What is true myoclonus

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Just had letter back from hospital after having electrophysiological tests done, says I have slightly lower conduction on left leg and that test suggest it is true myoclonus with no overlying functional element, I have to go for a MRI scan as I have suffered this for 5 yrs and it was 5yrs since I had MRI and lumber puncture done, jerks have got worse everyday now for past 4 months. What I am really asking is what is true myoclonus or what is wrong with me. Any ideas.
 
"True myoclonus" is a term used to refer to epileptic myoclonus (as opposed to myoclonus that is non-epileptic). So it sounds like the MRI is to rule out any lesions or structural brain cause. Have you been prescribed medication to treat the jerks?
 
Hello Nakamova thanks for reply, I have been lead to believe I just had myoclonus jerks for past 5 years, been managing by taking gabapentin and just taking a few extra when jerks got worse so been ok for work etc, 4 months ago while at work they got really bad and speech got bad, am now taking 1250mg keppra, .5 clonazapam, 300mg gabapentin all twice daily but getting no better. Been off work now for 4 months and no sign of getting back. Never thought this had anythinh to do with epilepsy. cheers John.
 
Hmm...sounds like it's time for a change if all those drugs aren't helping. Clonazepam is the drug of choice for treating epileptic myoclonic jerks. Other meds that are used are Phenytoin and Sodium Valproate, Primidone and Phenobarbital. Ask your doc about reviewing your current line-up. It might be worth tapering off the keppra and gabapentin, trying one of the other meds listed above, and/or increasing the Clonazepam.
 
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