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Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

© James Foster Robinson

When I was diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea, I was also found to have a mild form of Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). My leg or hand would periodically twitch all by itself especially during sleep. This was just another disorder that added to my sleeping problems. What is PLMD? What causes it? How is it treated? Can Periodic Limb Movement Disorder be cured?

What is PLMD?

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) is a medical condition where a person's limbs move involuntarily during sleep in repetitive and highly stereotyped ways. PLMD was first described in 1953 and was originally called nocturnal myoclonus. Today, however, the term "nocturnal myoclonus" or NM is thought to be inadequate, as the movements exhibited in PLMD are much slower than in NM.

PLMD and RLS

PLMD is often associated with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) but is different. PLMD can involve both the arms and legs while RLS involves only the legs and can occur when awake. Sufferers of RSL can experience symptoms so severe that they wake up all the time or are unable to get to sleep. Periodic limb movement can wake a person from sleep or go completely unnoticed. Patients with RSL often have PLMD but those with PLMD do not necessarily have RSL also.

Symptoms

PLMD movements are often unnoticed as they occur while the person is sleeping. The movements, which commonly occur in the legs and often the arms, are fairly regular at 30-second intervals. And they most often happen during the first half of the night when you are in the sleep stage known as non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement). These periodic movements only partially arouse the sleeper but the effects of these partial awakenings contribute to poor sleep and health.

Your bed partner can help identify if you have the symptoms of PLMS. Has she or he noticed that your legs or arms move a lot when you are asleep? Has she or he ever complained that you often kick them in your sleep? The kicking movement starts in your leg with an extension of the big toe. At the same time, your ankle, knee and sometimes your hip move. This can be very uncomfortable for your spouse.

There are secondary symptoms that you can observe that will help you determine if you suffer from PLMD especially if you sleep alone. Do you experience insomnia? Are you very sleepy during the day even though it appears that you got a good night's sleep? If you do, then you may have PLMD. But remember that these symptoms may also indicate any number of sleep disorders. Make sure you see a qualified medical practitioner to be checked out.

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