My mum and Complex Partial Seizures - Epilepsy Message Board

Molly's Girl · 10-19-2003, 03:49 AM

I have spent this morning finding out more *********plex Partial Seizures and would welcome any comments.

My Mother, who is just turned 80, has experienced "funny turns" for a while. Having researched these, I now think they are Complex Partial Seizures as she seems to exhibit a lot of the symptoms. She "blanks out" for a few minutes without warning, but during this time she remains standing/sitting and continues talking.

This became very clear yesterday evening when she started a telephone conversation with an old friend and then experienced a seizure - she continued the conversation without knowing where she was or who she was talking to and then "came back".

She often "chews" at nothing during these spells and does unneccesary acts such as moving things around on the table. Sometimes she just stands with her finger to her mouth and you can sense that she is wondering what is happening.

When she does "come back" - never more than a few minutes, she has no recollection of anything that occurred prior to or during the seizure.

So - my questions?

1 Am I right? Does this sound like Complex Partial Seizures

2 What should I do? Clearly, I am now going to seek more advice - but is this treatable?

Very many thanks

KittyMom · 10-19-2003, 12:18 PM

Molly's Girl,

First off I have to say Welcome to the board!! There are a ton of fantastic people on here who will help you with most anything. They are terrific people! You have come to the right place. Again, Welcome!!

What you are describing sounds just like CPS. I have that very same thing. I will feel a strange but distinctive feeling that lets me know I am "going out" and then I am out for about 2-5 minutes. I will have, so I have been told, a strange look on my face like there is no one inside. Like I am "empty" so to speak.

I too will say things that don't make any sense. I look like I am confused and trying to figure out where I am or what I am doing. I will tell my family that we need to go home when we are sitting in the living room watching TV. When I come to I am just fine like nothing happend only I am VERY tired and I won't remember in an hour EVERYTHING that happend that last hour after my seizure. Its like the memory doesn't start back up for an hour after. Very frustrating.

Yes, it sounds like CP seizures to me. You need to make an appointment with her GP and let him/her know what you just explained here and they will refer you to a Neurologist. Than is who will give her the proper medication to help with this. Mind you, there are about 25 different medications and some will work on one but not on others. It is a hit and miss type thing sometimes. It can be controled. In some cases, rare, the seizures won't respond to medications. Starting them abruptly and stoping them the same will cause seizures much worse but your doc will explain that all to you and your Mother.

I hope this helped some. Please, please, please let me know how things went, are going, or what is happening in general as I will be praying for you and your mother.

God Bless you dear,
KittyMom

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Mother of 3 beautiful kids and wife to a Great husband! I love helping others...it helps me grow!

Tigre · 10-20-2003, 07:18 AM

I also have these type of seizures and that is what I go through as well. I also suggest a trip to the neurologist to have an EEG done and to get meds for her. I highly suggest though that if they offer topamax...dont. It is a drug from hell in my oppinion and made me hallucinate and can also cause glaucoma. I am on 2000mg of keppra for these seizures and it works good for me, but as kitty says there are many out there and they work different for all. Please get her to a doc and let us know how things turn out. I also read that PC seizures are the hardest to treat because the symptoms are many and hard to treat..sometimes a combination of meds is needed to control them. Best of luck and keep us informed.

KittyMom · 10-20-2003, 11:22 AM

How are things going sweetie?? I am thinking of you. Please let me know.

God Bless,
KittyMom

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Mother of 3 beautiful kids and wife to a Great husband! I love helping others...it helps me grow!

Molly's Girl · 10-21-2003, 02:08 PM

Hi KittyMom! Hi, Tigre!
Sorry I haven't got back to you sooner-I had to wait for my son to show me what to do!
Thank you both so much for your help and advice. It has helped put my mind at rest. I'm convinced that Mum has CPS. We have made an appointment for her to be seen by the doctor and hope he will refer her to a neurologist. I will let you know how we get on!

Many thanks once again,

Molly's Girl