I have lived with epilepsy for 20 years.  I have been a patient at an
epilepsy center at a large university hospital for approximately 18 years
(and I have seen as many as 10 different doctors over the years).  My
seizures have been grand mal (4 in the past 20 years), but I have also
suffered from myoclonic seizures for the past 6 years.  I have been taking
Tegretol since the seizures began (allergic reactions to Phenobarb and
Dilantin).  The doctor's are not quite sure how to control the myoclonis (my
form is that of an exaggerated 'hiccup', where I forget what I am
thinking/discussing for a few seconds, but can also appear as a jerking
motion of my arms/legs).  I currently take 800 mg of Tegretol (extended tab)
and 400 mg of Lamictal daily.  I find that if I do not get enough sleep
and/or have restless sleep that it is almost certain that I will have a
series of myoclonic seizures in the morning.  My grand mal seizures have
been under control for 20 years (I had one relapse last summer due to
stress), but these small myoclonis episodes ("jerks") are quite bothersome.
Has anyone ever experienced the same?   I would appreciate hearing from
someone who has experienced the same and what you have found to have stopped
(or even reduced the amount) the myoclonic seizures.

I am located in southwestern PA and am looking for a new doctor.  I have
become a name and a number (with a LARGE file) to my doctor's office for too
many years.  I am looking for a doctor who cares about me and actually takes
the time to look at my file and understand my symptoms and history, not one
who asks me the same questions everytime I visit the office - information
that is written on the front page of my file (something he would know if he
actually cared to look at the file).  If anyone out there is from this area
and has suggestions, I would love to hear from you.  I am a mother of a 9
month old and I need to find a better doctor and a solution for these
"jerks".