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Do you consider auras to be seizures

Mon, 12/06/2004 - 10:57
My husband had epilepsy and had surgery a little over two months ago. He has had auras on and off for the past two days, no seizures. However, when I called his doctors office the nurse said that auras are little seizures. I never heard that before and now am heartbroken because if I tell my husband that he will lose it. Has anyone else heard that before?Jackie

Comments

RE: Do you consider auras to be seizures

Submitted by monalisa on Tue, 2004-11-30 - 11:13

Jackie.

I'm sorry that you heard news like that instead of the good news that he was doing fine,or at least would be better after the surgery.If you read up on all you can that is on here ,and what you probably already have of your own,then you will be able to talk to your husband about this.That has to be when you judge the time is right,and includes talking to the nurse again to arrange that you both go in together, and talk to the one who really knows your husband better( treatment wise.)You will need to -if your husband is as you say in your post. Doing so will allow them to  guide you both through this and help you  through it.

Jackie.

I'm sorry that you heard news like that instead of the good news that he was doing fine,or at least would be better after the surgery.If you read up on all you can that is on here ,and what you probably already have of your own,then you will be able to talk to your husband about this.That has to be when you judge the time is right,and includes talking to the nurse again to arrange that you both go in together, and talk to the one who really knows your husband better( treatment wise.)You will need to -if your husband is as you say in your post. Doing so will allow them to  guide you both through this and help you  through it.

RE: Do you consider auras to be seizures

Submitted by gsness on Tue, 2004-11-30 - 13:14
I have also read that auras are “mini-seizures,” although I have forgotten the source of that information. However, it makes sense to me given the nature of many types of seizures. My most distinguishable aura is the appearance of everything in black and white, a complete loss of color vision. In any event, if your husband has identifiable auras, he may consider himself lucky in one sense. At least he has some indication before a more serious seizure evolves! (Time to lie down, stop driving, etc.) I also think that it is good idea to talk with your neuro and have it explained to you in a technically correct manner. Good luck and blessings to you both!~GSN~

RE: Do you consider auras to be seizures

Submitted by LeeMc on Wed, 2004-12-01 - 10:09

Lee here.  Yes an aura is a form of seizure.  It is often one we can function through and may or may not be a warning that something more sever is coming.  My auras were always just that - mild but unnerving.  They never were followed by anything else.  The big ones snuck up on me without any warning!

Definately check with your neuro on this.  If this is better then the seizures your husband had before then it does not mean that the surgery was a failure - it may just mean his brain is still healing or that there are some other areas that are affected - and maybe not ever noticed before.  At any rate - stay on top of it.

Auras come in many forms too.  Don't ignore anything odd that becomes repetitive.  They can be smells, vision related, just a feeling, sounds or any number of things.  Let the doc know about them all so he can help pin down their origin and help to find ways to cope - through meds or whatever.  If they are an improvement - be grateful for that.  Hey - I'll take auras (as much as they unnerve me) anyday over the grand mal types that I was having.  And it probably takes less meds to cope with them too!  Wishing you the best.....Lee

Lee here.  Yes an aura is a form of seizure.  It is often one we can function through and may or may not be a warning that something more sever is coming.  My auras were always just that - mild but unnerving.  They never were followed by anything else.  The big ones snuck up on me without any warning!

Definately check with your neuro on this.  If this is better then the seizures your husband had before then it does not mean that the surgery was a failure - it may just mean his brain is still healing or that there are some other areas that are affected - and maybe not ever noticed before.  At any rate - stay on top of it.

Auras come in many forms too.  Don't ignore anything odd that becomes repetitive.  They can be smells, vision related, just a feeling, sounds or any number of things.  Let the doc know about them all so he can help pin down their origin and help to find ways to cope - through meds or whatever.  If they are an improvement - be grateful for that.  Hey - I'll take auras (as much as they unnerve me) anyday over the grand mal types that I was having.  And it probably takes less meds to cope with them too!  Wishing you the best.....Lee

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