Medication and auras question

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Good morning, hope everyone is doing good this morning. So I have temporal lobe epilepsy with complex partial seizures and have had it for 6 years but was only recently diagnosed and only recently started medication, 200 mg of lamictal twice daily and 200 mg of topomax twice daily. I had no idea they were seizures for the last 6 years but the auras were always the exact same. I was driving all that time and was a heavy equipment operator but always had a consistent warning. My concern is now that I know I have epilepsy I am noticing so much more with my body including the simple partoak seizure that I never noticed before as they never involved the pass out feeling. My simple partial seizures just feel like a mild aura of the complex aura and my concern is that the medication could just turn the complex partial seizures auras milder to where I will no longer recognize them. Is that possible? I hope I'm making sense here. I have simple partial seizures pretty much on a daily basis and complex ones on a bi monthly basis. I just don't want to have to worry every time I have a simple aura due to a medication change. Just not sure if its possible and hoping for some clarification, thanks!

Comments

Maybe you understand that

Submitted by birdman on Tue, 2019-09-17 - 21:27

Maybe you understand that simple partial and complex partial are not just titles given to different types of seizures. The name partial indicates that seizure activity is occurring in just a part of the brain. And the name simple partial is the seizure without loss of awareness (today they call it focal seizure without impaired awareness) and the name complex partial is the name given to the seizure they now call focal seizure with impaired awareness. If your case is like mine there is a good chance that you have two seizure foci or places in the brain where seizures occur. When I have seizures that impair my memory and awareness I know these occur in my left temporal lobe which is my "dominate hemisphere" and responsible for managing my memory and awareness. Seizures do also occur in just my right temporal lobe and do not effect my memory and awareness. For many years I always did have a warning or simple partial seizure that preceded my loss of awareness that came with the complex partial. This was very convenient as I too operate heavy machines and have always had a warning when to quit. A couple of doctors told me that it is possible to my seizures to start on the right side (giving me the warning) and "jump" over to the left side causing me to lose awareness. But since my newest treatment with Responsive Nerve Stimulation I have not experience a warning before those complex partials. This has become scary. So I'm sure you need to anticipate anything with the medication change. It could leave you with one seizure type and not the other. Also different treatments are likely to change the behavior of seizures. But if a medication is not stopping the seizures completely then it's time to talk to your doctor and discuss a change. Hope this helps,Michael

Thank you, it does help. Is

Submitted by Sdredden1 on Tue, 2019-09-17 - 22:17

Thank you, it does help. Is still don't understand all the terminology obviously. Really sucks as I'm on my 3rd neurologist and none of them have really even explained anything to me yet. I had an aneurysm burst ten years ago and had it clipped which caused some brain tissue damage whatever its called and caused the seizures. The epilepsy was diagnosed in April of 2018 and the medication was only really increased when I reported the seizure when driving in May of this year (resulting in the suspension of my license). And of course now I'm worried about my consistent aura going away. I guess only time will tell...

Hi Sdredden1, Thanks so much

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2019-09-18 - 10:12

Hi Sdredden1, Thanks so much for posting and we understand your concerns. Treatment varies for each individual. Like Michael mentioned in his comment, it’s important that you’re continuing to follow-up with your healthcare team and that you're discussing any potential change in seizure types, frequency, changes in moods,behaviors, sides effects & symptoms, to determine what individual treatment plan is best for you. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg2L_HealthCareVisits_09-2018.pdf Our new to Epilepsy & Seizure tool kit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors' visits and how to take control of seizures.Learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/new-seizures-and-epilepsy Seizures can take on many different forms and affect different people in different ways. Learn more about seizures and the various types of seizures here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-happens-during-seizure https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures For more information on Lamictal & Topamax, please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/lamotriginehttps://www.epilepsy.com/medications/topiramate We know this can feel overwhelming. However, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce these feelings and help to manage your epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsyCreate a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history, medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. using a diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryLearn how to live with seizures, potential risks and safety tips: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Review our seizure alert device fact sheet with your doctor, to see if a seizure alert device is an option for you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find& give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline:1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org, can assist in connecting you to resources, provide referrals and additional support. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi Sdredden1, Thanks so much for posting and we understand your concerns. Treatment varies for each individual. Like Michael mentioned in his comment, it’s important that you’re continuing to follow-up with your healthcare team and that you're discussing any potential change in seizure types, frequency, changes in moods,behaviors, sides effects & symptoms, to determine what individual treatment plan is best for you. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg2L_HealthCareVisits_09-2018.pdf Our new to Epilepsy & Seizure tool kit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors' visits and how to take control of seizures.Learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/new-seizures-and-epilepsy Seizures can take on many different forms and affect different people in different ways. Learn more about seizures and the various types of seizures here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-happens-during-seizure https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures For more information on Lamictal & Topamax, please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/lamotriginehttps://www.epilepsy.com/medications/topiramate We know this can feel overwhelming. However, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce these feelings and help to manage your epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsyCreate a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history, medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. using a diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryLearn how to live with seizures, potential risks and safety tips: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Review our seizure alert device fact sheet with your doctor, to see if a seizure alert device is an option for you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf         Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find& give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline:1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org, can assist in connecting you to resources, provide referrals and additional support. epilepsy.com/helpline  

Hi Sdredden1, Thanks so much for posting and we understand your concerns. Treatment varies for each individual. Like Michael mentioned in his comment, it’s important that you’re continuing to follow-up with your healthcare team and that you're discussing any potential change in seizure types, frequency, changes in moods,behaviors, sides effects & symptoms, to determine what individual treatment plan is best for you. https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/pg2L_HealthCareVisits_09-2018.pdf Our new to Epilepsy & Seizure tool kit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors' visits and how to take control of seizures.Learn more here: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/new-seizures-and-epilepsy Seizures can take on many different forms and affect different people in different ways. Learn more about seizures and the various types of seizures here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/what-happens-during-seizure https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures For more information on Lamictal & Topamax, please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/lamotriginehttps://www.epilepsy.com/medications/topiramate We know this can feel overwhelming. However, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce these feelings and help to manage your epilepsy: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsyCreate a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history, medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. using a diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryLearn how to live with seizures, potential risks and safety tips: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Review our seizure alert device fact sheet with your doctor, to see if a seizure alert device is an option for you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find& give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Additionally our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline:1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org, can assist in connecting you to resources, provide referrals and additional support. epilepsy.com/helpline