stress related seizures

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Has any one any information on stress related seizures.Has any one had them and what medications are you on with them.Any information will help

Comments

RE: stress related seizures

Submitted by Faecanuck on Sat, 2005-06-11 - 10:51

Hi Chips,I've got stress related seizures, and I'm not on any medication. It was found that anti-convulsants actually caused a reverse reaction with me. I find the best thing to do is when the aura hits to lay down and put my feet up (higher than my head) to help the blood flow to the brain, and also to have someone talk me through it has aided immeasurably in avoiding the actual seizures. I've had EEG's and MRI's and CT Scans... all came back perfectly normal. Stress is an unavoidable part of our lives, and all we can do is avoid as much as we can, and try to make the rest as little as possible. The impossible dream is a stress free existence.

RE: RE: stress related seizures

Submitted by Mallie on Sat, 2005-06-11 - 22:17

Hello, I had my first seizure when I was a child, but, stress glaore going on. My Father was in the hospital, and plus Christmas Time. They ran every test in the "book" and I came out as "nortmal". I was seizure free until years later, I was going through a rough divorce, and depression. I had three seizures in one summer and the third one almost killed me. I was driving to lunch and had a head on collision-lucky to be alive. Now, more confusing, 17 years go by and no seizures. Then, out of the blue I have a Grand Mal at night in my bed. I was stressed again to the max, and it took me almost all night to go to sleep. When I did, I awoke to Paramedics in my bedroom and I was going, "DO WHAT"? Again, no seizures until 6 years later, which brings me up to date: I had a seizure, petit mal, Thursday, I am MEGA Stressed with family issues, etc etc. My biggest question is: What do I do? I can't run around life in a constanct panic attack that I may have a seizure. I have no warnings. Is there a drug that can lower my "stress" and hold the random seizures at bay?I would appreciate any information-this is not a comfortable way to live, panic attacks in re: afraid of a seizure. Thank you so much, Mallie

RE: RE: RE: stress related seizures

Submitted by laughinglion on Sun, 2005-06-12 - 13:03

Ã have had a seizure disorder for 8 years after having a CVA (stroke). Just weeks ago I went to an epilepsy center for 8 days of video EEG testing. Although they could not find a focus from the CVA they did dx: PNES - psychogenic seizures. I am told that this is now edemic. Interestingly, when the neurologist told me that these seizures would not generalize I practically stopped having them! Talk about mind over matter. Perhaps, I did loose much of my fear. I still must take anticonvulsants because I still do have that old damage. Seems like it takes a low dilantin level plus my period to make me flop like a fish. I am med compliant -- there is nothing worse than ending up in ICU in status. At first doctors gave me a low dose of Ativan BID but the epilepsy center said this was the drug of choice used in an emergerency seizure situation and would not work as well then. My doctor prescribed Clonapin BID instead of the Ativan when I told him the additional diagnosis. ( They also told me the CVA was caused by an AVM - a malformation of blood vessels in the brain. ) Apparently, there are a lot of epilepsy patients (10 to 50 percent) that also have nonepileptic seizures. I have been referred to a psychiatrist for this. One thing I noticed from the start as I kept a seizure log: With psychogenic or nonepileptic seizures, I could hear those around me and even obey commands-- Like I could put my foot down during the seizure while lying in bed. This would in effect work through the seizure and abate it. Of coure with a true epileptic seizure it is impossible to respond to a command until the seizure is over. Psychogenic seizures fortunately do not cause brain damage so there is not the memory loss associated with true epileptiform seizures. Treating triggers must be a big part of the battle, eh? I do feel empowered. I am in control again. I was having one to four of these "partials" daily or atleast every few days. The video EEG test was grueling but worth it!!! Now I know. The battle has been won. laughinglion

Ã have had a seizure disorder for 8 years after having a CVA (stroke).  Just weeks ago I went to an epilepsy center for 8 days of video EEG testing.  Although they could not find a focus from the CVA they did dx: PNES - psychogenic seizures.  I am told that this is now edemic.  Interestingly, when the neurologist told me that these seizures would not generalize I practically stopped having them!  Talk about mind over matter.  <strong>Perhaps, I did loose much of my fear. </strong> I still must take anticonvulsants because I still do have that old damage.  Seems like it takes a low dilantin level plus my period to make me flop like a fish.  I am med compliant -- there is nothing worse than ending up in ICU in status.  At first doctors gave me a low dose of Ativan BID but the epilepsy center said this was the drug of choice used in an emergerency seizure situation and would not work as well then.   My doctor prescribed Clonapin BID instead of the Ativan when I told him the additional diagnosis. ( They also told me the CVA was caused by an AVM - a malformation of blood vessels in the brain. )  Apparently, there are a lot of epilepsy patients (10 to 50 percent) that also have nonepileptic seizures.  I have been referred to a psychiatrist for this.  One thing I noticed from the start as I kept a seizure log:  With psychogenic or nonepileptic seizures, I could hear those around me and even obey commands-- Like I could put my foot down during the seizure while lying in bed. This would in effect work through the seizure and abate it.  Of coure with a true epileptic seizure it is impossible to respond to a command until the seizure is over.  Psychogenic seizures fortunately do not cause brain damage so there is not the memory loss associated with true epileptiform seizures.  Treating triggers must be a big part of the battle, eh? I do feel empowered. I am in control again.  I was having one to four of these "partials" daily or atleast every few days.  The video EEG test was grueling but worth it!!!  Now I know.  The battle has been won.  laughinglion

Ã have had a seizure disorder for 8 years after having a CVA (stroke). Just weeks ago I went to an epilepsy center for 8 days of video EEG testing. Although they could not find a focus from the CVA they did dx: PNES - psychogenic seizures. I am told that this is now edemic. Interestingly, when the neurologist told me that these seizures would not generalize I practically stopped having them! Talk about mind over matter. Perhaps, I did loose much of my fear. I still must take anticonvulsants because I still do have that old damage. Seems like it takes a low dilantin level plus my period to make me flop like a fish. I am med compliant -- there is nothing worse than ending up in ICU in status. At first doctors gave me a low dose of Ativan BID but the epilepsy center said this was the drug of choice used in an emergerency seizure situation and would not work as well then. My doctor prescribed Clonapin BID instead of the Ativan when I told him the additional diagnosis. ( They also told me the CVA was caused by an AVM - a malformation of blood vessels in the brain. ) Apparently, there are a lot of epilepsy patients (10 to 50 percent) that also have nonepileptic seizures. I have been referred to a psychiatrist for this. One thing I noticed from the start as I kept a seizure log: With psychogenic or nonepileptic seizures, I could hear those around me and even obey commands-- Like I could put my foot down during the seizure while lying in bed. This would in effect work through the seizure and abate it. Of coure with a true epileptic seizure it is impossible to respond to a command until the seizure is over. Psychogenic seizures fortunately do not cause brain damage so there is not the memory loss associated with true epileptiform seizures. Treating triggers must be a big part of the battle, eh? I do feel empowered. I am in control again. I was having one to four of these "partials" daily or atleast every few days. The video EEG test was grueling but worth it!!! Now I know. The battle has been won. laughinglion