Paritcal Comples Seizures - Epilepsy Message Board

peache · 10-22-2002, 05:06 PM

Hello everyone~
I'm new to this but I have a few questions so if anyone has any advice that would be great. 2 years ago I was diagnosed with partical complex seizures. I had many tests done. I had a CAT scan done an eeg, and an ekg. All of the tests came back normal but my neurologist said that happens often. Well I was told by another doctor that I could be suffering from anxiety disorder and not seizures. Since many of the smyptoms are the same for seizures and anxiety I often wonder myself. I don't know what's wrong with me and I was taking tegretol and now I'm taking carbatrol. Has anyone ever delt with anything like this or know someone that has? I'm all out of places to go. Thanks.

YogaMom · 10-22-2002, 07:54 PM

Hi Peache,

I am new here too and from the Cleveland area also! I just read a book on temporal lobe epilepsy and it says that often anxiety attacks can be epileptic seizures in those with TLE. Apparently, TLE and emotional disorders like depression and panic attacks, etc. can be closely related and some docs think that those disorders can be caused by brain scars in the temporal lobe. The book is called "Seized" by Eve LaPlante. It's very good. Do you know where your seizures originate?

If you didn't know, there is an adult epilepsy center at the Cleveland Clinic downtown. My doc is there. I have heard that an MRI is much better for detecting brain abnormalities such as those which cause seizures. Do the meds. control your seizures or the attacks?

Hope that helps!
Susan

[This message has been edited by YogaMom (edited 10-22-2002).]

peache · 10-22-2002, 09:15 PM

Thanks for the information. I do not know where in my brain that my seizures origniated from. My doctor told me that it won't show up on test but it's still there. I guess that's what I find so frustrating is really just not know for sure. The medicine seems to help most of the time but it's just gotten to a point in my life where I don't care because I do not want to do this anymore. I'm going to check out that book you mentioned. Thanks,
Robyn

YogaMom · 10-23-2002, 09:12 PM

Hi Robyn,

I am sorry you are feeling badly. I feel for you! I had anxiety attacks for many years every time I even thought about going out anywhere. In fact, I used to drink alot just so I could socialize. But that's a whole other story...They have subsided and now I just have depression which is treated with med.

Anyhow, I have done lots of research on TLE and it seems that with TLE, partial complex seizures are the most common. I think your doc should be able to tell where the seizures originate if he or she is so sure nothing will show up on film. With temporal lobe lesions or scarring, sometimes the damage is too deep in the brain to find so that may be what your doctor is thinking.

Have you asked for an MRI since the CT didn't show anything? Please don't give up hope. Every day is new. I hope the book will shed some light for you. It says alot the doctors don't tell you.

I know I speak for others when I say we are here for you!

Susan

susieq35 · 10-30-2002, 09:46 AM

Hi i to have complex partial seizures with anxiety and depression my eeg was very bad but the mri was clear .I guess i am responding and asking to.

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"Grant me the courage to change the things i can"
Suzie