A restless abdomen and propriospinal myoclonus like at sleep onset: an unusual overlap syndrome

BMJ Case Rep. 2015 Mar 27:2015:bcr2014206679. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2014-206679.

Abstract

We report for the first time the association between restless abdomen, a phenotypic variant of restless legs syndrome in which symptoms are limited to the abdomen, and propriospinal myoclonus at sleep onset causing severe insomnia. The treatment with a low-dosage of dopaminergic drug (pramipexole) induced the immediate disappearance of both symptoms, which was documented by video-polysomnography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / physiopathology*
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Benzothiazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Dopamine Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myoclonus / complications
  • Myoclonus / diagnosis
  • Myoclonus / drug therapy*
  • Polysomnography
  • Pramipexole
  • Psychomotor Agitation / complications
  • Psychomotor Agitation / drug therapy*
  • Psychomotor Agitation / etiology
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Videotape Recording

Substances

  • Benzothiazoles
  • Dopamine Agents
  • Pramipexole