Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

For everything and anything else not covered in the other RLS sections.
Post Reply
yawny
Posts: 264
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:20 pm

Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by yawny »

I’m wondering if people here could please help me by describing the characteristics of PLMD/PLMs beyond “involuntary movements during sleep”? For instance, I’ve heard it can occur in the torso area and wonder what that means. I don’t understand everywhere that it can occur in the body, and what is considered a part of PLMD/PLMs. Thanks in advance...

Rustsmith
Moderator
Posts: 6476
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by Rustsmith »

The classical definition is that it is a periodic movement of the leg or ankle, can be sort of like tapping your foot, that occurs for a short period and then there is a quiet time before it happens again. This is the reason for attaching sensors to the calf muscles during sleep studies. It also has to occur during sleep, otherwise the movements would be due to something else.

I have not heard about PLMS of the torso. The requirement for periodic movement could be an issue. I can just imagine someone doing sit-ups while asleep :lol:. But with that said, my RLS spread to my arms and torso prior to any treatment, so maybe???
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

yawny
Posts: 264
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2015 4:20 pm

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by yawny »

LOL, you made me laugh Steve. I despise doing sit-ups so maybe I was secretly hoping this dreaded disease would be doing me a favor? So to confirm (because I obviously get confused)…PLMD/PLMs occur only in the legs, and has to be a repetitive movement?

Does the movement always look the same as in a forward tapping of the foot, or can the foot move sideways?

Rustsmith
Moderator
Posts: 6476
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by Rustsmith »

I cannot be sure about always in the legs, but it must be repetitive. It does not need to be tapping, side to side or even flexing at the knee counts.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

sleepdancer2
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:46 am

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by sleepdancer2 »

For movements to be classified as a disorder (the D in PLMD) they have to meet a threshold of activity. Short of meeting that level, one can still have periodic limb movements. Doctors differ a bit on calling all limb movements that reach the threshold PLMD. Some do not classify them as PLMD if they are secondary to another sleep disorder. Mine have always called mine PLMD even though I have RLS and Sleep Apnea.

There are two primary characteristics of periodic limb movements - timing and appearance. Movements will be repetitive and rhythmic in nature. If one stays asleep without arousing, the timing will be surprisingly predictable. If one does become semi-awake, it may take a bit to get back to sleep and for the movements to get in sync again. The second characteristic is that the movements, once asleep, will be stereotypical in nature. They will look very similar. That look may be as small as a repeated flexion of the big toe, to a flexing of the foot, or even a bicycling motion of the leg. One's position can make a difference how the movements manifest. In general, the movements are initiated as a cramp-like tightening for a few seconds followed by release. While it is not as common, other parts of the body can be involved. At my worst when I was experiencing augmentation, at times my whole body would be active. Limb movements can happen while awake, though it is not common. It seems that is reported more when one is experiencing either a med side effect or augmentation on a dopamine agonist. If you could set up a camera to video yourself during sleep, you could get a good idea if PLMD is what you are dealing with.

Contrast these movements with movements during sleep from other causes. Those will be random in timing and appearance.
My Augmentation Sleep Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE7WA_5c73c

ViewsAskew
Moderator
Posts: 16571
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by ViewsAskew »

In the past, I read the same as sleepdancer noted - it must be a joint - toe, ankle, knee, hip are most common, but can be wrist, elbow or shoulder.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

debbluebird
Posts: 2386
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 3:27 pm

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by debbluebird »

Well, with those definitions, I don't have PLMD. I have spasms.

sleepdancer2
Posts: 222
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 7:46 am

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by sleepdancer2 »

Deb, all the standard descriptions of the movements go out the window when medication side effect or augmentation come into play. If you've seen my sleep video, my movements during augmentation look nothing like expected. I was accused of faking it because my movements did not fit "normal" descriptions. What does remain is the movements will still retain a pattern of some sort. An exception to that is if one never goes to sleep enough to establish a pattern.
My Augmentation Sleep Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE7WA_5c73c

srgraves01
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 4:34 am

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by srgraves01 »

My wife has told me that for years I would sometimes kick her so she had to put pillows between herself and I (I am grateful for such a patient woman). I also sometimes kick the wall. After augmentation I have had more movements in my hips and back. I remember a post by another member who described it as jack-knifing. That description fits me as well. Since augmentation I also have movements prior to sleep in several places as well and the number of places has increased over time.

debbluebird
Posts: 2386
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 3:27 pm

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by debbluebird »

sleepdancer2 wrote:Deb, all the standard descriptions of the movements go out the window when medication side effect or augmentation come into play. If you've seen my sleep video, my movements during augmentation look nothing like expected. I was accused of faking it because my movements did not fit "normal" descriptions. What does remain is the movements will still retain a pattern of some sort. An exception to that is if one never goes to sleep enough to establish a pattern.


Turned out, mine are spasms caused by pinched nerves and spinal fluid cut off in my lower back. I had a fusion in Oct., they are getting better. Very seldom severe, mostly mild now with a few nights of no spasms at all.

ViewsAskew
Moderator
Posts: 16571
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: Characteristics of PLMD/PLMs

Post by ViewsAskew »

debbluebird wrote:
sleepdancer2 wrote:Deb, all the standard descriptions of the movements go out the window when medication side effect or augmentation come into play. If you've seen my sleep video, my movements during augmentation look nothing like expected. I was accused of faking it because my movements did not fit "normal" descriptions. What does remain is the movements will still retain a pattern of some sort. An exception to that is if one never goes to sleep enough to establish a pattern.


Turned out, mine are spasms caused by pinched nerves and spinal fluid cut off in my lower back. I had a fusion in Oct., they are getting better. Very seldom severe, mostly mild now with a few nights of no spasms at all.


My brother, too. For years he thought his "RLS" was just a bit different from the rest of us.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

Post Reply