Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

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 sandyaco on Fri, 2008-05-30 - 23:06
Hello,  Thank you for posting.  I too am new to the site .  I am 59 and had a seizure in the middle of a dress shop in April.  My husband had the worst of it having to watch and not know what was wrong.  I have been told this is an adult onset condition.  I have had all the tests and am taking Lamactal as a precaution.  I have been told that there is a good chance I will seize again.  I work full time and am feeling much better.  I do seem to have some vacant moments though.  I am not sure if that's just my age though.  Please let me know if you have similar experiences.  I am sorry you all have this problem, but it is comforting to know I am not alone.  Thanks for listening,  Jan H

Re: New Here: First Seizure Questions: Adult onset?

Submitted by scratch on Tue, 2008-06-10 - 05:55
i hope you feeling better paige......... take care and god bless

Re: New Here: First Seizure Questions: Adult onset?

Submitted by DonnaC74 on Tue, 2008-09-23 - 18:57

I have a cold, had one for a few days now and today I fell asleep in the recliner and woke unable to move my limbs, I was shaking, I couldn't open my mouth and I barely understood my surroundings.  I tried to speak but couldn't; it felt like my jaw was wired shut.  It lasted about 45 seconds, then started again.  It happened three times each shorter than the last, all in about a total of 2-3 minutes.  Then I fell dead asleep and woke wondering if it was really a dream.  I don't think it was.

 

I'm a nurse and in my head while this was happening I thought I'm having a seizure but I also know I shouldn't have been concious enough to say I knew I was in the middle of a seizure.   I definately wonder if anyone else recalls knowing a seizure was happening right in the middle of it happening.

D~

I have a cold, had one for a few days now and today I fell asleep in the recliner and woke unable to move my limbs, I was shaking, I couldn't open my mouth and I barely understood my surroundings.  I tried to speak but couldn't; it felt like my jaw was wired shut.  It lasted about 45 seconds, then started again.  It happened three times each shorter than the last, all in about a total of 2-3 minutes.  Then I fell dead asleep and woke wondering if it was really a dream.  I don't think it was.

 

I'm a nurse and in my head while this was happening I thought I'm having a seizure but I also know I shouldn't have been concious enough to say I knew I was in the middle of a seizure.   I definately wonder if anyone else recalls knowing a seizure was happening right in the middle of it happening.

D~

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.