During a myoclonic seizure, the person has sudden, short-lasting muscle jerks. Usually, just one or both arms jerk, but sometimes the person’s head or whole body jerks. The jerking can be very mild, like a twitch, or it can be very forceful. Occasionally, severe myoclonic jerks in the legs can make the person fall and hurt themselves.
Myoclonic seizures may happen as one isolated jerk. Or, they can happen in clusters.
Myoclonic seizures are very brief, but can be extremely frustrating. For example, they can result in spilt drinks or injuries.
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