I know sometimes when we are sleeping or dreaming we may have a sudden jolt or light tremble in our sleeps, but how do you know if it’s just that or a small seizure? My husband occasionally will have his leg/feet or arm/hand tremble or shake about 2-4 times in his sleep? He doesn’t wake and when he does the next morning he’s normal, not tired and sore like when he was having seizures before med. So, does anyone else experience this and what was the outcome, just hypnic jolts or actually seizure activity?
It’s difficult to know. I know plenty of people who have quite active dreams: my mother-in-law has been ‘converted’ by her rugby-playing husband more than once at night(!) but if it is unusual for him, it may be worth asking the doctor. I assume that it is possible to have a sleep monitor undertaken to check for unusual activity.
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Thanks for the reply. He has done it before, but I guess since he had a grand mal in his sleep about a month ago, I am on high alert. Every movement while he sleeps alerts me.
This is really bad for you. It is definitely just as important for you to “let go” of any concerns as it is for him. I’m also sure there are some members here who have had seizures at night, so it is a possibility. I’d ask about a sleep study to rule it out.
I agree an am trying to let go. I really appreciate your advice.
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Nocturnal seizure activity can be really hard to determine if it’s seizure of typical sleep movements. A video EEG for at least one night may be necessary, but it may still not provide answers.
That said, anti seizure meds can wind up creating new/different seizures. This is definitely one to talk to the doctor about. You may want to ask about whether it’s worthwhile to set up a video monitor at home for the moment.
My area of knowledge on this is due to my daughter’s epilepsy diagnosis at 15 years old. The videos I took were instrumental in getting her hospitalized for a VEEG much quicker.
Sharon from ModSupport
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Hi Tanicia, Having seizures at night is my “specialty.” (gran mal) First off, be thankful that your husband doesn’t usually have them. (The pain/hangover are debilitating for about a day and a half for me.) Also it’s good that he has them at night so it shouldn’t affect his ability to drive.
Regardless whether they are seizures or not, there’s not much you can do. If he wakes up and feels fine, just ask him if he wants anything like tylenol or water… If he doesn’t feel okay you’ll both have to make a decision whether to take him to the emergency room. (I can’t give advice on that, it’s a huge gray area.
The main thing is to keep him safe because he could be unsteady and try to get up. But he sounds completely coherent so you should be able to explain that you think he could have had a small seizure and you it’s best to stay put.
Definitely write down the date/duration and any details you can remember for his neurologist. Best wishes, Greg
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Contacted Neuro-epileptology and they didn’t seem concerned that it was a seizure since it only was about 4 jerks and he woke up fine the next morning. When he had his first seizure at night it was the stiff shaking followed by heavy breathing and confusion. The next day he was sore and tired in the legs. Also, neck pain for about a week. But, this was just a twitch here and there and he woke up his normal self, so neuro doesn’t suspect anything yet. He does take Keppra 500mg twice daily which he didn’t have a seizure until almost 5 months after weaning off. Now he’s back on it for prevention.
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It’s good to talk to them so as to let go of the worry yourself. Well done!
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