Myoclonic jerks and seizures

are myoclonic seizures a type of epilepsy?
are myoclonic jerks a type of epilepsy?

I have been under observation for 2 years for possible MS. MRI's show lesions in the cortex, but not where MS lesions should be. Developed movement disorder in right arm and head. Repeated jerks that happen often, almost daily now and worsen upon tiredness, fever and stress. Movement specialist says myoclonic jerks then goes back to diskynesia,, then back to myoclonic jerks. EEG showed negative, even though an episode of repetitive jerks happened upon hyperventilation in right arm. I am trying to figure out what myoclonic jerks are as everytime I research it I end up on an epilepsy website.

thanks in advance.

[suzsibs]

I have 2 types of myoclonus, spinal myoclonus and reflex myoclonus. 2 EEGs normal. I have been told not epilepsy therefore they are not always due to epilepsy. Although the treatment I have been given is clonazepam which is an anti epilepsy drug.
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Suz

[theasian]

in plain, simple english, myoclonus is involuntary contraction and relaxing of a muscle, doctors just want to sound clever so they gave it a fancy name, at least thats what i think ;) it can be caused by many things for example: liver or kidney problems, brain or spinal cord injury, infection or disease, abnormal growths, vitamin or mineral deficiencies,oxygen deprevation and also a side effect from medication, amongst others.
there is a very big debate on whether or not myoclonic jerks are actually type of epilepsy or not. they are both caused by abnormal electrical charges so in essence they can be considered the same thing, that's why anti-epileptics are used to treat myoclonus (well, that and the fact that there hasn't really been any research on something that specifically treats myoclonus) i've been told that mine could be a type of epilepsy but instead of originating in the brain, it originates from the spinal cord hence all my EEG's have been normal and unfortunately there is no way to test the charges in your spinal cord so we can't confirm or deny this theory.
however most doctors prefer to treat myoclonus as a movement disorder. many people have normal EEG's therefore they feel that it muscular in nature, hence why it's a movement disorder. they usually perform an EMG to see if there's something wrong with the actual muscle.
sorry if this is a bit long winded, i hope it at least helps you a little
take care

[FrankieT]

Oh, thank you for your reply. So if they deem me with movement disorder, I would continue to see a movement specialist. But if they suspect frontal lobe epilepsy, it's back to the general neurologist?

They put me on clonazepam, which if nothing else, ensures I get a full night's sleep. Maybe the extra sleep will be help all this anyway!!

[FrankieT]

Hi, they just started me on clonazepam. How do you fare with this drug. Do you experience side effects? How long have you been taking it. Do you have any warnings or advice you would feel comfortable sharing? I wouldn't hold you to it. :)

[theasian]

you wouldn't necessarily have to see a movement specialist, if your general neuro can keep it under control then you can just carry on going to him. only if it starts getting out of hand would you go see a specialist.
i tried clonazepam and it actually made my jerks worse! everyone responds to different meds differently so your neuro will just have to play around, with your consent, to get the right thing for you. i'm taking sodium valproate and lamotrigine now