Can someone please give me some answers? - Epilepsy Message Board

alma matters · 05-21-2008, 08:53 AM

Hi, everyone, First time poster.

I have come here because I am very confused about my condition and am looking for some answers, personal testimonies possibly backed my medical facts.

In January, I passed out at the wheel due to a seizure. I had never had one before. I suffered no injuries and was sent to a neurologist for testing (EEG, MRI, blood work). He put me on a gradual increase to 400 mg of Lamactical (sp?) which I took until my follow-up visit where I got my test results. Everything came back normal and he did not diagnose me with epilepsy over one incident. I had just come back from my honeymoon the day it happened, and he figured a number of factors could have caused it. It could have been the fact that I drank 5 or more drinks every day on my trip and then suddenly, was not getting any alcohol, lack of sleep (my flight was delayed, I got 4 hours of sleep in Atlanta, and that was it) or stress (when it happened, was driving around changing my name, getting a new license, etc). Unfortunately, I stopped taking the Lamictal because it made me feel cruddy and was very expensive and the doctor said it was up to me if I wanted to continue taking it. I've been fine for four months and have not experienced even the tiniest bit of abnormality neurologically.

Well, this morning while I was sleeping I suffered a grand mal seizure. Thankfully my husband came to the rescue and took care of me and told me how bad it was (i spit up blood, bit my tongue, etc). Well, obviously, I am pretty freaked out about it. I took a 25 mg. of Lamatical today and will start gradually getting back up to two 200 mg a day. I was trying to figure out what could have caused it and the only things I came up with were this: I hadn't eaten properly the day before because I wasn't feeling well. I went to bed hungry. Secondly, I have been off of birth control for a week and a half. Could the lack of hormones from that cause it? Will going back on it (today) trigger another one from getting the hormones again? I also remember having a bad dream about a car accident before the seizure.

I called off work today so I don't need to worry about any stressful situations, although calling off made me feel awful.

I just want to know if there is something simple that caused both of these like the factors of described, so before the Lamatical begins to kick in I can just be very careful not to do the things that possibly caused it.

Thanks!

Travis from MN · 05-21-2008, 11:46 AM

Hormones CAN be a trigger (cause) of seizures in some cases.

Check back in with your Doctor and update, so they know the current situation, see if they give you any other ideas.

The other possible if needed, and I am unsure of what's available in Georgia, is an Epilepsy clinic that has doctors with additional training focused on epilepsy. Possibly looking at an in hospital 3 day stay to see if they can find out any more, or "trigger" seizures. This could be later down the road as well.

Usually Doctors will change medications if what a patient is on is not working very well so you know. It is not a quick process when adjusting medications. They want to be sure.

--Travis

030free · 05-21-2008, 09:25 PM

alma matters
sorry to hear about your situation, but there are different reasons for having seizures and not necessarily will you have them for life. Take the meds and give it time to adjust. Keep a journal with every time you have a seizure with dates and descriptions from the person who helps you (such as what happens to you). Continue your neuro appoinments and I agree to having another EEG done later if your seizures continue. Many things coud of caused this and most times with females hormones are the #1 trigger. In my case I never had the seizures untill I turned 11yrs old and it was due to a head injury I had at the age of 6. Im not saying this is your case, but you can only know for sure by staying on the meds, getting more test done, and DONT DRIVE! especially if your feeling sick. I hope you feel better, try not to stress too much, dont drink alcohol, and keep us posted.
Laura

Jamie30 · 06-07-2008, 07:36 PM

I would definetly recommend a 24 -48 hour EEG especially since your second seizure is when you were sleeping. I am fortuante that I am contolled with taking Topamax twice a day. I was diagnosed when I was a freshman in High School. My seizures have always been when I was slepping and have been Gran Mal. They have been always caused by sleep deprivation and stress. Now my brothers have had seizures recently, however after testing were not diagnosed with epilepsy. There seizures were due to drinking way too much!!!!! getting dehydrated and not having enough sleep. There seizures were obviously the next morning/afternoon. There testing was through 24 hour and 48 hour EEG's.
Hope this is helpful.

dansierella · 06-08-2008, 08:05 AM

Poor eating and sleeping habits can have a pretty profound effect on a seizure disorder. My last seizure came when I was stressed and taking poor care of myself, so I have experienced that one firsthand.

Hormone fluctuation can definitely cause a seizure. So that may be your trigger.