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Back-to-back seizures

Wed, 09/29/2010 - 23:25
I started a thread about myoclonic jerks a few minutes ago as well; perhaps it is related to what I am saying in this next post: Today I had 3 back-to-back seizures inside of an hour. My sz are partials that can secondarily generalize, and when they generalize I don't lose consciousness, but will feel out-of-it along with varying degrees of fatigue for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. So during today's sz I'd barely recovered from one, then another would hit. I was scared, because shortly after my seizures first started 4 months ago (and before I was medicated) I was in status E. and ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks and on IV dilantin for 5 or so days. Except for lingering fatigue and tension/electricity in my lower back. butt and head/neck, this current "event" has long since stopped. Is this back-to-back "event" a form of status E.? Has anyone else had back-to-back seizures? If so, what was the explanation you were given for what was going on?? Thanks for any help.

Comments

Re: Back-to-back seizures

Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Thu, 2010-09-30 - 08:35

I think what you're experiencing is cluster seizures.

Here's what Orrin Devinsky, MD --  Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University has to say:

"Early recognition of seizure clusters is critical because therapy can be given to prevent the cluster or limit its severity. Among patients with difficult-to-control complex partial seizures, those with seizure clusters are more prone to prolonged seizures (status epilepticus). When clusters involve moderate to strong seizures that are numerous or occur over a short interval, the seizures are likely to be followed by a more prolonged postictal state of tiredness, confusion, and possibly other problems such as weakness or depression. Diastat (a seizure medicine given by rectum) or Ativan (given under the tongue or swallowed) are treatments that are often used to stop clusters. "

When was the last time you were at the neurologist?  Do these clusters occur anywhere near your menstrual cycles?  (Those crazy hormones!)

Why don't you try to keep a daily seizure diary: noting your sleeping patterns, what you eat, your activities, any emotional upsets, the time of your period, how you feel before (auras?) your seizures, during and after, plus the duration of the seizures.

This could help the doc get a better idea of what you're going through and recommend testing or a change in meds.

Please make an appointmemt NOW... Good luck to you.  Let us know how you do.     Phylis Feiner Johnson   www.epilepsytalk.com

I think what you're experiencing is cluster seizures.

Here's what Orrin Devinsky, MD --  Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University has to say:

"Early recognition of seizure clusters is critical because therapy can be given to prevent the cluster or limit its severity. Among patients with difficult-to-control complex partial seizures, those with seizure clusters are more prone to prolonged seizures (status epilepticus). When clusters involve moderate to strong seizures that are numerous or occur over a short interval, the seizures are likely to be followed by a more prolonged postictal state of tiredness, confusion, and possibly other problems such as weakness or depression. Diastat (a seizure medicine given by rectum) or Ativan (given under the tongue or swallowed) are treatments that are often used to stop clusters. "

When was the last time you were at the neurologist?  Do these clusters occur anywhere near your menstrual cycles?  (Those crazy hormones!)

Why don't you try to keep a daily seizure diary: noting your sleeping patterns, what you eat, your activities, any emotional upsets, the time of your period, how you feel before (auras?) your seizures, during and after, plus the duration of the seizures.

This could help the doc get a better idea of what you're going through and recommend testing or a change in meds.

Please make an appointmemt NOW... Good luck to you.  Let us know how you do.     Phylis Feiner Johnson   www.epilepsytalk.com

Re: Back-to-back seizures

Submitted by stanrainbolt@live.com on Thu, 2010-09-30 - 13:14

Thanks Phylis,

By your verbage you must be a doc.  Thanks for taking the time to write.  Cluster seizures.  Heard of them but thank God I had never had to deal with them before.  Ha, I am male so my mentral stuff probably does not factor in here.  Big tough men are not SUPPOSED to scare easy, but Mon&Tues had me begging God to make the seizures stop.  I need to keep Dr Daseiff updated, work on relieving the stress and all this recent seizure activity will fade away.

Again, thanks for caring.  God bless you and yours, Stan

Thanks Phylis,

By your verbage you must be a doc.  Thanks for taking the time to write.  Cluster seizures.  Heard of them but thank God I had never had to deal with them before.  Ha, I am male so my mentral stuff probably does not factor in here.  Big tough men are not SUPPOSED to scare easy, but Mon&Tues had me begging God to make the seizures stop.  I need to keep Dr Daseiff updated, work on relieving the stress and all this recent seizure activity will fade away.

Again, thanks for caring.  God bless you and yours, Stan

Re: Back-to-back seizures

Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Thu, 2010-09-30 - 14:03

Whoops!  Pardon the menstrual part. (LOL!)

Nope, I'm not a doc, just a normal mortal who wrote copy about health & wellness for 12 years.  So, I've got pretty good researching skills.  Sometimes it takes a lot of time to find some kind of answer...sometimes I never succeed.  But I do try to help...that's what I'm here for.

Good luck!    Phylis Feiner Johnson   www.epilepsytalk.com

Whoops!  Pardon the menstrual part. (LOL!)

Nope, I'm not a doc, just a normal mortal who wrote copy about health & wellness for 12 years.  So, I've got pretty good researching skills.  Sometimes it takes a lot of time to find some kind of answer...sometimes I never succeed.  But I do try to help...that's what I'm here for.

Good luck!    Phylis Feiner Johnson   www.epilepsytalk.com

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