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26 Year Old Healthy Male developing epilepsy
Tue, 11/23/2010 - 10:39I am a 26 Year old male that had my first seizure in March 2010. I was an overall healthy person who worked out regurally and had a healthy diet. I have been on and off of anxiety medications since i was a teenager for for dealing with generalized anxiety. I work night shift in Law Enforcement and was never affected by strobing lights or lack of sleep. This is my story, suggestions and comments are welcome.
My first seizure happened March 28 2010 at 10pm. I was just going to sleep and let out a deep groan, began shaking and my eyes rolled back. My left arm then shot up and my body stiffened and i convulsed for a couple of minutes. My body then relaxed and i was covered in sweat. I was in a deep sleep for about 30 minutes. When I awoke, my left arm was in severe pain, and I had no recollection of what happened. AN EEG showed right frontal lobe activity and the MRI was normal. I was put on Trileptal 300mg 2X daily.
I had been taking Venlaflaxine for about a year( August 09-March10) and eventually weaned myself off of it completely before my 26th birthday March 26, 2010 because I didn’t feel I needed it anymore. I had a party on my birthday and consumed a large quantity of alcohol prior to the first seizure.
I did not have any further issues with epilepsy and on July 1st, I was prescribed a daily pill of Effexor XR 75MG capsules for anxiety due to an upcoming wedding. On July 18th,I had my second seizure and it has been monthly thereafter.
I have since been taken off of Effexor XR and had terrible withdrawl symptoms and have read about others having seizures due to Effexor.
As of today I have had 8 seizures, i am now on 1000mg of generic Keppra and 150mg of Trileptal both twice daily. I have dislocated my left shoulder twice due to the convulsions and now need orthopedic surgery.
Has anyone had similar reactions to Effexor XR? Any other thoughts and insights are welcome.
Comments
Re: 26 Year Old Healthy Male developing epilepsy
Submitted by juliza on Tue, 2011-02-15 - 17:07
Hi,
I am sorry that you are having such trouble with your seizures and would advise you to find Epileptoligist who SPECIALIZES in Epilepsy. This is important as most folks with Epilepsy only see a Neurologist who deals with a multitude of brain issues. I am 42 years old and have had seizures since 2nd grade. I have just been to my FIRST Epileptoligist and feel that I am FINALLY getting some really advice to better my future. How are you feeling on the Keppra? I found that I got extremely depressed on it but it really works for some people so stick with it if you are unaffected by those types of side effects. I bet that it is very difficult to be diagnosed as an adult with Epilepsy. When you have grown up with it, it's just a part of who you are. I had a car accident a year ago and haven't been driving. That has been SOOOO hard as I am a mother and wife and need to have my independance back! I have to be seizure free for 3 months and have seizures around my menstrual cycle. My seizures got more frequent at age 40 so not safe to be on the road until I get them under control again but it really stinks!
Hi,
I am sorry that you are having such trouble with your seizures and would advise you to find Epileptoligist who SPECIALIZES in Epilepsy. This is important as most folks with Epilepsy only see a Neurologist who deals with a multitude of brain issues. I am 42 years old and have had seizures since 2nd grade. I have just been to my FIRST Epileptoligist and feel that I am FINALLY getting some really advice to better my future. How are you feeling on the Keppra? I found that I got extremely depressed on it but it really works for some people so stick with it if you are unaffected by those types of side effects. I bet that it is very difficult to be diagnosed as an adult with Epilepsy. When you have grown up with it, it's just a part of who you are. I had a car accident a year ago and haven't been driving. That has been SOOOO hard as I am a mother and wife and need to have my independance back! I have to be seizure free for 3 months and have seizures around my menstrual cycle. My seizures got more frequent at age 40 so not safe to be on the road until I get them under control again but it really stinks!
Re: 26 Year Old Healthy Male developing epilepsy
Submitted by mscoulte on Tue, 2011-02-15 - 14:03
My husband had his first seizure in May 2010. He has had 4 since then and no apparent cause for any of them. He has them coming out of sleep between 6a-10a and always on the weekend? He also convulses violently, but no dislocation thus far. Did someone see your first one?