stress related seizures

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I had two stress induced seizures back in 2009, ten days a part, the second one almost killed me. I ended up back in the hospital this time for 18 days, 4 of which were in intensive care. It could have prevented but it wasn't.

I fractured my skull, and now have no sense of smell at all,80% of my taste is ruined, higher frequencies affected in one ear.This hasn't reoccured now, but I know for a fact it was stress induced. Zonegran and phenytoin at night and a minor sleep prescription to help me sleep. I could feel both of these seizures coming before they hit, nausea, weak, some what confused, then out cold. Stress induced, previous coma for 8 days back in 2003, can't go into details here.

Near fatal injuries, head trauma, now years, later epilepsy. Didn't that see one coming at all. Stress is a major trigger of seizures, no doubt about it. Every 100 minutes or so a person dies in the U.S. from a seizure. Find a medication that works and that you can live with AND TAKE IT EVERY DAY, AND TRY AND AVOID YOUR TRIGGERS.

By Richard02 on Sun, 06/19/2011 - 1:16pm

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Thanks for sharing info on stress related seizures

By Kamil on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 11:36pm

RE: stress related seizures

Stress and epilepsy are so related. There is not one medication to handle this.Lisahttp://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EpilepsyApproach/

By angel_lts on Mon, 06/13/2005 - 3:15am

Both types of stress (mental and physical) have long been known as one of the most common and most frequent triggers of all types of epileptic seizures. As a matter of fact, I learned a long time ago that seizures can more easily be activated by stress at any time than they can by bright (maybe flashing) light.

And I've also long felt that epilepsy can be a very intense cause of all stresses, due to the physical abilities that it takes away from us and difficulty so many of us have with "fitting in" with our peers and the misjudgements/misconceptions most of them have about us and our conditions.

One example of seizures that I've had that seemed to be a reaction to mental stress is a case in which, during a first date with a girl I'd just met, my shyness and nervousness seemed to cause a seizure that ended or cancelled the occaision.

-David

By MouseP... on Sun, 06/12/2005 - 7:41pm

Hi Chips,I've got stress related seizures, and I'm not on any medication. It was found that anti-convulsants actually caused a reverse reaction with me. I find the best thing to do is when the aura hits to lay down and put my feet up (higher than my head) to help the blood flow to the brain, and also to have someone talk me through it has aided immeasurably in avoiding the actual seizures. I've had EEG's and MRI's and CT Scans... all came back perfectly normal. Stress is an unavoidable part of our lives, and all we can do is avoid as much as we can, and try to make the rest as little as possible. The impossible dream is a stress free existence.

By faecanuck on Sat, 06/11/2005 - 6:51am

RE: RE: stress related seizures

Hello, I had my first seizure when I was a child, but, stress glaore going on. My Father was in the hospital, and plus Christmas Time. They ran every test in the "book" and I came out as "nortmal". I was seizure free until years later, I was going through a rough divorce, and depression. I had three seizures in one summer and the third one almost killed me. I was driving to lunch and had a head on collision-lucky to be alive. Now, more confusing, 17 years go by and no seizures. Then, out of the blue I have a Grand Mal at night in my bed. I was stressed again to the max, and it took me almost all night to go to sleep. When I did, I awoke to Paramedics in my bedroom and I was going, "DO WHAT"? Again, no seizures until 6 years later, which brings me up to date: I had a seizure, petit mal, Thursday, I am MEGA Stressed with family issues, etc etc. My biggest question is: What do I do? I can't run around life in a constanct panic attack that I may have a seizure. I have no warnings. Is there a drug that can lower my "stress" and hold the random seizures at bay?I would appreciate any information-this is not a comfortable way to live, panic attacks in re: afraid of a seizure. Thank you so much, Mallie

By mallie on Sat, 06/11/2005 - 6:17pm

RE: RE: RE: stress related seizures

Ã have had a seizure disorder for 8 years after having a CVA (stroke). Just weeks ago I went to an epilepsy center for 8 days of video EEG testing. Although they could not find a focus from the CVA they did dx: PNES - psychogenic seizures. I am told that this is now edemic. Interestingly, when the neurologist told me that these seizures would not generalize I practically stopped having them! Talk about mind over matter. Perhaps, I did loose much of my fear. I still must take anticonvulsants because I still do have that old damage. Seems like it takes a low dilantin level plus my period to make me flop like a fish. I am med compliant -- there is nothing worse than ending up in ICU in status. At first doctors gave me a low dose of Ativan BID but the epilepsy center said this was the drug of choice used in an emergerency seizure situation and would not work as well then. My doctor prescribed Clonapin BID instead of the Ativan when I told him the additional diagnosis. ( They also told me the CVA was caused by an AVM - a malformation of blood vessels in the brain. ) Apparently, there are a lot of epilepsy patients (10 to 50 percent) that also have nonepileptic seizures. I have been referred to a psychiatrist for this. One thing I noticed from the start as I kept a seizure log: With psychogenic or nonepileptic seizures, I could hear those around me and even obey commands-- Like I could put my foot down during the seizure while lying in bed. This would in effect work through the seizure and abate it. Of coure with a true epileptic seizure it is impossible to respond to a command until the seizure is over. Psychogenic seizures fortunately do not cause brain damage so there is not the memory loss associated with true epileptiform seizures. Treating triggers must be a big part of the battle, eh? I do feel empowered. I am in control again. I was having one to four of these "partials" daily or atleast every few days. The video EEG test was grueling but worth it!!! Now I know. The battle has been won. laughinglion

