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Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?

Thu, 11/01/2007 - 13:10
Hi, I have never posted on here before but I am a bit freaked out and everyone seems to know so much I was hoping someone could help me! I was diagnosed with Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy almost 3 years ago (I am 23 now). I had been having seizures (or twitches as I thought they were) for about 4 years and didn't know what they were. After having a serious scalding accident, JME was diagnosed. I understood that it only occured in the morning as it was associated with sleep patterns/deprivation. This seemed to fit my symptoms pretty well. Unfortunately my neurologist wasn't particularly thorough when diagnosing me and I went away with many unanswered questions. However I was well established on my meds (Lamictal) and I had my drivers licence back so I just put it all to the back of my mind and got on with things. Now I am beginning to have serious doubts about my initial diagnosis and the subsequent follow up checks I had. Before I was established on my medication I would only have seizures/jerks early in the morning or if I had a nap in the middle of the day. However now I have started to have them in the late evening (between 7-9pm). This is worrying a) because I understood that they ONLY took place in the morning and b) because they were happening depsite being on my meds. Obviously I am extremely freaked out and a bit terrified of going to see my doctor because of what this might mean. I just wanted to know if anyone else had ever experienced myoclonic seizures at other times of the day and NOT related to sleep and if so whether their epilepsy was diagnosed as JME or something else. Also, what do you think will be my doctors response if I go to him and say that I have been having seizures again (albeit very small ones). Also (sorry I know this is a long message), I have always experienced absences associated with myoclonic jerks. In fact I quite often have absences with no jerk afterwards (although I never really know as i'm not always aware of them). Are absences classed as epilepsy and if I am having absences but no jerks will that still be enough for my drivers lilcence to be taken away from me? I would really appreciate any answers or help anyone could give me - I know I sound like a bit of a whinger! Thanks!

Comments

Re: Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?

Submitted by Sarah Howden on Sun, 2009-11-01 - 16:49

Hi

What meds did she increase to make them go away? I'm only on 300 of lamictal but that is not helping them. Most people experience the odd jerk as they are drifting off to sleep, but that is very different to having them through out the day.

Hi

What meds did she increase to make them go away? I'm only on 300 of lamictal but that is not helping them. Most people experience the odd jerk as they are drifting off to sleep, but that is very different to having them through out the day.

Re: Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?

Submitted by dainty on Sun, 2009-11-01 - 17:50

I was told lamictal can aggravate myoclonics.  Its not the right drug for myoclonics only.  I learned as my daughter with only myoclonics went on lamictal and had her first and only grand mal.  Deprokote or keppra good for myoclonics only.

good luck

joan*

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/JuvenileMyoclonicEpilepsy/

Son lamictal 175 2x 20 Grand Mals-Stable Daughter keppra 500 16 - on MAD **stable* Both had first issues at 15 - Both JME - gotta love puberty : ) * Both dealing with the nuances that come with it*

I was told lamictal can aggravate myoclonics.  Its not the right drug for myoclonics only.  I learned as my daughter with only myoclonics went on lamictal and had her first and only grand mal.  Deprokote or keppra good for myoclonics only.

good luck

joan*

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/JuvenileMyoclonicEpilepsy/

Son lamictal 175 2x 20 Grand Mals-Stable Daughter keppra 500 16 - on MAD **stable* Both had first issues at 15 - Both JME - gotta love puberty : ) * Both dealing with the nuances that come with it*

Re: Myoclonic jerks occuring in the evening?

Submitted by teener on Sun, 2009-11-01 - 18:01

I was given a 100mg increase in tegretol. worked that night, havn't come back at all. You can say it 'worked like a charm', lol

All the best, Christine

I was given a 100mg increase in tegretol. worked that night, havn't come back at all. You can say it 'worked like a charm', lol

All the best, Christine

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