My wife has fits

Per

Registered User
Apr 16, 2006
16
0
St Helens, Merseyside
My wife has had Alzheimer's for about a year and she is now starting to get fits. Her arms and legs do not thrash about but her whole body moves as if she has had an electric shock. This also occurs when she is asleep. She is unaware of any of these occurences. Can anyone give me any help? The doctor just gives her aspirin. She is on Aricept but I think it is losing its efficaciousness for her. Her memory is getting poor but she is in very good spirits. Thanks everyone, Per.
 

Amy

Registered User
Jan 4, 2006
3,454
0
Is this that jerking that Nat put a name to some time ago? Someone help me out here I can't remember what it was called!! These happen to mum, particularly when she is just waking up; she throws her whole body backwards.
Amy
 

connie

Registered User
Mar 7, 2004
9,519
0
Frinton-on-Sea
Hi, think what you are referring to was "myoclonus"

Lionel was put on diazapam, at night, to control the jerks as he used to literally jerk out of bed.

Doseage was way too high at first, and caused more trouble than enough, but is stabilised now, and does not jerk or jump at all.

The paramedics who come out to us all seem to know about the condition, but it took ages to get anyone to do anything about it in our case.

Hope this helps, Connie
 

Per

Registered User
Apr 16, 2006
16
0
St Helens, Merseyside
Caree fitting

Dear Connie, thanks for the information. Where would I get some inf about myoclonus? Julia has had a slight downturn memorywise. She took her night pills in the morning from the cassette. I will now have to supervise her. She may not like it but it must be done. By the way I am 63 and she is 64. We had a nice Easter with all the family round. Hope you did also.
Best Wishes, Per.
 

Per

Registered User
Apr 16, 2006
16
0
St Helens, Merseyside
Fits and Alz

Dear Connie,
Thanks for the information. There is something that occurs to me. My wife sweats a lot, but only in the head area, and she often has a musty smell around her neck which she has never had before. I don't know if this would be worth mentioning to the doctor in a private note? She showers and washes as usual (as far as I know).
Thanks,
Per
 

Per

Registered User
Apr 16, 2006
16
0
St Helens, Merseyside
'Fits' may not be fits.

Dear Connie,
I took Julia to see the neurologist this afternoon. He examined her and questioned her about her condition. He specialises in epilepsy at the Walton Neurological Centre in Liverpool. He concluded that her occasional daytime occurrences were not in any way 'fits' as he knows them and that the night time jerks were probably 'myclonic' just as you suggested.
He does not know what the occurrences in the daytime are and he has sent Julia for an EEG in a couple of weeks time.
You certainly helped us with your clever comments. The doctor says that the myclonus is so mild that no treatment is required. He said that the EEG is just to check to see if he has missed anything.
Thankyou very much and best wishes and love to you and your husband.
Peter.
 

connie

Registered User
Mar 7, 2004
9,519
0
Frinton-on-Sea
Peter, thank you for letting us know how you are Julia are getting on.

Let us hope that they can help you both along with an insight into the "jerks".
Wishing you both all the best.
 

Per

Registered User
Apr 16, 2006
16
0
St Helens, Merseyside
Julia just got worse - questions I can't answer

Dear Connie, Julia is more confused now and had a cognitive function test at which she scored badly. For a couple of days I had bad depression - which I think was mainly caused by a sleeping pill I use. She registered I was unwell and responded well. However, a hard question, she asks me 'What is going to become of me?' and I can't really give a satisfactory reply. Things are bad but not that bad. I have not felt like going out for over a week but we will go somewhere today. Can you help me at all?
Best Wishes
Peter
 

Michael E

Registered User
Apr 14, 2005
619
0
Ronda Spain
Peter hi,

Really sorry about the problems you are going through - When Monique was diagnosed 3 years ago I was 61 and she was 63 so we were similar ages as you two except Monique did not have the same Moyoclonus problems as Julia. She did however end up in hospital for a few days during the summer for digestion problems.. Now I really have to supervise most of the things in her life - the pills, washing, clothing - I get the feeling she is going downhill fairly fast as well.

I get more or less the same question = 'What is going to become of me?' and I too can't really give a satisfactory reply. Normally end up with something like I will always see you are OK - Look after you which is the nearest I can come to the truth... so difficult...

Not sure why I am writing this except to say 'we are not alone' if that helps and that this sickness does seem to go through different stage, changes in the symptoms so one is not battling the same thing all the time..

regards

Michael
 

Amy

Registered User
Jan 4, 2006
3,454
0
Hiya Peter,
I think Connie may be away on holiday, so will not be able to reply just yet.
I think that all you can do is reassure Julia that you will be there for her, that you will make sure that she is OK, that you will go on caring for her as long as you can. None of us know how long we have to live, so we all should make the most of each day - so tell her that that is what you two are going to do, and that she need not worry about the future. It must be difficult if you are having difficulty sleeping and suffering with depression. Do you have a digital camera? Make yourselves go out, doesn't have to be far, and take pictures of having fun; then you can look at them together and say that's what we enjoyed today, this week.
You both have to live Norman's Day by Day, looking forward and worrying about the future is not going to change it.
When you get back today, let us know what you have been up to - I've just been out for a walk with my dog and my son, it is a glorious morning.
Take care, and have a good day.
Love Helen
 

DaisyG

Registered User
Feb 20, 2006
183
0
North West England
Clonus and Fits

My husband also has 'clonus' and 'seizures'.
The seizures are 'Post Stroke' , as is the 'clonus'.

It took some time for all the relevent Doctors (Neuro/Stroke/Cardio/Rheumatology) to agrree 'what was what'...

I've generally describe the clonus shaking as 'more vibratory'... and the seizure shaking as 'more rigid and jerky'.

The clonus shakes can initially look like a small seizure... but my huusband is always able to respond to me when he is having a clonus type shake... The seizures... he's 'completely non - responsive'.


He ONLY has clonus down his STROKE side... It can occur sittling, lying or standing....

When he 'fits' ... ALL LIMBS ... shake like crazy... for ages...


He had the EEG, which I'm told can sometimes be inconclusive, unless the test induces a small fit.
I was allowed in the room as well, so please ask the technicians if you think you might like to see the test . (You will have to remain SILENT).
It will take approx 20-30 minutes.
(The setting up of the test will take another 20 minutes... as they have to stick loaed of electrodes on the scalp....)

My husband has also had a 48 hour EEG, but he was an inpatient for a day or so...
This showed that he has continuous 'activity' over his right frontal lobe...
Which was NOT seen on the EEG.

The test won't hurt, so no 'worries' there...
The technicians were really nice... and I'm sure will answer any of questions.

Post me a PM if you have any questions or concerns...

Take Care

DaisyG