Body popping when trying to nod off

[bunnaaay5]

Why is it when you are about to fall asleep your body pops (sudden movement) which sometimes wakes you up? Is there any way to prevent this because I look stupid on the train!!!

[gucciman]

i do exactly the same thing, last week was even worse cos i was on the train and i woke suddenly, my arm flew in the air and i gave out a loud gasp, was well embass

[cliffsdoll]

try staying awake on the train.

[SC00BY]

These 'jumps are called Myoclonic jerks. Try googling that.

[joko]

try tonic water. contains quinine which is supposed to help

[andrea_h]

as long as you're not driving the train you're ok!! ;p

[bunnaaay5]

Hee Hee, Top Answers! Thanks!

One I was dreaming on the train that I was playing badminton. I slamed the shuttlecock down - and you guessed it, my right arm moved. The woman next to me asked if I was ok!!!

[Goodsoulette]

joko - I believe quinine tablets help night cramps but not for all people, which is a different thing. Also there is so little quinine compared to the tablets that drinking INDIAN tonic water would not help even if it was cramps thatshe was talking about.

[joko]

well, you know what they say...one day the rhythm is gonna getcha - so keep on body popping!!

[scrumpy78]

seem to remember hearing somewhere that these movements were due to a vitamin deficiency? calcium or magnesium or something? see if if comes up under the myoclonic jerks..........

[scrumpy78]

just looked up, its magnesium and calcium. night cramps coul dbe caused by a deficiency but i think the movements when you're falling asleep are just your body's ways of relaxing muscles. What really bugs me is when you sleep on your hand or arm and wake up numb and have to shake it to get the blood back into it. that really freaks me out!

[morg_monster]

ooh i get these all the time. I read somewhere that it is when your body goes into a state of very deep relaxation, and your breathing slows dangerously. Your body shakes itself awake suddenly to start you breathing properly again. I don't know if this is true.
As for the numb arm/leg syndrome, i get that too - i hate it, especially when my arm is kind of twisted above my head and I have to try and move it.. I always think that since I can't feel anything, I'm going to end up dislocating my shoulder or something without realising.
The funniest thing is when you move and hit yourself (or your other half) around the head with your dead arm. Oh, happy days.

[scrumpy78]

funny? freaky, i panic and think the blood is never going to come back and i'll have an arm just hanging there. i wish it didnt happen EVERY night though.......