Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, JME, is one of the more common types of epilepsy, with approximately seven percent of all epilepsy cases being JME, according to Epilepsy.com. Despite the name, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy can affect a person at any time of his life. The condition is prefixed with "juvenile" because symptoms are usually first seen during childhood. Any type of epilepsy is normally treated with conventional medications, and herbal remedies should only be considered as a complementary therapy to anti-epileptic drugs. Consult your doctor for advice on seizure control.
JME Symptoms
The "myoclonic" part of JME refers to myoclonic jerks. These quick, involuntary jerking movements may involve a single limb or your entire body. People without epilepsy commonly experience myoclonic jerks -- for example, having spasms in the legs before falling asleep. When myoclonic jerks occur as symptoms of epilepsy, they may happen alone or in conjunction with other seizure-related symptoms. In addition to myoclonic jerks, patients with JME may experience absence seizures or tonic-clonic seizures involving convulsions and a loss of consciousness.
Drug Treatment for JME
Valproate and lamotrigine are the two drugs most commonly prescribed to control JME seizures. Valproate, registered under the name Depakote, is usually the first choice of medication for male patients with JME. Lamotrigine, also known as Lamictal, is usually the first choice for women. Unlike valproate, lamotrigine does not usually cause menstrual irregularity, and has a lower risk of causing birth defects when taken during pregnancy. According to an article in the Fall 2008 issue of "CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics," levetiracetam is another effective drug treatment for JME. Some anti-epileptic medications may aggravate your JME symptoms.
Herbs and JME
The symptoms of JME are typically aggravated by sleep deprivation. If you struggle with insomnia or cannot establish a regular sleep pattern, herbs which help you relax and sleep may have a beneficial effect on your JME symptoms. Herbal teas that contain no caffeine -- chamomile, fruit or mint teas, for example -- may calm you down and help you sleep. Certain sedative herbs, including valerian, chamomile, kava and passionflower, can intensify the effects of your regular anti-epileptic medications, and could make you extremely drowsy or impaired.
Herbs To Avoid
Every person's experience of epilepsy, and of JME, is different. Herbs which help one person with JME may harm a different person with the same diagnosis. Certain herbs and plants have a general tendency to increase seizure activity -- patients with epilepsy are usually advised to avoid essential oils of fennel, rosemary, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, wormwood or sage. Nutmeg can provoke seizures for some people, and lessen seizures for others.
References
- "CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics"; Treatment of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy; S. Auvin; Fall 2008
- Epilepsy.com; Treatment for JME; 11 November 2003
- MayoClinic.com; Myoclonus Causes; 1 July 2010
- Epilepsy.com: Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy
- "Epilepsy and Behavior"; Herbal Medicines and Epilepsy; M. Spinella; December 2001
- Esoteric Oils: Epilepsy and Essential Oils in Aromatherapy
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