Are Myoclonic Jerks & Epilepsy same ?

[jmac]

I have suffered with myoclonic jerks for 5yrs and they have got worse over past 3 months, having them everyday, legs, torso, neck. My problem is are myoclonic jerks and epilepsy connected as I keep getting told different things each time I go to hospital or visit GP, I am taking 2500mg keppra, 1000mg clonazepam and 600mg gabapentin daily but they don't seem to be helping, went back to work today after being of 3 month but have been sent home again and have to find out if I am fit to drive as I also have sleep apnoea and wear CPAP machine at night. I am really feeling low now and am starting to think about asking if work will give me early retirement as I am 60, I would not be able to manage money wise (as only been in pension scheme 10yrs) but all I am thinking about is getting back to work and is it worth the worry, I am now thinking so what I will manage some how. The wife is great she give me a big hug when I came back from work and said we have had many bad times before we will manage again, love her to bits. What a great place this is as earlier today I was in tears but just being able to write something and share it definitely makes me feel better.

 

[Nakamova]

"Mycoclonus" by itself just refers to an arbitrary muscle jerk or twitch. It can be benign (like the hiccups, or jerks some people experience right as they fall asleep), or it can be a symptom of a variety of neurological diseases, including epilepsy.

If other causes have been ruled out, and your myoclonic jerks are associated with abnormal brainwaves, then they are most likely epileptic in origin. You are taking quite a cocktail of anti-seizure drugs, so if they aren't helping you should definitely check in with your neurologist to discuss reducing or changing your medications. I hope you can get some relief soon.

 

[jmac]

Thanks Nakamova,
I didn't even know I was taking a lot of medication, I have noticed I am getting forgetful and seem not to be taking things in when people tell me things, so could be all the meds I am taking. I am waiting for results of a Electromyography I had last week so keeping my fingers crossed I find out whats going on.
cheers John.

 

[Luckylukas]

I had myoclonic jerks quite bad for some time a few years back,I've had epilepsy my whole life but no jerks prior to when they came on. They started then worsened as I changed my meds and got to the stage where it happened few times at work and in front of others, so after a lot of stress and inability to drive for a certain period (advised by neuro) I changed my meds once more, stopped drinking and got more sleep which I'm bloody rapt worked.

I was on keppra and tegretol before advised to slowly change to valpro, lamictal and keppra

 

[jmac]

Thanks Luky, pleased your ok now.
It just seems to me that it's trail and error or pot luck getting meds right.
cheers John.