Myoclonic seizures or jerks

Most of us have experienced a sudden jerk as we are falling asleep. Although this jerk is not epilepsy, it is similar to the jerks experienced by someone who has myoclonic seizures. The term myoclonic comes from myo meaning muscle, and clonus meaning jerk.

Myoclonic seizures can affect your whole body, but are usually restricted to one or both arms and sometimes your head. During the seizure, you are not conscious, but it is so brief that you appear to remain fully conscious. Sometimes, the jerking is severe enough to make you fall.

Myoclonic seizures usually happen in the morning. The seizures are brief, but they can be extremely frustrating. For example, they can often result in spilt drinks or similar accidents.

PDF Leaflet:

Epileptic seizures explained

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I am now 67 years old. I have been on epanutin since the age of 16 for what was then described as petit mal. Over recent years it has been described as myclonic siezures. I used to have a sudden jerk in one of my arms early morning and only what i can describe as a jerk to the eyes. It only happens very rarely now. I can say that I only ever fell to the ground and that was after a late night and drink when I was young. My main reason for ringing is because I have got a 13 year old grandson with autism and he started with epilepsy a year ago. I was with him when he had his first 'do' He dropped his spoon as he was having breakfast and he had facial jerks but very little arm jerks, he was unaware. In the weeks leading up to this he had absences for about 10 seconds. He is now on Tegretol which is controling him, not entirely, but they are better. He is never aware of anything and needs a sleep afterwards. \in your opinion do you think it has been hereditary. Bearing in mind that I was perfect at school in fact on the brainy side with no learning difficulties at all unlike my grandson.

Thank you
Mrs B Naylor

Submitted by barbara naylor on 16 September, 2008 - 09:32.