By laughi... on Sun, 06/12/2005 - 9:03am

RE: RE: RE: RE: stress related seizures

Hi Chipp. I em a little bit PI but I think good okkkkk? Ok the poster abbbbove me talks abowt psychogenic seizures. Is that what your doctor is saying to you I wonder so. Look up psychogenic, nonepileptic and pseudoseizures. 3 names, 1 thing. I HOPE it is what you have. There is not shaame okay? Ja, no shame onliest people who do not understand and make you shame. See? That is there problem if so and yours is maybe what I said. Not a doctor and I can not tell to you medicines but I will SHARE others take andd SSRI likke Paxil or Zoloft and other SSROI's or antidepressents and maybe Ativan. Onliest what I have red. An if another member would cleen me up I wwwould not feel bad mmmeening my typing. Bruce?Good luck. Do not be scared friend I do not no why do not be scared but anyways it works itselve out. YOu be ok ok? Soprry I em a little bit PI>Gretchen1

By gretchen1 on Sun, 06/12/2005 - 6:26pm

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: stress related seizures

My doc said I am glad you are taking this so well - actually I was pleased it was not another difficult to treat epilepsy disorder - and I said I just wanted to get better. Nothing to be ashamed of. Shrinks call it a conversion disorder. Apparently it is also somewhat common with patients who also have chronic pain. Here are some links about PNES:

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic403.htm
http://www.thecni.org/reviews/14-fall03-p17-schneiders.pdf
http://www.leadingtheadvance.com/patient/epilepsy/psychogenic.asp

wellness abounds, laughinglion

By laughi... on Sun, 06/12/2005 - 8:55pm

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: stress related seizures

I was just informed my that my oliogoclonial banding test was positive indicating I have a demyelinating disease.

My MRI in April showed five abnormal plaques. I am having another MRI Monday. I am having trouble walking again. The neurologists will study the images to see if I had a monophasic (isolated) event when I suffered right -sided weakness. I am worried that I am having a remitting - relapsing disease (in the MS family). Interestingly, when confronted with the truth, that these PNES seizures can not generalize I haven't had them. But I am having spasms and pain. And difficulty walking and with balance. This is all new since April. I took care of an M.S. patient for 8 years. I am fully aware of what what happens. Doctors are not sure what what I have yet - something that affects white matter for sure. I see my neuro next month. This new dx + epilepsy + PNES! I wasn't scared before this one.

laughing lion

By laughi... on Sun, 06/19/2005 - 7:32pm

For most people with seizers stress is a common triger regaurdless of what medication you are on. You could try to avoid stressful situations, as anyone one knows this is not always possible.

By limeri... on Sat, 06/11/2005 - 4:15am

I agree , stress is definitely a factor in many seizures, usually a huge factor, and unfortunately very hard to avoid. I have post-traumatic stress disorder, which basically means that I live life in defense mode, put through too many stressful situations kind of put me in a constant state of fight or flight as they say. So although I have no job, no kids, a great and understanding husband and family, my life is pure stress. Anyway I take Lamictal and Clonazepam and very very rarely get maybe a little jerk, or an aura ( I call that " feeling seizurish" ) ,,,other than that I have no problems at all. I know clonazepam is also a valium type med, the psych I went to recomended it to me and I told him I was already on it for my epilepsy. Hate to think what life would be like w/out the clonazepam. Anyway if stress seems to be your main trigger , perhaps talking to your doc about clonazepam may be worth a shot.....P.S. Bruce, for pop-ups try the google toolbar, works great! Also try adaware which is a spyware removal program that you can download free, which helps stop pop-ups.

jinx1331xnij (not verified)

By jinx1331xnij (not verified) on Sat, 06/11/2005 - 5:11am

chips,

Stress is just one of the most common 'triggers' for people to have seizures. Which specific seizure is a multiple guess. You, or anyone, can have a grand mal, or one of the partial seizures, an absence seizure [petit mal]. Again, a multiple guess. It varies from person to person, and from seizure to seizure.

Here's an example about some of mine. I come to a certian time point in a day, become stressed, and an aura [simple partial seizure] starts like a computer pop-up. Once it does I'll just begin to relax, even sit down somewhere and calm down. Then within 5 minutes, give or take, the seizure [pop-up] is over and done.

As for "what medication", a doctor [primarily a neurologist], will need information from you and from necessary tests, to reach a diagnosis if you're having seizures to begin with. If you are, then he or she can prescribe certain medication based on what specific seizure(s) are taking place, along with other considerations of age, gender, if you're on other medications for other current medical reasons. Plus, as needed, making dosage level adjustments to meet the most effective amount.

Have you gone in for any medical visit, tests and received a diagnosis of having any seizures? Any medications? Please feel free to share more about any of this and we'll continue with more explinations.

Hope this helps.

Bruce J

grez-monkey (not verified)

By grez-monkey (not verified) on Fri, 06/10/2005 - 6:56pm

Hi , well im really glad that you guys also have stress related seasures. It makes me feel at home . jasmine

By jasmine on Sun, 06/19/2005 - 9:40pm

Bruce had a eeg and MRI done all came back normaI a, right now Ativan and Epival are the med i am on but hes told me he thinks mine are more stress related seizures

By chips on Sat, 06/11/2005 - 12:35am

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stress related seizures

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