Do I really have epilepsy - I've had 2 isolated seizures

[nickw252]

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

[nickw252]

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.

[heyloe]

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

[Travis from MN]

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

[PtC]

Originally Posted by nickw252

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