I recently had my second grand mal seizure and have been diagnosed with epilepsy. I'm wondering if I really have epilepsy given the unusual circumstances of both seizures.

Seizure 1:

My first seizure happened in January of 2009. I had gone out drinking the night before but it was not binge drinking, just casual drinking while a live band was playing at a bar. I didn't stay out real late and there were no other unusual circumstances present.

The seizure occurred at about 6 or 7 AM while I was in bed asleep, and I was transported to a hospital where I stayed for 2 days. After speaking to a neurologist, he was not able to give me a lot of insight and I chose not to get on medication.

Seizure 2:

My second seizure occurred at the end of October of 2009. Again it happened at about 6 or 7 AM while I was in bed. The night before was a Sunday and I had not had a drop of alcohol, but 2 nights before (Saturday) I had been casually drinking alcohol most of the day while watching college football.

This time, again, I was hospitalized. While in the hospital, an MRI revealed an infection in my head behind my right ear - the same ear that I had had a eustation tube put in when I was younger. The doctors prescribed antibiotics for 5 days and I'm all done with them.

To the best of her knowledge, my girlfriend tells me that both times the seizures happened I was sleeping on that side.

I'm now taking Dilantin 200 MG controlled release every day.

Now I'm wondering whether I actually have epilepsy, or if the seizures could be caused by something else, like the infection in my ear.

Why I don't think it's Epilepsy:

It doesn't seem like the usual triggers for seizures have had any effect on me between Jan. of 09 and Oct. of 09.

With my job I sit at a computer screen usually for 6-8 hours per day - no problems, I've been to night clubs and bars with strobe lights/flashing lights and been drinking - no effect, June and July of 2009 were some of the most stressful times of my life (studying for and taking the bar exam) - no seizures, I drove a lot - often times at night with headlights in my eyes and mirrors - no seizures.

Because none of these usual triggers caused seizures, could it have been the ear infection that caused it? I really don't like being on Dilantin and am having minor side effects.

I haven't yet seen a specialist but will be going as long as my new insurance company doesn't deem it to be a pre-existing condition. Is there anything I should ask or mention?

Thanks for reading this long post :cool:

Another thing I just thought to mention - I do not take any other prescription drugs other than Dilantin, and wasn't on any at the time of either seizure, and I am not a recreational drug user.

I found that having an acute inner ear infection can cause seizures (I knew it could from my own MRI I had this summer but wanted some backup before posting:)), but I would still talk to a Dr. who is willing to hear you out and you should also keep an open mind.

Good luck and I hope you get the answers you are hoping for.

heyloe

What they MIGHT do is give your treatment a couple of years (BE PATIENT) meaning 2 years or so, but LESS THAN 5 and SEE if you have any additional seizures over that time.

THIS IS GENERIC INFORMATION. I am only a patient. so IF (can't stress the word IF enough) you remain on the medication over that time, and IF you do not have any more seizures the doctor MIGHT try to reduce or remove the medication and see if a patient does really need it. THAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS EVENT. Patients should never adjust their medications on their own. That can trigger seizures.

If a person has 2 or more is usually when medications are started, however it is up to the doctor to make the call. It's better to be safe than sorry. Think if they wouldn't put you on medication and you would have a seizure in a high risk environment. You could crack your head or break some bones. At minimal a sprain.

--Travis

I recently had my second grand mal seizure and have been diagnosed with epilepsy. I'm wondering if I really have epilepsy given the unusual circumstances of both seizures.

Seizure 1:

My first seizure happened in January of 2009. I had gone out drinking the night before but it was not binge drinking, just casual drinking while a live band was playing at a bar. I didn't stay out real late and there were no other unusual circumstances present.

The seizure occurred at about 6 or 7 AM while I was in bed asleep, and I was transported to a hospital where I stayed for 2 days. After speaking to a neurologist, he was not able to give me a lot of insight and I chose not to get on medication.

Seizure 2:

My second seizure occurred at the end of October of 2009. Again it happened at about 6 or 7 AM while I was in bed. The night before was a Sunday and I had not had a drop of alcohol, but 2 nights before (Saturday) I had been casually drinking alcohol most of the day while watching college football.

This time, again, I was hospitalized. While in the hospital, an MRI revealed an infection in my head behind my right ear - the same ear that I had had a eustation tube put in when I was younger. The doctors prescribed antibiotics for 5 days and I'm all done with them.

To the best of her knowledge, my girlfriend tells me that both times the seizures happened I was sleeping on that side.

I'm now taking Dilantin 200 MG controlled release every day.

Now I'm wondering whether I actually have epilepsy, or if the seizures could be caused by something else, like the infection in my ear.

Why I don't think it's Epilepsy:

It doesn't seem like the usual triggers for seizures have had any effect on me between Jan. of 09 and Oct. of 09.

With my job I sit at a computer screen usually for 6-8 hours per day - no problems, I've been to night clubs and bars with strobe lights/flashing lights and been drinking - no effect, June and July of 2009 were some of the most stressful times of my life (studying for and taking the bar exam) - no seizures, I drove a lot - often times at night with headlights in my eyes and mirrors - no seizures.

Because none of these usual triggers caused seizures, could it have been the ear infection that caused it? I really don't like being on Dilantin and am having minor side effects.

