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Searching for a Diagnosis

Tue, 12/26/2017 - 13:51
Hello, I am 31 years old and just had my first seizure, ever, when my daughter (2nd child) was about 3-4 months old. I have no history of seizures. I'm working with a neurologist and a GI doctor (I have GI issues going on around this same time) and cannot find a diagnosis. I've had 4 MRI's (all only of the head) and tons of blood work. The only abnormality found was low potassium when I was in the ER for my first seizure. Does anyone have any insight? I'm not satisfied with not having a cause for an onset of seizures at 31 years old and I requested a spinal MRI, but my neurologist doesn't think it would be helpful. I also have extreme fatigue, joint pain, and irritability when I don't chug water and Gatorade daily. This may not be related, but wanted to see if anyone else could identify. Thanks!

Comments

MRIs are often clear for

Submitted by Amy Jo on Wed, 2017-12-27 - 03:05
MRIs are often clear for people with epilepsy. Most people with epilepsy do find a cause for their epilepsy. 4 MRIs is a waste of resources yet you don’t mention an EEG which is often used (also not a definitive test, a clear EEG does not exclude epilepsy and often repeated tests are done to get good info when they are otherwise sure it is epilepsy).

ps - there’s no reason to

Submitted by Amy Jo on Wed, 2017-12-27 - 03:08
ps - there’s no reason to think you have epilepsy. a good neurologist, experienced in treating seizure patients, can often  diagnose a patient accurately from getting a good history.

MRIs are often clear for

Submitted by Amy Jo on Wed, 2017-12-27 - 03:08
MRIs are often clear for people with epilepsy. Most people with epilepsy do find a cause for their epilepsy. 4 MRIs is a waste of resources yet you don’t mention an EEG which is often used (also not a definitive test, a clear EEG does not exclude epilepsy and often repeated tests are done to get good info when they are otherwise sure it is epilepsy).

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