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Does a seizure disorder = epilepsy?

Sat, 03/29/2008 - 00:15

Greetings, all!

Six weeks ago I was diagnosed with "idiopathic seizure disorder." At my follow up appointment today I asked my neuro for my diagonsis and he said the same thing. He doesn't seem to know what kind of seizures I am having. The EEG showed seizure activity in various parts of the brain. The only thing we seem to know for sure is that I am NOT having grand mal seizures.

So, does having a seizure disorder = epilepsy? Is there a magic moment when a seizure disorder converts to epilepsy? I am not eager for a label, but I just would like to know what to call the stuff happening to me. My seizures change and seem to cover both the complex and simple partial seizure arena.

I am currently on Keppra 3000 mg and Dilantin 300 mg a day and I still have seizures. I have started the long process of starting Lamictal and in 8 weeks he will start weaning me off the Dilantin.

Anyone else have a seizure disorder? Any advice to long and slow process of starting and weaning meds. The side effects of my Keppra/Dilantin cocktail is driving me crazy. I can't tell you how excited I am to add another med to the mix. (Can you hear my cyber-voice dripping with sarcasm?)

Any advice or comments welcome. I've been reading everything I can about seizures, but I can't seem to find myself in any article or textbook. If my EEG wasn't abnormal I would think it was all in my head. (pun intended)

Thanks in advance!!

~christy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

Re: Does a seizure disorder = epilepsy?

Submitted by tcameron on Sun, 2009-05-10 - 18:05

Most of the time a seizure disorder = epilepsy. The left side of the brain sounds like Complex partial seizures...the most common type of seizure.

Non-epileptic seizures or "seudo seizures" do occur; although they are extremely rare. You had your EEG test; so your neurologist knows if they're epileptic seizures. Tell him you demand an answer. Chances are extremely high that you do have epilepsy.

The reason most neurologists don't like to use the word, epilepsy is because of the stigma associated with it. You do deserve to know the truth, and the treatments available to you.

You can find more information at the Epilpesy Foundation of America; www.EFA.org.

Most of the time a seizure disorder = epilepsy. The left side of the brain sounds like Complex partial seizures...the most common type of seizure.

Non-epileptic seizures or "seudo seizures" do occur; although they are extremely rare. You had your EEG test; so your neurologist knows if they're epileptic seizures. Tell him you demand an answer. Chances are extremely high that you do have epilepsy.

The reason most neurologists don't like to use the word, epilepsy is because of the stigma associated with it. You do deserve to know the truth, and the treatments available to you.

You can find more information at the Epilpesy Foundation of America; www.EFA.org.

Re: Does a seizure disorder = epilepsy?

Submitted by stumblin on Sat, 2009-06-06 - 12:40
I never knew what to call my condition for 13 years but after reading the definition of what constitutes the title of epileptic I fit in there as I have had dozens of breakthroughs though I was heavily medicated on pheno and dilantin.

Re: Does a seizure disorder = epilepsy?

Submitted by brents gurl on Sat, 2009-06-06 - 14:19

Hi...

I am brents gurl and I wanted to ask you some things about Brent.

Brent had a tonic clonic seizure one year and one month ago and then again 3 days ago, on wednesday. That is all of the seizures that he knows of. I have not heard about or read about someone that has seizures a year apart. Sometimes Brent gets real nervoius and sometimes over the top angry. When he had those seizures he wasnt either of those things but could they be related?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Hi...

I am brents gurl and I wanted to ask you some things about Brent.

Brent had a tonic clonic seizure one year and one month ago and then again 3 days ago, on wednesday. That is all of the seizures that he knows of. I have not heard about or read about someone that has seizures a year apart. Sometimes Brent gets real nervoius and sometimes over the top angry. When he had those seizures he wasnt either of those things but could they be related?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

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