New here.. Not sure of diagnosis.

CDC funded page

Not a CDC funded Page

Hi everyone, On January 29th, 2007 my husband found me having a tonic clonic seizure before he left for work. I had been sleeping and I woke up to him telling me that we had to go to the ER and that I had had a seizure. I thought he was crazy. I finally snapped out of it and realized I had bit my tounge and my whole body ached. Other then having 2 febrile seizures when I was younger, this is the first seizure I have had since (im 29). So far the CT and MRI scans came back normal. According to the neourologist, the EEG came back as abnormal showing epileptic spikes. Does this mean it is a diagnosis of epilepsy? I know its a dumb question but I was shocked that the EEG came back abnormal and I didnt ask. So I honesly dont know if I have epilepsy. I feel weird calling the doctors office to ask but I know I eventually will. What do you guys think? is one seizure and an abnormal EEG enough to diagnose eplilepsy? Other then that things have started off rough. I ended up with the Lamictal (seizure medicine) rash. It was pretty bad. So they have now changed me to Keppra. So far so good on that one. Well, I guess that is it. The only thing im nervous about is having another seizure and being home alone with my kids (11,5 and 2). Not being able to drive for 3 months insnt too much fun either. Thanks Heather

Comments

Hello pices78, I had my

Submitted by buttrflywinks07 on Fri, 2007-02-16 - 14:53

Hello pices78, I had my first seizure, well the first one that has been determined, on December 13,2006. I also was asleep and awoken by my husband, although I was unaware of anything, I was transported to the hospital and blood work was done, a Ct, a Spinal tap, xrays, and whatever else they did, I don't remember most of it, I was unable to talk, I just stared into space from what I have been told. My body was very sore for a good week, I had a major migraine but they gave me some medicine for that intravenously at the hospital, all my tests came back normal so they released me to go see a neurologist and I am restricted from driving for 6 months here in Oklahoma, my neurologist had me do an MRI and an EEG which both came back normal, he really wanted me to start on Keppra but I didn't want to so he had me do a sleep deprivation digital EEG, which I just got the results for that on Feb 10, 07. The results stated that I have epileptic appearing changes in the temporal regions with it being more prominent on the left side. My husband got very upset and said it is just a waste of time and money because he thinks the doctor is lying and telling me what I want to hear so that I will keep coming back. My husband said there is noway I am going back and starting on any medication cause there is nothing wrong with me. I don't know if this is a diagnosis for epilepsy or not, I didn't ask the doctor either.I don't know if this was the first seizure I have ever had, I might of had two other ones but those can't be definitley determined because nobody was around to witness them, all I know is I have lost control of my bladder while I was sleeping, and that is not normal for me.I was not sore afterwards. It was about two years ago so I can't really remember any other details.I had spinal meningitis and almost died when I was almost a year old. I haven't had any other episodes since December.I had an operation done in October 2006, to reverse my tubal ligation so we could have a baby, my husband still wants to try even though the seizure occured. Sorry for the long reply. I don't know if I should go against my husband and start on medication anyway, and if I don't, I don't know if the doctor will release me to drive in 5 months with results like I got. Any advice from anyone is welcome.

Re: Hello pices78, I had my

Submitted by toni2 on Sat, 2007-02-17 - 23:46

Hi ladies, Seems like we all have similar experiences. I had my first seizure in January. I woke my husband because I was convulsing in bed. I don't remember almost any of the emergency crew in the house, and looking back, the entire next two days were fuzzy. I went to a neuro, and he decided to not put me on meds (no family history of seizures, no previous history of seizures that I know of - but you kind of have me thinking now, because I think I've also lost control of my bladder sleeping once or twice, many years ago), and in Texas, you lose your license for 6 mos. All my tests have come back negative so far. Well, I unfortunately had a second seizure, exactly 3 weeks and one hour later (weird), but this time I was at work (soooo embarrassing). This time my neuro put me on meds. So basically, I recieved an epilepsy diagnosis after two unprovoked seizures and no positive tests (though the first seizure could have arguably been provoked). I have mixed feelings about the meds too. I wonder if I could just prevent the seizures by living a healthier lifestyle. I've been on Keppra for 3 weeks now, and not sure what I think. I definately get more depressed, had trouble with dizziness/concentration to the point where I had to focus just to walk straight or even focus my eyes. I feel like it's getting a little better though. Not being able to drive makes me miserable, since you can only ask so many favors. As for working it out with your husband, I know it's helped mine to have come with me to my neuro appointments. He's not shy about asking questions and honestly, if the neuro couldn't answer them - we'd probably switch. Also, we're starting on a round of second opinions for everything. I'm going to get second opinions on the epilepsy diagnosis, the meds, the MRI, and the EEG if necessary. I think this is more for him than me. I wouldn't suggest starting the meds without your husband's knowledge just for safety reasons and you'll need his support if you experience any side effects. If you ended up back at the doctor for whatever reason, it would be important for the doc to know to prevent any possible interactions with other meds. Also, chances are he would find out anyways (the bottle of pills is rather large and at least for me, I have to take them twice a day), and if you are trying to get pregnant, you definately need to talk about what meds you are on. That being said - your husband is probably just scared/nervous. I know mine was pretty freaked out after the first seizure, and after the second seizure, he became determined to 'fix it' (by going to docs, wanting me to go to bed earlier, etc). Last week he even suggested that I watch less tv (he heard from a friend it could provoke seizures). I would suggest talking with your neuro about the decision to be on or off the meds. Give your husband a little time and suggest going to a different doc if he doesn't trust the first one. Feel free to email me if you want to talk more.

Re: Re: Hello pices78, I had my

Submitted by Mel26 on Sun, 2007-02-18 - 04:54

Reading all your posts has reassured me that I'm not the only one this has happened to. Its so good just ot hear others have been in the exact same situation as me. I would definitely talk to your neauro about your concerns. I had my first seizure 7 months ago then had another one Exactly 1 week later, same time and everything. Then I was fine for 6 weeks and then had another. It was then that they decided to put me on Tegretol and have diagnosed me with Epilepsy I have had all the tests done, MRI, EEG, CTG and all showed nothing abnormal. But because I have had 3 seizures then I am classed as having Epilepsy All 3 of my seizures were at night time around 3am. I am now 26 and have never had anything like this happen to me until now. Its so good to hear of others experiences as this whole situation has really caused me, to start with I was very nervous of going to sleep at night, but after starting the meds I have regained my confidence. Try not to let yourself get too worked up about being alone with your children. I would educate your 11 yr old so that they know what to do just in case it was to happen