Involuntary jerking and spasms (Myoclonus) are keeping him awake
Does anybody have any experience with Myoclonus?
Background: My husband had a seizure in February. The neurologist prescribed Keppra, to prevent future seizures. It knocked my husband out and so we weaned him off that. Shortly after that he suddenly had a surge of involuntary small movements. It is called Myoclonus and the neurologist said that it is hard to treat; often it is not treated unless it is disrupting the person's ability to do things. The movements died down and I attributed them to him having tried the anti-seizure medication. My husband had another seizure two weeks ago. Now, the myoclonus is back in a big way. The movements are happening in different parts of his body very frequently. It is affecting him particularly at night: He senses them -- frequently they are strong enough to make him exclaim "oh!" --- and they are waking him up. I think that that loss of good sleep may be contributing to his very recent unusual tiredness and decline in concentration during walking.
I have written to our neurologist, but, you know, the real experience of living with a condition is so different from their view as doctors. Any inputs from you will be appreciated.
We've entered a new phase this year. Up to now, my husband has not had medical issues (not including a heart attack in 2020). These new medical issues are neurological it seems that the medicines can have big effects on his energy. I am loath to trade off his quality of life for uncertain benefits. But here we are, I hate to see him so uncomfortable.
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@memoriestomoments, there are a few discussions about myoclonus in other support groups on Mayo Clinic Connect, like these ones:
- Anyone have Myoclonus (sleep starts): What helps?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myoclonus-1/
- Severe myoclonus when lying down. Epilepsy? Diagnosis?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-wife-has-had-severe-myoclonus-for-a-year-when-laying-down/
This must be so stressful for both of you, not to mention the sleep interruption.
@colleenyoung Thank you Colleen! I will look there.
The myoclonus symptoms have diminished. We'll see what kind of equilibrium we can achieve between the symptom reduction and the medication side effects.
Thanks again for thinking of this.