Movement - unpredictable or jerky: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if jerking:

   • Lasts five minutes or longer, or repeats without recovery
   • Happens with loss of awareness, breathing difficulty, or a serious injury
   • Starts with facial drooping, one-sided weakness, speech trouble, or sudden severe imbalance
   • Occurs for the first time as an apparent seizure
   • Happens during pregnancy or soon after giving birth with loss of awareness
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek same-day medical advice for new movements accompanied by fever, confusion, a severe headache, a stiff neck, repeated vomiting, or marked drowsiness.

   You should also get prompt advice if movements begin after a medicine change, possible poisoning, recreational drug use, or sudden alcohol or sedative withdrawal.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine appointment if movements keep returning, are getting worse, disturb sleep, or affect walking, eating, writing, work, or school.

   Movements in a child should be assessed if they cause pain, injury, distress, or problems with daily activities.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Movement - unpredictable or jerky. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.