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.

Temporal lobe seizures and electromagnetic fields

Tue, 08/28/2007 - 14:39
Does anyone know if electromagnetic fields might cause temporal lobe activity/seizures in susceptible people? For instance, could the electromagnetic field in a car, or near a computer, TV or in a hospital where a lot of equipment is in use cause a temporal lobe reaction? I've been reading lately about how scientists have been stimulating the temporal lobes with electrodes and magnets to cause hallucinations, dreams, out of body experiences, religious experiences, etc. and I was wondering if the EMFs in the everyday atmosphere might trigger seizures in people who for some reason are sensitive to them. I have had 2 abnormal EEGs, and been diagnosed with temporal lobe seizures. I've never seen a description of temporal lobe seizures that exactly fits what happens to me. I think I'm falling asleep, or I have dreams while I'm aware of what's going on around me. These aren't random; they almost always happen in a car, near a computer, TV, when I'm sleep deprived or very bored. My neuro said I'm not falling asleep, and he can't explain the dreams. All he said was that I have a seizure disorder and I have to accept it. Keppra has controlled most of this, but there are some times that it's not controlled. I can canoe in class III-IV rapids and never have a problem. I don't have episodes while walking down the street or hanging out with people or doing things around the house. But before medication, just put me in a car, near a computer, in front of a TV or sometimes on the phone and I'd slip into a lucid dream, drop off for a few seconds or lose time on a frequent basis. Fluorescent lights could make me feel like I was going blind or crazy by the end of the day. Does anyone else have this very predictable, non-convulsive type of TLE? I keep trying to make sense of this, and I can't. That's why I keep coming back with these questions--hoping someone else will say "oh yeah, that's exactly what happens to me!" Deb

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Temporal lobe seizures and electromagnetic fields

Submitted by socurchk on Thu, 2007-09-27 - 12:16
Re:Temporal lobe seizures and electromagnetic fields I had a 3-T MRI which is very powerful. In the beginning I felt those feelings when I have my seizures like tingling in face down my left leg and arm. I sometimes get twitching around my mouth & eyes. I know a seizure is trying to break through. The MRI also gave me the boomer headache. When done I was shaking like after my EEG in the strobe lights. The other day there's a new Cadillac comercial with a red car & a bunch of flashing lights. I was laying down resting with my eyes closed when this commercial came on. Thru my eyelids I could see the flashing. Instantly my stomach felt wierd & I got the heart felt pounding like my seizure was trying to come on. I changed the channel real fast. I have never had any cell phone problem and I know sleep deprivation & fatigue are my onsets along with flashing etc.

Re: Temporal lobe seizures and electromagnetic fields

Submitted by qamster on Thu, 2007-09-27 - 10:34
I have been using computers for years and do not believe EMI could cause seizures. Cellular phones are at 2.4Ghz which is around the frequency of a microwave, and we all know what microwaves do to water and what we are made out of. Although it might not trigger seizures; it probably is not good for you. I would figure our skull and the mylen sheath of the brain cells would be a good insulator against EMI. Also, the brain may work somewhat electronically, It is electrochemically controlled and that a trigger might be electrical but the information is still transmitted chemically between the synapse such as GABA inhibitor, AMPA receptor, or NMDA receptor that would then trigger another electrical impulse to transmit more neurotransmitters . Which I do not believe possess any electrical characteristics. From what I have read brains with seizures are missing brain cells that tell other cells to turn off. Fluorescent lights, car, phone, computer ... sounds like you are at work. Stress can trigger seizures... (someone please correct me where I am wrong) Bryan

Sign Up for Emails

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