughter has a burden lifted from her shoulders.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #11
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    Hope this helps
    A few other thoughts.... There are few nausea meds that I can take without experiencing involuntary weird movements: compazine caused severe head twitching resulting in a trip to the ER where I was given a shot of cogentin and that stopped the twitching immediately; inapsine caused back arching relieved slowly by benadryl. Many (especially younger patients but lol I am not young) have this type of dystonic reaction with nausea meds. So far, the only one left I can take is zofran.

    "Neuroleptics (antipsychotics), antiemetics (for nausea), and antidepressants are the most common causes of drug-induced dystonic reactions.

    Acute dystonic reactions have been described with every antipsychotic.

    Alcohol and cocaine use increase risk.4,5"


    Medication Induced Dystonic Reactions
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #12
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    CypressCynthia said:

    Hope this helps
    A few other thoughts.... There are few nausea meds that I can take without experiencing involuntary weird movements: compazine caused severe head twitching resulting in a trip to the ER where I was given a shot of cogentin and that stopped the twitching immediately; inapsine caused back arching relieved slowly by benadryl. Many (especially younger patients but lol I am not young) have this type of dystonic reaction with nausea meds. So far, the only one left I can take is zofran.

    "Neuroleptics (antipsychotics), antiemetics (for nausea), and antidepressants are the most common causes of drug-induced dystonic reactions.

    Acute dystonic reactions have been described with every antipsychotic.

    Alcohol and cocaine use increase risk.4,5"


    Medication Induced Dystonic Reactions

    P.S.
    Also, FYI:
    "Dystonia is a movement disorder which causes involuntary contractions of your muscles. These contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements. Sometimes they are painful."
    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dystonia.html


    Here is a more complete list of meds that can cause this problem:

    "GENERIC NAME TRADE NAME CLASSIFICATION
    alprazolam Xanax Antianxiety agent
    amitriptyline Elavil, Endep antidepressant
    amoxapine Asendin antidepressant
    benzquinamide Emete-Con anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    bupropion Wellbutrin antidepressant
    buspirone Buspar antianxiety
    carbamazepine Tegretol anticonvulsant
    chlorprothizene Taractan neuroleptic
    chlorpromazine Thorazine neuroleptic
    clomipramine Anafranil antidepressant
    clozapine Clozaril neuroleptic
    desipramine Norpramin antidepressant
    diphenhydramine Benadryl antihistamine (Increases the
    effect of other pain medications)
    doxepin Adapin, Sinequan antidepressant
    droperido Innovar antianxiety; anesthetic adjunct
    fluoxetine Prozac antidepressant
    fluphenazine Prolixin neuroleptic
    haloperidol Haldol neuroleptic
    imipramine Tofranil antidepressant
    levodopa Larodopa, Sinemet antiparkinson agent
    lithium Eskalith, Lithobid antimanic agent
    loxapine Loxitane neuroleptic
    mesoridazine Serentil neuroleptic
    metoclopramide Reglan gastrointestinal motility stimulant;
    anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    midazolam Versed induction anesthetic agent
    molindone Moban neuroleptic
    nortripyline Aventyl, Pamelor antidepressant
    perhenazine Trilafon neuroleptic
    phenytoin Dilantin anticonvulsant
    pimozide Orap neuroleptic
    prochlorperazine Compazine anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    promazine Sparine neuroleptic
    promethazine Phenergan antihistamine
    protriptyline Vivactil antidepressant
    thiethylperazine Torecan anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    thiothixene Navane neuroleptic
    trifluoperazine Stelazine neuroleptic
    triflupromazine Vesprin neuroleptic
    thioridazine Mellaril neuroleptic
    trazadone Desyrel antidepressant
    trifluoperazine Stelazine neuroleptic
    trimipramine Surmontil antidepressant
    verapamil Calan, Isoptin antianginal, antihypertensive"

    From:
    Information on drugs that can and do cause dystonia
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #13
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    CypressCynthia said:

    P.S.
    Also, FYI:
    "Dystonia is a movement disorder which causes involuntary contractions of your muscles. These contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements. Sometimes they are painful."
    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dystonia.html


    Here is a more complete list of meds that can cause this problem:

    "GENERIC NAME TRADE NAME CLASSIFICATION
    alprazolam Xanax Antianxiety agent
    amitriptyline Elavil, Endep antidepressant
    amoxapine Asendin antidepressant
    benzquinamide Emete-Con anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    bupropion Wellbutrin antidepressant
    buspirone Buspar antianxiety
    carbamazepine Tegretol anticonvulsant
    chlorprothizene Taractan neuroleptic
    chlorpromazine Thorazine neuroleptic
    clomipramine Anafranil antidepressant
    clozapine Clozaril neuroleptic
    desipramine Norpramin antidepressant
    diphenhydramine Benadryl antihistamine (Increases the
    effect of other pain medications)
    doxepin Adapin, Sinequan antidepressant
    droperido Innovar antianxiety; anesthetic adjunct
    fluoxetine Prozac antidepressant
    fluphenazine Prolixin neuroleptic
    haloperidol Haldol neuroleptic
    imipramine Tofranil antidepressant
    levodopa Larodopa, Sinemet antiparkinson agent
    lithium Eskalith, Lithobid antimanic agent
    loxapine Loxitane neuroleptic
    mesoridazine Serentil neuroleptic
    metoclopramide Reglan gastrointestinal motility stimulant;
    anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    midazolam Versed induction anesthetic agent
    molindone Moban neuroleptic
    nortripyline Aventyl, Pamelor antidepressant
    perhenazine Trilafon neuroleptic
    phenytoin Dilantin anticonvulsant
    pimozide Orap neuroleptic
    prochlorperazine Compazine anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    promazine Sparine neuroleptic
    promethazine Phenergan antihistamine
    protriptyline Vivactil antidepressant
    thiethylperazine Torecan anti-nausea/vomiting agent
    thiothixene Navane neuroleptic
    trifluoperazine Stelazine neuroleptic
    triflupromazine Vesprin neuroleptic
    thioridazine Mellaril neuroleptic
    trazadone Desyrel antidepressant
    trifluoperazine Stelazine neuroleptic
    trimipramine Surmontil antidepressant
    verapamil Calan, Isoptin antianginal, antihypertensive"

    From:
    Information on drugs that can and do cause dystonia

    The drug I was prescribed for nausea during chemo was Reglan, taken four times a day for approximately 3 months. I was diagnosed with Tardive Dyskinesia, a direct result of taking this drug. There is involuntary tongue moveent,. as well as muscle movement in the extremeties. I was told that although I stopped the drug almost two years ago, this could be a permanent condition that will never reverse itself. Just research any drugs you are given before taking anything. Reglan has been "black labled" by the FDA, and the warnings are now discussed by pharmacists in their handouts when you pick up this drug. Elderly femals are most susceptable to contracting this disease....just read before you swallow. Hugs, Judy
  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #14
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    Jerking
    Yes, exactly the same as you. A little into chemo started jerking or flinching a lot whilst in bed. Sometimes waking me up. Funny at first then a bit irritating, however, it did stop near the end of chemo if I recall. I do take Cymbalta, wondered at the time if it was a bad mix but all was fine later. Heavens, am I having problems with Cymbalta and Tamoxifen though. Doctor says the two are safe taking at the same time pre meno so must take Tamoxifen BC was hormonal.

    I hope your 'jerking' passes soon. It affected my hands and arms.

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