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.

New to Epilepsy

Thu, 06/26/2014 - 01:16

Hi All!

I am 27 and female. I recently got diagnosed with partial complex focal seizures a few months ago by an abnormal eeg. I had been suffering from seizures for a year but did not know what it was. I have symptoms that I have read are normal; convulsing, forced controlled eyes, tingling in head, blacking out a lot, passing out, semi hallucinations (which I dont have anymore), automovements etc. 

But I am concerned about a few other symptoms I have not during a seizure; chest feeling really tired and out of sync with my head (disconnected). Body feeling really week sometimes where I will slur my words and feel as if I might pass out, about to pass out with physical activity, and sometimes my body just feels sickly. Is that normal to anyone? I know your central nervous system is located in your chest so do you think my body is just overworked and exahusted? It gets better with rest but I rest all day and want to be more active.

Another odd symptom: really low blood pressure. Anyone? A few times mine was 106/50

And the last odd symptom: Very vivid nightmares to where I feel as if I am there (lucid like) and I wake up with an eery feeling like I really experienced the nightmare but I am aware it did not happen. I know I have seizures while I sleep because I woke up with a sprained neck once. Im so scared. The doctors dont care. My family no longer cares and wont give me "any special treatment". I had to leave my job because of it a year ago but they would not give me disability because I didnt have a diagnosis yet and now that I do I am fighting for it. So no income and cannot work till im better. 

I just started Keppra 1000mg per day just a week and a half ago and it has been working well! I take lexipro that helps with the nightmares, I think because it makes my mind less active at night but I am far from depressed. The lexipro actually started making me feel depressed because it made me sleep 14hours and gain weight. 

To all those suffering with epilepsy: you are very strong, never give up!

 

Comments

There are many things that

Submitted by just_joe on Thu, 2014-06-26 - 13:23
There are many things that can happen in seizures and what you posted can land in different seizures.  Focal seizures can be partial. simple partial, complex partial and they can generalize. So many of the things you posted land in several of these seizures. I know because I have ahd grand mal, petite mal and focal motor epilepsy. My diagnosis was before they came up with types. Now as for kepprait is the best medications I have ever used, It not only reduced the number of seizures but it also shortened the time in the seizaure and the time to focus (get back to normal). Generally your neurologist will want you to come back after a month or 2. He wants to see how the medication is doing and at that time see if you are having any of the side effects. That time would also be when he adjusts your dosages.I currently take 4500mg a day so what you are taking is still a low dosage. My seizures used to be 2-8 minutes long and the time to get back to noormal was 15-45 minutes and at times I left work and went home to crash. Let your doctors (all og them) know every medication you take. I say that becasue some medications can counter other medications. The doctors dont care.  As for lexipro  To make sure Lexapro is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • diabetes;
  • heart disease;
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
  • a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
 Which doctor prescribed this medication for you???  
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • diabetes;
  • heart disease;
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
  • a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
 Which doctor prescribed this medication for you???  

A seizure drains energy out

Submitted by just_joe on Thu, 2014-06-26 - 13:23
A seizure drains energy out of your body so yes you will be tired after seizures and by having that many it takes longer to get that energy back. If you have back to back seizures the next time you visit your neurologist ask about a rcovery seizure. Back to back seizures could be cluster seizures and a recovery medication stops them. I take keppra and have clusters srom time to tims after the second seizure I take my recovery medication and the clusters stop. They do drain energy and if they stop after having 5-8 the time it takes to focus is longer and at times I lay down for over an hour..

There are many things that

Submitted by just_joe on Thu, 2014-06-26 - 13:23
There are many things that can happen in seizures and what you posted can land in different seizures.  Focal seizures can be partial. simple partial, complex partial and they can generalize. So many of the things you posted land in several of these seizures. I know because I have ahd grand mal, petite mal and focal motor epilepsy. My diagnosis was before they came up with types. Now as for kepprait is the best medications I have ever used, It not only reduced the number of seizures but it also shortened the time in the seizaure and the time to focus (get back to normal). Generally your neurologist will want you to come back after a month or 2. He wants to see how the medication is doing and at that time see if you are having any of the side effects. That time would also be when he adjusts your dosages.I currently take 4500mg a day so what you are taking is still a low dosage. My seizures used to be 2-8 minutes long and the time to get back to noormal was 15-45 minutes and at times I left work and went home to crash. Let your doctors (all og them) know every medication you take. I say that becasue some medications can counter other medications. The doctors dont care.  As for lexipro  To make sure Lexapro is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • diabetes;
  • heart disease;
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
  • a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
 Which doctor prescribed this medication for you???  
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • seizures or epilepsy;
  • diabetes;
  • heart disease;
  • bipolar disorder (manic depression); or
  • a history of drug abuse or suicidal thoughts.
 Which doctor prescribed this medication for you???  

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.