Is this a Parkinson’s thing?
What is it?
Ending up on the floor, from being asleep in bed! Or sometimes hitting my bedside table with my hand, when asleep.
When did it start?
The first time I actually ‘jumped’ out of bed was in about Winter 2015-16 – so about three and a half years before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It was quite spectacular and I’ll probably write a blog about it one day (And I did: ‘Waiting for the punchline‘). I also thrashed out a bit several times at around the same period.
How long does it go on for?
It happened again in July 2021. It’s sudden and then over. I hit out at my bedside table more often than I did.
How does it feel?
Bewildering. Disturbing. Funny. Painful (if I hit something).
How does it affect me?
The first time it felt like a strange, one-off incident. I don’t think it affected me much but I’m aware that I could get injured, or even physically hurt Kerry!
Is it painful?
Yes – if, for example, I hit my bedside table with the back of my hand! And the second time I ‘jumped’, having moved rooms last year, I landed on floorboards, having skilfully used my right ear to manoeuvre the bedside table out of the way!
What’s its proper name?
Well – now I’ve investigated a little, I know that there seem to be several names:
- Parasomnia – a sleep disorder that causes abnormal behavior while sleeping. (Healthline.com)
- Sleep-related falling out of bed (SFOB) (Europe PMC)
- REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) (Mayo Clinic)
What did you think about it?
The first time it was strange, funny, and I had no idea at the time that it had anything to do with Parkinson’s. Second time it hurt a bit more and I happened to be on my own. So it’s left me a bit more concerned about it happening.
What did you do about it?
I haven’t felt the need to do anything about it. But I was aware that when I moved my bedroom, alongside building a new wardrobe, I would have a lot more space at the side of my bed. It sounds stupid but it hadn’t occurred to me that landing on bare boards would be harder! I’m now thinking about whether I need to take measures to protect myself. I have read that medication can help.
Is there anything useful to read about it?
Sleep and night-time problems in Parkinson’s (Parkinson’s UK)
Is it a Parkinson’s thing?
Yes!
I am not medically qualified. None of my personal experience should be taken as advice. See ‘Disclaimer’ in About ParkyBoy.
ParkyBoy 