Posted by CCF NEURO MD on May 22, 1997 at 14:01:34:

In Reply to: First Time Seizure posted by RobC. on May 12, 1997 at 17:05:14:

: I am a 34 year old who had my first seizure of life on April 16,1997. Just prior to my seizure, my left quadracep muscle began to spasm. I was mowing my lawn at the time and thought the spasm was normal muscle strain. The spasm subsided but about 10 seconds later my left knee began to wobble uncontrollably. Almost immediately my left quad again began to spasm. Shortly thereafter, my entire left side seized and I became unconscious before I hit the ground. Witnesses tell me my head hit the street when I fell, however, I do not believe this caused any blunt trauma. I was unconscious for approximately 15 minutes but not alert or oriented for approximately 40 minutes. My first recollection after seizing was being lifted from an ambulance to a helicopter for a flight to a trauma unit. In the trauma unit I was given a head CT which was read as normal. My cranial nerve exam and all blood tests were reported as normal. The following day, I was given a brain MRI and an EEG which were also reported as normal. My Treating neurologist initially prescribed Dilantin, but I was switched the following day to Tegretol upon a determination my two prior broken jaws and significant dental history could be affected by the Dilantin. I was weaned upward on the Tegretol and am now on my proper dosage of 800mg per day. I take 400mg of Tegretol XR 12 hours apart each day. My initial blood work indicates my Tegretol level is 10.8 and my liver function is normal. Initially, the Tegretol caused significant dizziness and drowsiness. My diziness has subsised but I still become drowsy after taking the drug. My questions arise out of symptoms that began yesterday. I began to notice involuntary "jerking" or movement of both hands at work. This symptom is not consistent but happened on and off for the better part of the day. Additionally, my left and right legs have what I feel is muscle pain, however, it is unusual because it comes and goes and when it is present it is a sharp pain. I also have pain in my left upper arm. The involuntary movement and unexplained muscle pain is highly disconcerting as I am new to seizure disorder. Would the medication be causing these new symptoms or could it be the disorder? My neurologist is away for several days and her resident has not gotten back to me. Is this something I should be concerned about? I would appreciate your comments.