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Myoclonus describes both a symptom and a disease. The disease, Myoclonus ("myo") muscle
("clonus") jerk, describes a brief sudden, singular, shock-like muscle contraction that refers to a condition
characterized by myoclonus. Myoclonus arises due to damage to the central nervous system, which comprises of the
spinal cord and brain. It is activated by an electrical discharge originating in the central nervous system, which
is transmitted through peripheral nerves to produce the sudden muscle contractions.
Myoclonic jerks can cause disability by interrupting normal posture or movement. In some cases,
the jerking begins in one region of the body and spreads to muscles in other areas. People severely suffering from
Myoclonus may be unable to stand or walk, reach or grasp objects, feed or dress themselves, speak, or even direct
their gaze because of the involuntary muscle jerking that interferes with all these functions.
The causes of pathological Myoclonus are numerous, and include virtually every known type of brain
or spinal cord injury, whether metabolic, nutritional, degenerative, traumatic, vascular, hereditary, infectuous,
or toxic. Myoclonus can be a defining feature of many medical and neurological diseases, and can be combined with
many other symptoms, including Epilepsy, dementia, growth retardation, poor coordination, visual disturbances,
and others. For example, Myoclonic jerking may develop in patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease,
Alzheimer's Disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob.
There are many types of Myoclonus, such as Action Myoclonus, Cortical Reflex
Myoclonus, Essential Myoclonus, Palatal Myoclonus, Progressive Myoclonus
Epilepsy (PME), Reticular Reflex Myoclonus, Stimulus-sensitive Myoclonus,
and Sleep Myoclonus.
I believe that I have a mixture of a few types but am mainly Stimulus-sensitive. Stimulus-sensitive is triggered
by a variety of external events, including noise, movement, and light. Surprise may increase the sensitivity. I
also react to foods, chemicals, smells, temperature changes, and electrical frequency fluctuation (such as power
substations or lightning storms).
There are many medications that are being used for this disease. A few
of them are Clonazepam, Valproic Acid, Keppra, Depakote, Buspar, and Valium.
I take Keppra & Lamictal. I, also, occassionally take Valium when seizures
become out of control.
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