I haven't yet seen a specialist but will be going as long as my new insurance company doesn't deem it to be a pre-existing condition. Is there anything I should ask or mention?

Thanks for reading this long post :cool:

I recently had my second grand mal seizure and have been diagnosed with epilepsy. I'm wondering if I really have epilepsy given the unusual circumstances of both seizures.

Seizure 1:

My first seizure happened in January of 2009. I had gone out drinking the night before but it was not binge drinking, just casual drinking while a live band was playing at a bar. I didn't stay out real late and there were no other unusual circumstances present.

The seizure occurred at about 6 or 7 AM while I was in bed asleep, and I was transported to a hospital where I stayed for 2 days. After speaking to a neurologist, he was not able to give me a lot of insight and I chose not to get on medication.

Seizure 2:

My second seizure occurred at the end of October of 2009. Again it happened at about 6 or 7 AM while I was in bed. The night before was a Sunday and I had not had a drop of alcohol, but 2 nights before (Saturday) I had been casually drinking alcohol most of the day while watching college football.

This time, again, I was hospitalized. While in the hospital, an MRI revealed an infection in my head behind my right ear - the same ear that I had had a eustation tube put in when I was younger. The doctors prescribed antibiotics for 5 days and I'm all done with them.

To the best of her knowledge, my girlfriend tells me that both times the seizures happened I was sleeping on that side.

I'm now taking Dilantin 200 MG controlled release every day.

Now I'm wondering whether I actually have epilepsy, or if the seizures could be caused by something else, like the infection in my ear.

Why I don't think it's Epilepsy:

It doesn't seem like the usual triggers for seizures have had any effect on me between Jan. of 09 and Oct. of 09.

With my job I sit at a computer screen usually for 6-8 hours per day - no problems, I've been to night clubs and bars with strobe lights/flashing lights and been drinking - no effect, June and July of 2009 were some of the most stressful times of my life (studying for and taking the bar exam) - no seizures, I drove a lot - often times at night with headlights in my eyes and mirrors - no seizures.

Because none of these usual triggers caused seizures, could it have been the ear infection that caused it? I really don't like being on Dilantin and am having minor side effects.

I haven't yet seen a specialist but will be going as long as my new insurance company doesn't deem it to be a pre-existing condition. Is there anything I should ask or mention?

Thanks for reading this long post :cool:Oh dear, that is so close to my story--you are probably right--I was told by the DMV that the doctors are worried about losing their own licenses, so no matter how it is, the fact is you are totally alone with this info. Do not believe the T.v about telling you doctor about side effects--they get you started then this....

Hi :)

You should ask if you can have an EEG and a MRI scan done......in May of this year i had been out over the weekend first night didnt get in until 3.00am second night was probably about 2am...that sunday i had a seizure...i was very confused and didnt know who i was etc and didnt know what the day or year was etc etc i was taken to hospital and that nite had another seizure where i was shaking etc but dont remeber having that one i was told by a nurse that i had one during the nite. I was told becasue of my history it was probably epilepsy and was told to take keppra and under no circumstances to stop taking them....i used to have epilepsy but not had one for 14 years prior.....i had an mri scan and an EEG and the nuro has come to the conclusion that i have temprol lobe epilepsy probaby triggered by the late nites and not the alcohol. Strobe lights, computer screens dont affect me at all I'm still on the meds and not had another seizure since and i still go clubbing, drink alcohol (the nureo said its fine) use my computer have my piccie taken etc etc and i have been absolutely fine. One downside is i have had to give my driving liscense back but should be able to get it back in june 2010 providing i dont have another seizure. I would carry on taking the meds becasue if you havent had any since then they are probably working..Do you drive i assume you will have had to give your liscense back if you do and if you stop taking them then have another seizure then you will have to wait even longer before getting your liscense back.
Take Care
Andrea x

Hi there, not really new to seizures but very confused and hoping to get some insight? I had a grand mal about 20 years ago, had an EEG and saw a Neurologist and short story I dont remember alot from so long ago but never had another until almost a week ago today. I am reading there are so many causes triggers ect. and way back i guess i didnt think much of this but this grand mal scared the shi^ out of me and two of my sisters. The only thing i can somewhat make sight of this is both times more so back them i was under alot of stress. The dr. at my er follow up said she didnt think it was a call for meds for seizures or another Neuro but did prescribe me an antibotic for possible respitory inf. and meds to treat migrained basically but is an anti seizure med as well. Now I drive alot per say and i am mainly worried about the DMV getting a report and taking my licence? Should I be concerned for one and for two would I have heard something by now? I have really limited my driving to likeonce since this, go figure I'm already on disability for my arthritis ect. for my back but I have kids appt.s ect. I have a recheck on the 3rd with my regular dr. I would have normally saw I am just wondering if i should push though to have a current EEG and or be referred to a Neuro for current eval.??? Moving forward I have been diagnosed before with migraines and I did have a Cat scan the night of the seizures but i new that was going to be okay because i had one within a year ago due to head pressure and now it actually does hurt if you touch the left side of my head wich all my issues seems to be this side as well, sometimes i feel as if I cant even think anymore and it's as if my mind is shutting down, I have yet to tell my regular dr. this and i forget alot and scrable things ect. It's getting kinda scary!
Thanks, monkey