Lip-smacking, teeth-chomping turned out to be seizures

Call me Gram

I want to share something I’ve recently learned that might help others…

Seizures are much more common in PWD than many of us realize, and they often don’t look like the typical “convulsive” seizures we think of or see in the movies. They can be very subtle—things like brief confusion, staring spells, or small repetitive movements. In my DH's case, the earliest clue was lip-smacking, which later progressed to teeth chomping. At the time, I had no idea this could be seizure activity, but I began to ask him what he was feeling. It was a vague numbness or tingling in his upper abdomen which later progressed to his left thigh.

These episodes became more pronounced and frequent, so I contacted DH's neurologist. I shared with him a log I had been keeping of these "episodes" and the neurologist speculated that they may be "focal seizures." He ran an EEG and confirmed evidence of seizures, which appeared to be more prevalent during sleep. (That could explain DH's nighttime movements that I assumed were muscle spasms.) The neurologist started DH on Keppra a few days ago and we’ve already seen improvement in his sleep. I'm told that treating these seizures may slow his cognitive decline. Only time will tell.

I’m sharing this in case it helps someone else recognize signs they might otherwise overlook—if something seems unusual or repetitive, it may be worth discussing with a neurologist.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.940515/full

Goodlife2025

Interesting thank you for sharing!

Vitruvius

My DW had this as well. Her neurologist called them “silent seizures”. My DW was also put on Keppra but after about a week or so it became apparent it was very negatively affecting her mood. So the neurologist and I decided that overall my DW would have a better quality of life living with these light seizures than with the Keppra. For us it was more important that she be happy, which she generally was, despite any risk to her longevity. After a number of months or even a bit longer the seizures seem to fade away but it is hard to parse from her overall decline.

I suggest you google Keppra and read about the potential side effects, particularly hose related to mood and behavior, they are prominent, so that you can watch for them. Others have used this drug with no problems so your DH may be fine.

Call me Gram

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/269020#Comment_269020

Thank you, Vitruvius! I am hopeful that DH will not have any adverse side effects, but the neurologist and I are staying alert. Like you, I would opt out of the meds if they begin to cause mood/behavior issues.

For now however, he is enjoying a peaceful night's sleep each night.