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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

Comments

Re: Too young to have a stroke?

Submitted by tonialpha on Tue, 2010-01-05 - 20:01

The brain can have a "brain attack," "CVA," "Stroke," "TIA's" at any age, but still live.  When I was doing EEG's you  could see them literally at any age! 

My grandparents said a wise thing to me. Enjoy every little thing! They lived thru the Depression.  The family did not have much but they had each other! They did not have a doctor!  They lived until I became a teenager! 

The only one that had a stroke that I know of, was my mom, and she passed 20 years later because of Cancer.

The brain can have a "brain attack," "CVA," "Stroke," "TIA's" at any age, but still live.  When I was doing EEG's you  could see them literally at any age! 

My grandparents said a wise thing to me. Enjoy every little thing! They lived thru the Depression.  The family did not have much but they had each other! They did not have a doctor!  They lived until I became a teenager! 

The only one that had a stroke that I know of, was my mom, and she passed 20 years later because of Cancer.

Re: Too young to have a stroke?

Submitted by Nerak95 on Wed, 2010-01-06 - 01:15

I think part of the problem might be being on so many medication.  Often, less is more.  And sometimes some of the anti-depressent, anti-psychotic, etc meds can lower the seizure threshold.

I think the risk of the stroke is a very real possibility if your blood pressure isn't controlled.  If the high blood pressure is a result of being overweight, I know you already know that losing weight can bring about a drastic change in blood pressure.  Even if it's only 10 - 20 lbs. 

It really bothers me when I ask a physician a question and get a vague response, just like the doctors gave you with their "You're too young to worry about this."  That's such a lame excuse.  If you have a question, then it's their responsibility as your caretaker to answer your question with an answer that  you're satisfied with.  I've always had open and honest relationships with my physicians and if they have failed to work with me, then I found a physician that was willing to. 

The lost time can be seizure activity and the 11 meds that you're on for various reasons could attribute to this.  Unless every 11 of these medications are essential for your health, it  might be worthwhile getting a second opinion and seeing if some of these medications can be eliminated.  Many times less is more.

~Karen

I think part of the problem might be being on so many medication.  Often, less is more.  And sometimes some of the anti-depressent, anti-psychotic, etc meds can lower the seizure threshold.

I think the risk of the stroke is a very real possibility if your blood pressure isn't controlled.  If the high blood pressure is a result of being overweight, I know you already know that losing weight can bring about a drastic change in blood pressure.  Even if it's only 10 - 20 lbs. 

It really bothers me when I ask a physician a question and get a vague response, just like the doctors gave you with their "You're too young to worry about this."  That's such a lame excuse.  If you have a question, then it's their responsibility as your caretaker to answer your question with an answer that  you're satisfied with.  I've always had open and honest relationships with my physicians and if they have failed to work with me, then I found a physician that was willing to. 

The lost time can be seizure activity and the 11 meds that you're on for various reasons could attribute to this.  Unless every 11 of these medications are essential for your health, it  might be worthwhile getting a second opinion and seeing if some of these medications can be eliminated.  Many times less is more.

~Karen

Re: Too young to have a stroke?

Submitted by ghostg on Thu, 2010-01-07 - 12:42

Thanks to all for the good advice.  My wife is my life-which she has saved time and again.  I'm in a difficult place here...The meds would be vital for my mental heath and mood disorders.  Unfortunately, I am not sure they're  actually working.  My roviders at th VA have told me that I can either take the medications as prescribed, or they will cut me off completely and immediately.  They are afraid of the seizure aspect of bringing me down slowly without a neuro.  And at the VA I have only been able to see an ARNP at the "seizure clinic".  So out of fear, I've not stopped my meds gently.  I know what a pain in the ass I can be when stopped abruptly... I have an appt ith an actual neurologist there, but I'm not holding my breath.  Providers are generally overbooed, so they don't spend adequate time with the patient. 

My BP is not related to weight.  I weigh 155 usually, 160 tops.  I'm on Metoprolol 25mg BID for it.  Sometimes it is controlled, but generally it is not.  i worry about adding a med or increasing the dose, because when both systolic and diastolic are normal, I don't want to pass out.  

I have Medicare as well, but most of the good providers around here don't accept it.  A second opinion, in my experience, will look at the initial ARNP's report and then agree with it.  That and the fact that PTSD lists at the top of my diagnosis, so it's hard to be taken seriously. Everyone generally assumes that it's Psych based. 

I tried to come off of benzo's for anxiety for sleep and anxiety/panic, but it was clear that if  did so, all my medications would be stopped.  I do need some, so that terrifies me.  I'm really in a position where I cannot afford medications in the private sector.

Thanks for the time and help.

 

ghost

Thanks to all for the good advice.  My wife is my life-which she has saved time and again.  I'm in a difficult place here...The meds would be vital for my mental heath and mood disorders.  Unfortunately, I am not sure they're  actually working.  My roviders at th VA have told me that I can either take the medications as prescribed, or they will cut me off completely and immediately.  They are afraid of the seizure aspect of bringing me down slowly without a neuro.  And at the VA I have only been able to see an ARNP at the "seizure clinic".  So out of fear, I've not stopped my meds gently.  I know what a pain in the ass I can be when stopped abruptly... I have an appt ith an actual neurologist there, but I'm not holding my breath.  Providers are generally overbooed, so they don't spend adequate time with the patient. 

My BP is not related to weight.  I weigh 155 usually, 160 tops.  I'm on Metoprolol 25mg BID for it.  Sometimes it is controlled, but generally it is not.  i worry about adding a med or increasing the dose, because when both systolic and diastolic are normal, I don't want to pass out.  

I have Medicare as well, but most of the good providers around here don't accept it.  A second opinion, in my experience, will look at the initial ARNP's report and then agree with it.  That and the fact that PTSD lists at the top of my diagnosis, so it's hard to be taken seriously. Everyone generally assumes that it's Psych based. 

I tried to come off of benzo's for anxiety for sleep and anxiety/panic, but it was clear that if  did so, all my medications would be stopped.  I do need some, so that terrifies me.  I'm really in a position where I cannot afford medications in the private sector.

Thanks for the time and help.

 

ghost

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