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Seizure or spell?
Thu, 07/12/2012 - 10:00Ok..I am 62 yrs old. I started having seizures around Sept-Oct 2010. After wearing an ambulatory EEG for 3 days, the neuro said there was a lot of activity in the frontal lobes. He diagnosed Complex Partial seizures. I don't remember the meds he gave me but I was still having seizures. After a few months I changed to a different neurologist and after another 3 day ambulatory, he saw no activity. He started me on zonagram.. still having seizures. Changed to Topamax (really? I'm suppose to function on this med.) He started another med..don't remember but I have info somewhere. Now I'm on Lamictal and clonazepam. I also take Lyrica.
After all the above information..this is my typical "spell" I can feel the "buzz" coming on. My head drops and I'm unable to move. I can hear and know what is going on but not able to respond. This goes on from 5 mins to 45 mins. Afterwards, I have a headache and go to sleep for 3-5 hours. The next day you would think I was intoxicated and that usually last one or two days. Dr finally gave up and set up an appointment with a seizure specialist at Emory which is about 2 week away. Usually I have these right after month end close out where I work 10 & 12 hour days for about 4 days. Now I'm extremely worried about my job. I have been working from home since Oct 2010 and now out of the blue they want me to come into the office. Really?? I can't drive but they want me in the office? After I email the letter regarding the appt with specialist they decided to wait until after the July appt. Guess they didn't believe I was still having seizures. Now they are coming more and I'm sure it's from the stress regarding work. They have no empathy of what I am going through. They do for others who are going thru chemo or another worker with lupus but me... no concern, no trust, no understanding. I also apologize for length of this post. Are these real seizures or spells or body and brain shutting down?
Dotti
Re: Seizure or spell?
Submitted by tonialpha on Fri, 2012-07-13 - 23:34
I found eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and daily 20 min. walks! Making sure none of the medications haven't created any problems. My b vitamins were off. I also had Osteoporosis from taking medications for a long period of time. Asthma along w/ other problems. Seizure activity can be tangled but with a patient Neurology team, you will get your answer. It took a long time for me but I have confidence in them.
Having a full work up. One work up I found out I did not have enough sodium in my system and that was causing my seizures. Something simple, which can be major. I suddenly had asthma and had no idea I had other medical ailments. It is wise to have a good work up. I have had multiple in my life because my seizures changed. Now I know what caused them. A birth defect.
I have had been hospitalized many times in my life where I thought I knew what was wrong. I was wrong the blood tests indicated something else. The EEG indicated something else. A normal EEG doesn't always mean a non-seizure patient. The focus wasn't evidenced or it is deep in the brain. An abnormal EEG doesn't mean an abn. patient unless the patient has symptoms.
Having working in the field I have seen a lot of interesting abnormalities. Each were interesting and each were different. I can see why it is a challenge for Neurologist. It is like reading handwriting. Generally you understand it but sometimes there is something interesting w/ each patient.
I wish you the best.
I found eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and daily 20 min. walks! Making sure none of the medications haven't created any problems. My b vitamins were off. I also had Osteoporosis from taking medications for a long period of time. Asthma along w/ other problems. Seizure activity can be tangled but with a patient Neurology team, you will get your answer. It took a long time for me but I have confidence in them.
Having a full work up. One work up I found out I did not have enough sodium in my system and that was causing my seizures. Something simple, which can be major. I suddenly had asthma and had no idea I had other medical ailments. It is wise to have a good work up. I have had multiple in my life because my seizures changed. Now I know what caused them. A birth defect.
I have had been hospitalized many times in my life where I thought I knew what was wrong. I was wrong the blood tests indicated something else. The EEG indicated something else. A normal EEG doesn't always mean a non-seizure patient. The focus wasn't evidenced or it is deep in the brain. An abnormal EEG doesn't mean an abn. patient unless the patient has symptoms.
Having working in the field I have seen a lot of interesting abnormalities. Each were interesting and each were different. I can see why it is a challenge for Neurologist. It is like reading handwriting. Generally you understand it but sometimes there is something interesting w/ each patient.
I wish you the best.