Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?
Thu, 11/01/2007 - 13:10Comments
Re: Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?
Submitted by tbirchall on Mon, 2011-10-03 - 06:35
Hi
I am 75 was diagnosed when I was 18 started off badly 2/3 seizures a week always preceded by myoclonic jerks (my "warning") slowly with lamactol and sodium valporate I improved and now at this ripe old age I haven't had a sezure for 15 years but I still get jerks. I take lamactol and sodium valporate but the great thing is I've found "clobazam" or sometimes called "Frisium" 2 of them sit quiet for an hour and I'm ready to go again!
Hi
I am 75 was diagnosed when I was 18 started off badly 2/3 seizures a week always preceded by myoclonic jerks (my "warning") slowly with lamactol and sodium valporate I improved and now at this ripe old age I haven't had a sezure for 15 years but I still get jerks. I take lamactol and sodium valporate but the great thing is I've found "clobazam" or sometimes called "Frisium" 2 of them sit quiet for an hour and I'm ready to go again!
Re: Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?
Submitted by volvo122 on Thu, 2013-10-24 - 01:06
Hi Elly,
It's so good to see another female my own age who also has seizures. Sorry that you have them though, they suck. I've been having seizures since I was 5 and they've changed so much from petite mal to complex partial and they finally diagnosed me at 14 with Generalized Myclonic Tonic Epilepsy...but I think it's definitely changed since then. But, before these past 6 months I never had a seizure at night, but they've been happening more frequently lately.
I'm in the same boat, I'll get the myclonic jerks which I consider my "warning signs" because they generally happen right before a grand mal, so I usually try to lay down and take an Ativan which typically helps. You may want to ask your doctor about that. I used to only have my seizures in the morning in 1) I woke up too early after going to bed late, usually getting less than 6 hours of sleep would set them off nicely, 2) I was stressed/nervous/excited about something, or 3) someone would interupt my sleep and I would wake up abruptly;usually if I was taking a nap.
I wouldn't be terrified about going to see your doctor,he's only trying to help...unless yours doesn't. But he might suggest upping your meds, in that case I would suggest you bring up trying either the Ketogenic diet or the MAD (Modified Atkins Diet) if you're not keen on getting put on more/higher doses of drugs. I hope you're able to get your drivers license back soon. Eventually I know I'll get mine... hopefully before I'm 25. Good luck on getting all of this figured out!
Kirsten
Hi Elly,
It's so good to see another female my own age who also has seizures. Sorry that you have them though, they suck. I've been having seizures since I was 5 and they've changed so much from petite mal to complex partial and they finally diagnosed me at 14 with Generalized Myclonic Tonic Epilepsy...but I think it's definitely changed since then. But, before these past 6 months I never had a seizure at night, but they've been happening more frequently lately.
I'm in the same boat, I'll get the myclonic jerks which I consider my "warning signs" because they generally happen right before a grand mal, so I usually try to lay down and take an Ativan which typically helps. You may want to ask your doctor about that. I used to only have my seizures in the morning in 1) I woke up too early after going to bed late, usually getting less than 6 hours of sleep would set them off nicely, 2) I was stressed/nervous/excited about something, or 3) someone would interupt my sleep and I would wake up abruptly;usually if I was taking a nap.
I wouldn't be terrified about going to see your doctor,he's only trying to help...unless yours doesn't. But he might suggest upping your meds, in that case I would suggest you bring up trying either the Ketogenic diet or the MAD (Modified Atkins Diet) if you're not keen on getting put on more/higher doses of drugs. I hope you're able to get your drivers license back soon. Eventually I know I'll get mine... hopefully before I'm 25. Good luck on getting all of this figured out!
Kirsten
Re: Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?
Submitted by lizzieambrose on Tue, 2011-09-27 - 17:01
My myclonic jerks definitely occur the most in the evening. I kick my boyfriend in my sleep all the time. And on another note, if I start having a lot back-to-back in the morning, sometimes that's an indicator I'm going to have a grand mal seizures. They happen more frequently around the time I'm going to get period or if I've had any sleep deprivation.