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New Here: First Seizure Questions: Adult onset?
Thu, 05/22/2008 - 23:46
Hi, New here: A little background 1st:
I had my 1st seizure about a few weeks ago. My husband called 911 when he woke up to hear me making sounds and struggling. He said I was jerking, eyes rolled back, moving everywhere, not responding, no clue he was there. I didn't respond to 4 paramedics, an ambulance ride. When I came around I didn't know where I was and my tongue was bit up. I couldn't hardly talk. My blood sugar was very low and I had a headache on the left side of my head. I did not know where I was which caused hyperventilation. With not one around, not memory of what happened. My husband was still at home waiting to come and have someone stay with the kids. Once we were all settled and my husband could get there and tell what happened, I got the full work up. MRI, EEG you name it they did it. I stayed at the hospital for 2 days. My EEG spiked and I had a seizure with that. So Complex Partial Seizure left frontal lobe with secondary generalization. I did a sleep study, results soon. On Depakote, no driving for 6 months. I have had simple partial seizures after the hospital visit.
My son has seizures as well and on Depakote/Tegretol. He had a stroke at birth so they say my seizure and his seizures are not related. His is due to brain injury at birth. The Dr. feels that I am under stress...well yea stay at home mom to a boy that had a stroke, not to mention other stuff. The Dr. said stress triggers seizures. They said I could be having tiny seizures in my sleep then the big one the other day.
Questions:
Many of my friends are asking me if adult onset seizures are common? I forgot to ask the Dr.
Will this be the last big one? Or more to come? If I have another one the 6 month driving starts over so did some of you not drive for a year?
I am depakote and they will raise it up to the right dose for me gradually. I am bit overweight anyway....I heard it makes you gain??
If my sleep study comes back saying I have sleep apnea which caused the seizure, won't a cpap machine help and I really don't have a seizure disorder??
Thanks for reading!
Comments
Re: New Here: First Seizure Questions: Adult onset?
Submitted by Meow on Sat, 2008-05-31 - 07:40
Adult onset in my case as well (in my 40s).
suggestions: start keeping a diary of your seizures and a list of questions for your neurologist. if you dont already have a good calendar, get one where you can make sure to write down your drs. appointments, dose changes, EEGs and other tests. and get a medalert bracelet in case it happens when you are out on your own.
i have lost my driving privileges for 1 year (though they haven't given me an 'official' diagnosis of epilepsy, i have fainted about 14 times).
Also new to this group but have not had any responses to my first message, so maybe i am in the wrong community here.
Adult onset in my case as well (in my 40s).
suggestions: start keeping a diary of your seizures and a list of questions for your neurologist. if you dont already have a good calendar, get one where you can make sure to write down your drs. appointments, dose changes, EEGs and other tests. and get a medalert bracelet in case it happens when you are out on your own.
i have lost my driving privileges for 1 year (though they haven't given me an 'official' diagnosis of epilepsy, i have fainted about 14 times).
Also new to this group but have not had any responses to my first message, so maybe i am in the wrong community here.
Re: New Here: First Seizure Questions: Adult onset?
Submitted by lookinout4u on Fri, 2008-05-23 - 02:16
First: You will be ok!
Second: You have to be honest with your neuro and yourself. Most triggers are related to lack of sleep or insuffient diet. If all your tests come back negative(ie MRI, Cat scan, EEG, blood work) your meds should help. However, you might have to change meds before they fit you. Different meds for different folks and or conditions. Seizures are a side-effect of something and it sounds like diet and sleep, with anxiety could be contributing. I would spend as much money as you can afford, make your sleep #1! Bed, pillows, etc. Small price to pay for your health and happiness.
Third: This website is the best thing for your health, emotions, and family awareness.
Forth: The more pro-active you are, the better you will feel physically and spiritually.
Remember, everyone is here to help and create awareness, which leads to action and then holding yourself accountable. Good luck and I share your feelings.
First: You will be ok!
Second: You have to be honest with your neuro and yourself. Most triggers are related to lack of sleep or insuffient diet. If all your tests come back negative(ie MRI, Cat scan, EEG, blood work) your meds should help. However, you might have to change meds before they fit you. Different meds for different folks and or conditions. Seizures are a side-effect of something and it sounds like diet and sleep, with anxiety could be contributing. I would spend as much money as you can afford, make your sleep #1! Bed, pillows, etc. Small price to pay for your health and happiness.
Third: This website is the best thing for your health, emotions, and family awareness.
Forth: The more pro-active you are, the better you will feel physically and spiritually.
Remember, everyone is here to help and create awareness, which leads to action and then holding yourself accountable. Good luck and I share your feelings.