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do I really need to treat partial complex?
Thu, 09/28/2006 - 19:35Topic: New to Epilepsy.com
Hi, I am looking for some opinions as my neuro evaded this question. I was diagnosed with partial complex seizures, fronto-temporal lobe epilepsy. I have only had 2 seizures during the daytime in the last year. I may have had a few at night because I woke up biting my tongue. My neuro says I may not know when I am having a seizure. Is that right? Do I need to treat it if it doesn't bother me? I miss driving but it's not a huge factor. I have tried 2 meds and been allergic. I am honestly afraid to try more as they affected my breathing. I also have memory problems. Forgetting words, call my kids the wrong names, even forget I am cooking lately. Will this get better with meds? Can it get worse if I don't use meds? Does anyone know if having epilepsy is common? I am wondering how much experience my neuro has with this as he never answers a single question. I am wondering if maybe he may not have many patients with it, although from what I read, epilepsy is not that uncommon. Any answers would be great. Plus, if I take the meds, how do they know when you can drive safely again? Thanks a lot for your help! Wendy
Comments
Re: Re: Re: do I really need to treat partial complex?
Submitted by Mark Janjigian on Fri, 2006-09-29 - 10:08
Most of the time, I don't realize I had a seizure. Generally, I argue and have to be convinced that I've had one. Until I got married, I didn't realize how many I had in my sleep. I'd feel lousy the next day, but just write it off as fatigue.
Like you, I've had a few while driving. Do what you can to curb them though. Too much can happen while your body is on auto-pilot. I've found myself on the field at Yankee Stadium, brushing my teeth with a razor blade, naked in my office ...
The meds suck, but so does losing control.
Hi Wendy, I'm one of the
Submitted by solis on Fri, 2006-09-29 - 15:02
Hi Wendy,
I'm one of the antiques here and have had simple and complex partials since I was three. When I was a child there was no Internet, I was never told anything about my seizures, and was treated as though I had none.
No wonder I was a rebellious adolescent.
Last year, two months after being in the hospital for 5 days being tested for surgery I went to see the specialist. It was then that I first learned I'd had 11 seizures while in the hospital and I had remembered NONE.
I DO remember nurses coming and asking me where I was; what city I was in; etc, but I had no recollection of any seizure. I just wished the stupid nurses would write down my answers so they didn't have to ask me the same questions.
I had sugery last January and one thing I've noticed since is that days seem FAR longer. Now I believe I was having far more seizures than I ever realized.
I'd suggest that would be a good way to gauge if you are having seizures.
~sol
Re: Re: do I really need to treat partial complex?
Submitted by wendy girl on Thu, 2006-09-28 - 21:01
Thanks for your help. I guess I will keep trying. It's all so new, and I guess I wasn't sure if it was really a big deal or not. Maybe I am having more seizures than I thought because my memory has slowly declined and now I am even starting to stutter.
I try to figure out what is a seizure but I am kindof stumped. I think I only really feel sure if it's very obvious like the 3 I know I had, but I do know I wake up in my sleep biting myself or having a full blown attack of some sort. From reading the posts, I thought people with E were always aware they were having one.
If I am unaware of having seizures, will I know when they are controlled? I was worried about that. What if I think I can drive but did not know I had a seizure? Is there any way the dr checks? I had 2 while driving and thank God I didn't have an accident but came close. So now I am worried about driving even if they say I can.
I am glad you wrote. From the posts, I realize I just need to keep trying and I am going to find a better dr! Wendy
Hi Heather,
Thanks for your help. I guess I will keep trying. It's all so new, and I guess I wasn't sure if it was really a big deal or not. Maybe I am having more seizures than I thought because my memory has slowly declined and now I am even starting to stutter.
I try to figure out what is a seizure but I am kindof stumped. I think I only really feel sure if it's very obvious like the 3 I know I had, but I do know I wake up in my sleep biting myself or having a full blown attack of some sort. From reading the posts, I thought people with E were always aware they were having one.
If I am unaware of having seizures, will I know when they are controlled? I was worried about that. What if I think I can drive but did not know I had a seizure? Is there any way the dr checks? I had 2 while driving and thank God I didn't have an accident but came close. So now I am worried about driving even if they say I can.
I am glad you wrote. From the posts, I realize I just need to keep trying and I am going to find a better dr! Wendy