Myoclonus: options for treatment

Hi,

I'm a 28 year old male who's currently undergoing treatment for myoclonus. My symptoms are a little strange in that I have jerks that are kinesegenic, but they seem to be caused by my nervous system getting very wound up and energised - the jerks remenicent of the movements of a machine that over-shoots its target.

So far I have tried topiramate, clobazam and clonazepam. The first two produced a horrible reaction and had no real effect on the symptoms, but clonazepam (.5mg three times a day) has been very good indeed. No symptoms at all.

The problem is that this is a benzo, and so there is the issue of both addiction and tolerance. I already feel as if I'm becoming tolerant to it and that it's not as effective as it was when I first started taking it 3 weeks ago - the feeling of being wound up is slowly returning. This is clearly a problem since I'm giong to have to take medication for my condition for the rest of my life.

So I was wondering if anyone else had used other drugs to help, specifically keppra. I was contemplating using it as a 'safety net' in conjunction with the clonazepam. It looks appealing since there are no tolerance issues and no interaction between the two drugs.

Paul

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

'Barbiturates slow down the central nervous system and cause tranquilizing or antiseizure effects. Phenytoin and primidone are effective antiepileptics drugs, although phenytoin can cause liver failure or have other harmful long-term effects in patients with PME. Sodium valproate is an alternative therapy for myoclonus and can be used either alone or in combination with clonazepam.'

'Levetiracetam, a newer anticonvulsant is often used as an add-on therapy but may be used alone. It has few side effects — dizziness, drowsiness, weakness — and is generally well tolerated.

Other anticonvulsants, such as lamotrigine, ethosuximide and zonisamide. These may be combined with divalproex sodium to treat epileptic myoclonus.'

You could read more about the condition at the following links -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoclonus

and

www.mayoclinic.com/health/myoclonus/DS00754

You should consult your doctor and preferably a neurologist for your symptoms to get a complete clinical examination.

Let us know if you need any further information.

Regards.