Myoclonus, Lexipro, and Depakote

[DarkAngel]

Two years ago, my shrink put me on Lexipro for severe depression. I noticed that after I had been taking it for about a month, that I would get uncontrolled facial grimacing, lip and tongue twitching, and shoulders, arms, and leg jerks. It was not all the time and not that severe so I just went off the Lexipro thinking that it was nothing to worry about and that it would just go away. Since then, I have not taken any Lexipro but the Myoclonus is getting worse. I am also getting a lot of Migraines. I have been taking Clonazepam for years for anxiety and supposedly this is a cure for Myoclonus but I don't think so. I am trying to wean myself off of it. People on the forum have discussed triggers. Mine does not seem to have a trigger. I can be perfectly calm, sitting in my recliner watching TV and the jerking is still happening. Sometimes I think it's from stress even though my life right now is not stressful. The biggest stress that I am having is fear of driving which is the only way I have of surviving as I live out in the country, have no family or friends in the area, there is no bus or taxi system here and I MUST DRIVE!!!! I am 56 and totally alone and now turning into a shut-in because I am too embarrassed to go out and get stared out because of my facial tics and body twitches. This is Hell. It is not the quality of life that I was hoping for in my old age. Now this, after surviving cancer and having Hepatitis C for 25 years. I am afraid to take ANY medication for fear that it will make me worse. Valproic Acid has been mentioned as a drug that supposedly alleviates the symptoms of Myoclonus and I am going to try a very low dosage of that. I am also going to purchase Magnesium pills and see if that helps. If anyone has tried Valproic Acid (Depakote) and if it has helped, could you please email me or answer this post? Thank you.

[Jim59]

I took Depakote for seizure control and it worked fantastic for me. I understand that it's used for a variety of neurological purposes. My seizures are caused by a neurological seizure disorder and not epilepsy. I know that Depakote can be used to treat Myoclonic epilepsy, but I don't know anything about Myoclonus. Good luck,
Jim

[Buttons2]

Hi there, I've had myoclonus for years now. I was on Zoloft when the jerking started but I strongly suspect I have Lyme disease that is actually the culprit. I never took the Klonopin neuros prescribed for me,you are right to taper off.....I went off the Zoloft cold-turkey & had no problems doing that.

About the magnesium, do some research on it. Not all the same. Can cause some tummy issues.

Have you tried taking B12? Also, I gave up drinking so many diet sodas a few years ago, I'm still addicted to having one per day but that's it.

My myoclonus was very severe,I know exactly what you mean about being looked at like a freak,it wasn't painful but it sure was paining other people to see me jerk/jump around like that!

I also have triggers,but these days I still jerk when in my recliner perfectly relaxed. Wine helps me, so now I'm a wino! I also take Flexeril & it seems to help.

I gave up driving 3 years ago, was afraid I'd jerk my foot off the peddle or shift into wrong gear!

Wishing you some better days ahead, there's not alot of info about myoclonus,doctor's have told me I possibly have MS or Parkinson's, none will consider Lyme as a possibility in WA state. One doc was so ignorant he wanted to give me a steroid shot in my spine,myoclonus is a brain issue!

Good luck with the new drug, hopefully it will be the answer for you.
Buttons

[wijsgeer]

hi,

I got myoclonus from out of nothing, one day during my holidays when I was 19 (am 33 now). No real diagnosis nor medication (seen several neurologists). It came and went, at times when it was realy bad it lasted days, incapacitating me.

4 Years ago I got prescribed (a relatively high dose of) Depakine (depakote) by a psychiatrist because of bipolar. I've never been so pleased with a medication. It helped with my bipolar symptoms, but it also alleviated my myoclonus considerably (it still troubles me when tired and there are sudden noises or people touch me) and on top of that it worked against the migrainse that troubled me several times a week.

Response can differ wildly between individuals ofcourse, but from my side a thumbs up for depakine.

[Buttons2]

Just wanted to welcome you to BT. This thread is old so don't expect many replies.

I finally gave up that last diet Pepsi last spring & have had NO severe myoclonic jerks for months now. I do still have triggers but I see these as more a jerk reflex than myoclonus.

Glad to hear that the drug is helping you!