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Does Epilepsy Get Worse With Aging?

Fri, 03/19/2010 - 01:29
Hi All, First, I should explain that I have been diagnosed nearly twenty years ago with JME, and that it originates in my Occipital Lobe. I experience tonic-clonic, myoclonic jerks, as well as absence seizures. I stopped taking my medications regularly in October last year - and about a month ago - actually, yes - exactly a month ago, had a tonic-clonic. I will not be skipping out on meds because they're expensive anymore. Since I've recovered, and by now my meds are up to level - I am still having myoclonic jerks as well as some issues with my eyes (my doc, who is one of the best - thinks they are likely myoclonic jerks in my eyes due to the occipital lobe origin of my epilepsy). So we've upped the ante and I'm now taking an extra dose of the meds. I went from taking 100mg Zonisamide + .5mg Klonopin in morning and at bedtime (worked like a charm for YEARS) - to now having to add a midday dose of 100mg Zonisamide. It's only been two days of the extra dose. Today, I experienced my first myoclonic jerk in my right hand ever (and they've been happening there the better part of the day) - they always happen on the left. Then in the afternoon, I had a weird visualization (like when you rub your eyes and see bright floaters) of bright lines and shapes - all the while smelling something yucky. I couldn't shake the vision and at the same time I was aware of my surroundings - but having my eyes open was "painful". I'm just wondering if this was a seizure? And why the hell am I having more now than ever? I used to be a serious party girl - you would think I would have had them then?! Does anyone know - as we age can/should we expect our epilepsy to get worse/decline - seizures to escalate or move to other parts of the brain? Thanks for any stories/info you can share! Tara

Comments

Re: Does Epilepsy Get Worse With Aging?

Submitted by lgarcianc on Fri, 2011-07-29 - 07:21
I also have jme. I was diagnosed when I was 15. I'm now 30 and I think that mine seems to be getting worse too. I'm currently on Lamictal 300 mgs 2 x a day. Sometimes the vision in my left eye only looks like the room is moving up and down rapidly and I end up having to crawl on the floor to get around my house. But if I close my left eye I can see out of the right one just fine. I'm also having twitching and jerking in my legs and arms when I'm trying to fall asleep. It also at times feels like there is and electric shock going through my body. It wasn't this bad when I was first diagnosed and this all started within the last year. If anyone else knows why I might be going through this please let me know. I really think that my epilepsy is getting worse.

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