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Too young to have a stroke?
Tue, 01/05/2010 - 16:23
I started having seizures in 2005. 2 years after a blow to the head in a Humvee accident out of country (so the records are pretty spotty). It started with grand mals, which I have very little recollection of, even of the times before and after. But it became more frequent, and also started to include absence seizures, severe and persistent myoclonic jerks (mostly in the morning and evenings, and I guess they called them atypical, where
it was almost as if I was stage diving...into the floor, a wall, or any other appliance. I began to notice my triggers over time, and how to recognize what auras were. In my case, a white/yellow glow around lights, and the inability to clearly see anything or read. I stopped driving, as I was unable to read road signs, and now look at shape and color.
This has drastically changed how day to day living is carried out, like anyone with adult onset epilepsy can attest to. My private Neurologists and Epileptologists did 3 Video EEG studies (which didn't work out too well-I'm clusterphobic and HATE hospitals) to try to determine the cause. The VA now says that I have TBI (Traumatic brain injury) from my accident. But things get a bit stranger. Sometimes every 3-4 weeks, sometimes every 2-4 months (it's completely unpredictable), I lose time. I don't know where I've been or what happened, but I'll wake up with bruises. My wife has found me in my boxers out near the street. It might be worth while to note that I also am diagnosed with PTSD, major depression, bipolar, anxiety/panic disorders and high bloop pressure. I'm on 11 different meds to try and control all of these, but this is no easy task.
But my question isn't related to my dissociating. I've been assured that this is due to my psychiatric diagnosis and is not related in any way to my seizure disorder. I know that this can be very true, but thought I'd throw that info in, just to try and get a better over-all picture here. My main concern is not about seizures or depression, but how they might increase my chances for having a stroke. The specialists have all said that there is "almost no" higher risk, which to me means "potentially higher". My grandfather on my Dad's side had 2 strokes, and that was ultimately what caused his death. I'm not overly hyped up about this, I'd just like to know the honest medical answer--not one based on their own fear of my reaction (panic/anxiety). I know about TIA's and strokes, but anytime I've asled a professional, the answer has sadly been the same, and not even always based on me. "You're too young to worry about this." I had a healthy athletic friend in high school who had one. He was never the same. And he was 16, so I know age is not the exclusive factor in determining.
Anyone have insight here? I could sure use some real answers. Thanks for any help!
ghost
Re: Too young to have a stroke?
Submitted by Nerak95 on Thu, 2010-01-07 - 13:24
I'm still convinced that the cocktail of drugs that you are on is only contributing to your problems.
The benzodiazepines can work wonders however, one can easily build up a tolerance thus needing more. My daughter was on Valium and Clobazam (in the clinical study) and it helped with her seizures but she became extremely irritable on them. She was so wicked throughout the weaning process, too. I still think there are alternatives. There are alternatives with possibly newer medications.
When you meet with the neuro, go in there with a positive attitude. Have all your questions written down so you don't forget to ask anything. I don't know how it is working with the VA but hopefully, the neuro you meet will be one of a compassionate nature. Be sure to ask him about the cocktail of meds that you're on and if he believes that you can do better on fewer medications. The is the possibility that the meds you're on can be causing other types of seizures. Even some AEDs can cause different types of seizures. My daughter was on Zonegran and did pretty good on it but I think it's causing her tinnitus so we're taking her off of it.
At any rate, I know your main post was in regards to your wondering about a risk of stroke so make sure you convey this at your neuro appointment. Don't think of him as a doc of the VA but as your personal physician. If your hypertension wasn't evident prior to taking some of these anti-anxiety medications, could it be possible that it's a result from taking some of these meds? That's not uncommon. Be sure to bring this up.
Again, go in there with all your thoughts, questions and concerns and if there is anything that you don't understand, ask that he explains it to you in a way that you understand. Don't ever be hesitant to bring any issues up, no matter how trivial they may be. I hope your wife will be able to go to the appointment because she can bring her own list of questions and concerns. Sometimes she may be able to address other areas of concern. Although everyone's goal is to have a seizure free life, what good is it if you cannot maintain the quality of life. My daughter has intractable epilepsy and although she still has seizures she's a much more pleasant person at this point.
Keep us posted!
~Karen
I'm still convinced that the cocktail of drugs that you are on is only contributing to your problems.
The benzodiazepines can work wonders however, one can easily build up a tolerance thus needing more. My daughter was on Valium and Clobazam (in the clinical study) and it helped with her seizures but she became extremely irritable on them. She was so wicked throughout the weaning process, too. I still think there are alternatives. There are alternatives with possibly newer medications.
When you meet with the neuro, go in there with a positive attitude. Have all your questions written down so you don't forget to ask anything. I don't know how it is working with the VA but hopefully, the neuro you meet will be one of a compassionate nature. Be sure to ask him about the cocktail of meds that you're on and if he believes that you can do better on fewer medications. The is the possibility that the meds you're on can be causing other types of seizures. Even some AEDs can cause different types of seizures. My daughter was on Zonegran and did pretty good on it but I think it's causing her tinnitus so we're taking her off of it.
At any rate, I know your main post was in regards to your wondering about a risk of stroke so make sure you convey this at your neuro appointment. Don't think of him as a doc of the VA but as your personal physician. If your hypertension wasn't evident prior to taking some of these anti-anxiety medications, could it be possible that it's a result from taking some of these meds? That's not uncommon. Be sure to bring this up.
Again, go in there with all your thoughts, questions and concerns and if there is anything that you don't understand, ask that he explains it to you in a way that you understand. Don't ever be hesitant to bring any issues up, no matter how trivial they may be. I hope your wife will be able to go to the appointment because she can bring her own list of questions and concerns. Sometimes she may be able to address other areas of concern. Although everyone's goal is to have a seizure free life, what good is it if you cannot maintain the quality of life. My daughter has intractable epilepsy and although she still has seizures she's a much more pleasant person at this point.
Keep us posted!
~Karen