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.

How long do YOU feel strange after a seizure?

Tue, 03/27/2012 - 23:32
I figured I would share my situation and how I am feeling with people who hopefully can relate, because I am a bit scared currently. I had my first seizure some 8 years ago and have been dealing with them ever since. I always have felt slightly strange after a seizure maybe 3 or 4 days after as though my head has released all kinds of memories and I am just sifting through them all and regaining my present self. I went seizure free for two years and thought maybe I had tamed this beast. Of course epilepsy wont go away that easily and I recently had two seizures over the course of 3 weeks. It has been about a week since the last one, and that feeling of released memories and vibes from the past has become overwhelming and I cannot seem to get back to feeling normal. I am very anxious, bouts of depression have been frequent, and nothing seems to make me feel normal, and I am getting scared that I never will feel so again. I am not sure what has happened, I just want to share this with you all and hope that somebody else can relate and let me know they have gone through this and come out ok in the end. Or maybe it is a personal demon I must combat. The question is posed for everybody, how long does it take you personally to start feeling normal again? Thank you.

Comments

Re: How long do YOU feel strange after a seizure?

Submitted by tcameron on Tue, 2012-04-24 - 00:11

I didn't know that tegretol causes cancer after long-term use.  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if a lot of different AEDs cause cancer.  Did you hear what kind of cancer?  I've been taking AEDs ever since 1976.  I've tried almost all of them.  I usually always take 3 or 4 different AEDs together, because my seizures are refractory, and I fall down.

Here's the interesting thing:  I was just diagnosed with Stage 1 Kidney Cancer!  Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if my AEDs caused it.  Fortunately, I had an xray, due to a fall on my back (seizure).  While examining my spine for any hairline cracks, my epileptologist noticed a small calcification on my kidney.  He referred me to the cancer ctr.  It WAS malignant.  Of course, I had it removed ASAP.  I'm fine, and extremely fortunate that it was caught in the 1st stage.  (According to my oncologist, the only way it's ever caught in Stage 1 is by accident.)

 

I didn't know that tegretol causes cancer after long-term use.  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if a lot of different AEDs cause cancer.  Did you hear what kind of cancer?  I've been taking AEDs ever since 1976.  I've tried almost all of them.  I usually always take 3 or 4 different AEDs together, because my seizures are refractory, and I fall down.

Here's the interesting thing:  I was just diagnosed with Stage 1 Kidney Cancer!  Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if my AEDs caused it.  Fortunately, I had an xray, due to a fall on my back (seizure).  While examining my spine for any hairline cracks, my epileptologist noticed a small calcification on my kidney.  He referred me to the cancer ctr.  It WAS malignant.  Of course, I had it removed ASAP.  I'm fine, and extremely fortunate that it was caught in the 1st stage.  (According to my oncologist, the only way it's ever caught in Stage 1 is by accident.)

 

Re: How long do YOU feel strange after a seizure?

Submitted by endinsight on Tue, 2012-04-24 - 08:41
       Not to brag or complain, but I have been taking seizure drugs since 1961. I remember very well when 30 years later in 1991, a doctor I had thought my condition was not seizure related at all that I was taking medicines that was not helping a condition at all because he thought my auras were from esophagus reflux, which made sense when I felt an aura during his visit time and he listened to my stomach areas. So after a while I asked if I could go off of the phenobrbital I was taking and he said YES but do it slow, and not cold turkey. So from April of 1990, to Febuary 1991, I felt the best ever when I had NO grand mals and very little auras until I lost my job in February 1991 when my 3rd grand mal happened from the STRESS of losing my job. Needless to say I never felt like I did in those 10 months as I hope soon I can be another 20 years like I was between my 2nd & 3rd grand mals, or never have a grand mal seizure ever. We all should realize that epilepsy is the number 1 condition that doctors love to say there is no cure for which medicines have to be taken until death. Personally I would rather die from a natural cause with out any drug causing some long term condition in a few years or 20 years later that might never have happened if I never took the medicine. So if I can go off lamictal now in a few months, I will do it after I tell my doctor what I did in the last 30 days and how I am sleeping much better just taking only 25 mgs of it compared to taking 50mgs. Remember taking all these medicines has chemicals in them that the brain does not make naturally. Why would any of us want to take a drug that is to help ??? our seizure activity??? really , while they only confuse the natural brain activity of the normality it tries to do, but we have some drugs we have to take to confuse our brain more & more 24/7.  It's been that way for me for over 45 years or more when I was made aware of why I am taking medicines. One thing I do agree with my doctor is he believes the less seizure drug MGS, and drugs you need the better of you are. Now if I only get him to understand that the FDA is wrong about MSG, Nitrates, Carrageenan, Yeast Extract, & other food additives that are killing some of our brains and have buried more innocent people than other things have done. It seems like that battle is a 1 man gang as nobody cares to listen to that. Any help with that would be appreciated but I know who has the final words, but that is not the final word. They will answer to a higher accountability.  

Re: How long do YOU feel strange after a seizure?

Submitted by tcameron on Tue, 2012-04-24 - 15:38

Reminds me when I was diagnosed.  I was given an AED Rx.  It didn't say, 'Take for xx weeks.' "How long do I take this?"  "You don't stop."  "Why do I keep taking this?  I was fine yesterday.  I'm just like everyone else.'  "You weren't fine!"  Yes, food additives are poisoning us.  Look in your kitchen:  Almost every food has additives!  Our AEDs are also poisoning us and confusing our brains.  (I heard, not from a med. pro., if you fed a child who never had a seizure AEDs for several years then suddenly stopped; she'd have a seizure!)  Medical science has come a long way, but there is a lot more to be learned. I'm only a patient. Does anyone really know?  The National Epilepsy Library might have more accurate info:  1-800-332-4050 x 2112, or nel@efa.org

Reminds me when I was diagnosed.  I was given an AED Rx.  It didn't say, 'Take for xx weeks.' "How long do I take this?"  "You don't stop."  "Why do I keep taking this?  I was fine yesterday.  I'm just like everyone else.'  "You weren't fine!"  Yes, food additives are poisoning us.  Look in your kitchen:  Almost every food has additives!  Our AEDs are also poisoning us and confusing our brains.  (I heard, not from a med. pro., if you fed a child who never had a seizure AEDs for several years then suddenly stopped; she'd have a seizure!)  Medical science has come a long way, but there is a lot more to be learned. I'm only a patient. Does anyone really know?  The National Epilepsy Library might have more accurate info:  1-800-332-4050 x 2112, or nel@efa.org

Sign Up for Emails

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