Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Please help me help my husband
Mon, 03/05/2012 - 08:56Topic: Family & Friends
My husband had his first tonic clonic seizure in March of last year. It was determined that he has epilespy and probably has had it his entire life. Prior to the big one, he suffered from anywhere from 4 to 10 auras a day (he'd smell smoke where there was none). He started on Zonisamide which turned him into a zombie. Then he went to lamactal. He tritrated up to the full dose and was on a full dose for almost a month when he broke out in blisters on his thigh. He's been on Keppra since.
Yesterday, I asked him if he still got the auras and he said he did. I asked how often and he was avoiding the question. Every now and then, only when I'm really stressed or not enough sleep. He wouldn't tell me how many he's been having. He's had 2 car accidents within 2 months of each other (he's never had accidents) both were his fault. I'm worried that it is all tied together. I also worry that he's going to have another tonic clonic seizure when driving or alone with our son (who witnessed the first seizure and was incredibly traumatized by the event).
So... I guess my questions is... is it normal to have auras when you are on seizure medication? Is he at risk for having another big seizure if he's having break through auras?
Since he won't listen to me, I was hoping maybe he'd listen to you folks :)
Thank you!
Re: Please help me help my husband
Submitted by Jimsun on Wed, 2012-03-07 - 16:27
Hi Foxxywife - I hope you & your husband are well. Please be assured (if that's the right expression) that the auras you speak of are quite usual. I was first diagnosed in the late 1990's & later suffered a brain injury causing me to have Sz types right across the board from simple absences @ one end to Status Epilepticus @ the other where I need Midazolam quickly & have a 40 minute "Golden Time" to reach a hospital (usually thrown on the back seat of a police car!). I too smell smoke & with a Partial Sz I see flashlights, like having a torch switched on & off before my eyes. In. GM Sz I see traffic lights of all colours of the spectrum. I also invariably hear a sound like that made by a helicopter's rotars revolving. I've had E in it's various forms so long that I view the aura as my personal early warning system allowing me vital minutes to get out of danger, sit or lie down to prepare for the Sz. I can't do anything about it but at least I can be safe until I pull round. Not having a driving licence is no problem as I just train/bus/plane my journeys now & with work I take a laptop & can work en route to my destination. My E is now an inconvenient partner & I've merely adapted myself around it - which doesn't really affect my job which bounces me around Europe @ least 2x weekly hence I'm writing to you on my iPod en route from Amsterdam to Hannover. Like me you just have to refuse to let this bloody 'condition' win!! Best wishes; J. "Even monkeys fall from trees"!