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Nocturnal Seizures

Tue, 01/03/2012 - 16:27
Hello, my name is Jeff. Late last year in 2010 I had a Grand Mal Seizure in my sleep. My wife called 911, they got me to the hospital and I was confused as can be to make a long story short. At the hospital they gave me an EEG, an MRI, a CAT Scan, a heart stress test, and tested my blood every 8 hrs. Thankfully all tests came back normal, and I was released. In the year since the initial seizure I have had a few more, all at night. Most of the time it seems to coincide with high levels of stress and anxiety. I have been to the doctor recently and am being referred to a new neurologist I have not seen before. In the mean time I have been prescribed valium for the seizures and sertaline for anxiety. In trying to determine if something in my diet could be the cause as well the only thing I can think of that I have when these seizures happen are nutrigrain cereal bars. These seizures usually happen anywhere from a month to 3 months apart. I was wondering if the stress/anxiety thing is even a possible cause of these things, and if you all think I am approaching this in the correct manner. Do you maybe have any other suggestions of causes, treatments, etc. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jeff

Comments

Re: Nocturnal Seizures

Submitted by jdaesq on Mon, 2012-03-26 - 20:56

well, jeff, diet is an important part on the road to recovery. im 42. have been seizure free since 1996. i can tell you that a much more heathy diet than what you may be enjoying right now, is very important. as much as possible, you want to stay away from the processed foods. its ok every once and a while, but not all the time. and yes, stress can be and is a trigger for seizures. obviously we cant rid ourselves of all stressors, but we can decide how we react to them.

well, jeff, diet is an important part on the road to recovery. im 42. have been seizure free since 1996. i can tell you that a much more heathy diet than what you may be enjoying right now, is very important. as much as possible, you want to stay away from the processed foods. its ok every once and a while, but not all the time. and yes, stress can be and is a trigger for seizures. obviously we cant rid ourselves of all stressors, but we can decide how we react to them.

Re: Nocturnal Seizures

Submitted by serenitydreams on Tue, 2012-03-27 - 02:38

Hi Jeff,

I too started last October having a seizure in my sleep and biting my tongue. I  had another a few weeks ago once again biting my tongue.  I took myself to hospital that time as I didn't think my poor tongue was going to stop bleeding.  Then I had another this Friday night just gone.  My poor tongue is a mess very swollen and eating is just not possible.  I have been put on medication but what I want to know is what has started this happening.

Like you they tell me stress can be a cause but gee, if that was the case why didn't the seizures start last January  as I lost all my things in the flood and yes that was stressful.  Why now when I am trying to get my life back on track? To be honest its having these seizures that is stressing me.  I can't work , can't get there either as I am not allowed to drive.  They have approved for me to receive a sickness benefit which will help but I have rent , bills etc to pay . Being able to work and get  my usual salary would be best..........sigh

The last seizure was this Friday night just gone .  It was when I bit my tongue that woke me.  How can I stop ,myself doing this ?  I too am looking for a new neurologist as the one I saw isn't much help at all.

I have never had trouble getting to sleep or sleeping but I did read that sleep apnea can bring on seizures.  If anyone can enlighten me how and why I would be very grateful...........thank you  Maryann

Hi Jeff,

I too started last October having a seizure in my sleep and biting my tongue. I  had another a few weeks ago once again biting my tongue.  I took myself to hospital that time as I didn't think my poor tongue was going to stop bleeding.  Then I had another this Friday night just gone.  My poor tongue is a mess very swollen and eating is just not possible.  I have been put on medication but what I want to know is what has started this happening.

Like you they tell me stress can be a cause but gee, if that was the case why didn't the seizures start last January  as I lost all my things in the flood and yes that was stressful.  Why now when I am trying to get my life back on track? To be honest its having these seizures that is stressing me.  I can't work , can't get there either as I am not allowed to drive.  They have approved for me to receive a sickness benefit which will help but I have rent , bills etc to pay . Being able to work and get  my usual salary would be best..........sigh

The last seizure was this Friday night just gone .  It was when I bit my tongue that woke me.  How can I stop ,myself doing this ?  I too am looking for a new neurologist as the one I saw isn't much help at all.

I have never had trouble getting to sleep or sleeping but I did read that sleep apnea can bring on seizures.  If anyone can enlighten me how and why I would be very grateful...........thank you  Maryann

Re: Nocturnal Seizures

Submitted by catfish on Fri, 2012-04-20 - 16:28
I have been having nocturnal (only) seizures for 40 years now.  One advice I give to anyone upon starting to present with seizures is get an MRI!  Don't let the neurologists jerk you around for very long without insisting on a MRI.  You could have some kind of structual problem, such as a vascular leasion, that could be removed surgically.

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