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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Question on Siezures
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Question on Siezures
by Jay, Jan 27, 2001 12:00AM
For some time after diagnosis of L. T. L Epilepsy I had thought Siezure was the loss of all motor skills . Taking Dilantin , 500 mg, has basically stopped this type, however still have minor distortions , confusions , and occasionally the Rush feeling in head that normally occurs prior to loss of motor skills, but full attack does not occur . Will these minor annoyances continue even with medication. The neoroligist I was Seeing is Taking no appointments at this time according to Physician . Thx for your Time . Jay
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Jan 27, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Jay:
Sorry to hear that you have temporal lobe epilepsy. It sounds like the "Rush" type of feeling that your experiencing is your aura. If the new symptoms are also related to the usual aura that you have had in the past, likely these too are just your aura. Some patients will continue to have their aura or fragments of their aura even though the motor seizures and/or loss of awareness is controlled by their medication. Depending on your phenytoin level, you might be able to increase the dose and stop the auras. However, if the other symptoms are new, you may want to schedule another appointment to see if these are a new seizure type. I would also investigate the possibility of getting epilepsy surgery. The outcome from this type of surgery, if you meet all the requirments and the possible deficits don't outweigh the surgery, are excellent. You might be able to become seizure-free.
I hope I have helped alttle.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Sorry to hear that you have temporal lobe epilepsy. It sounds like the "Rush" type of feeling that your experiencing is your aura. If the new symptoms are also related to the usual aura that you have had in the past, likely these too are just your aura. Some patients will continue to have their aura or fragments of their aura even though the motor seizures and/or loss of awareness is controlled by their medication. Depending on your phenytoin level, you might be able to increase the dose and stop the auras. However, if the other symptoms are new, you may want to schedule another appointment to see if these are a new seizure type. I would also investigate the possibility of getting epilepsy surgery. The outcome from this type of surgery, if you meet all the requirments and the possible deficits don't outweigh the surgery, are excellent. You might be able to become seizure-free.
I hope I have helped alttle.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
You sound like you are having side effects from the medication. Did you think about trying Neurontin for the seizure control. It has much less side effects except for tiredness.
Klonopin is good for Tonic-Clonic seizures. It stops the shaking Clonic part really well.
You sound like you don't have seizures very often. I have them several times a week while off the Neurontin. My Neurologist recently did an EEG and created a seizure with the strobe lighting. It was typical Tonic-Clonic as usual yet he had the nerve to call it pseudo-seizure because no brain waves changed. I was on seven mg of Klonopin at the time though because I had just lost my job due to the seizure disorder and was called in by surprise for the test on short notice.
I also now can speak a fluent foreign language after so many seizures and no one here on Guam can explain it or even seems interested in it.
You sound like you are having side effects from the medication. Did you think about trying Neurontin for the seizure control. It has much less side effects except for tiredness.
Klonopin is good for Tonic-Clonic seizures. It stops the shaking Clonic part really well.
You sound like you don't have seizures very often. I have them several times a week while off the Neurontin. My Neurologist recently did an EEG and created a seizure with the strobe lighting. It was typical Tonic-Clonic as usual yet he had the nerve to call it pseudo-seizure because no brain waves changed. I was on seven mg of Klonopin at the time though because I had just lost my job due to the seizure disorder and was called in by surprise for the test on short notice.
I also now can speak a fluent foreign language after so many seizures and no one here on Guam can explain it or even seems interested in it. It began a few months ago and has progressed to where I speak it all the time and even now think in it. I have seizures at night and wake up inter-ictal babbling in it.
During that test I also had two phases of inter-ictal babbling in it. I always have post ictal symptoms indicating not psychogenic or pseudo-seizures.
This is enough to drive me whacko!!!!!!!
Sincerely,
John Aguirre
First; I have no question, nor am I a Doctor of any kind. I am however, a veteran of Grand Mal Epilepsy. At the age of 14, I had my first convulsive seizure. Over the years, I've seen more Neurologist, and been on more medications than I care to admit, tho all in all, things have turned out okay.
Epilepsy is not contagious, nor is it fatal - be thankful. Nevertheless, it's not a run-of-the-mill illness known and understood by all either. It's a complex disease with more forms than a full spice rack. The severity ranges from the "petit mal" to a "grand mal". French words for a small ailment to a great ailment. There are two other forms called, Partial seizures and Complex partial seizures. Also known respectively as; focal epilepsy and temporal lobe epilepsy. Focal epilepsy consists of a structural disease of the brain where the location dictates the type of seizure, while temperoral lobe epilepsy may produce anger or laughter for no apparent reason.
As for the medications themselves, yes, many do have side effects. They can make one moody, as well as tired. The secret is to try, until you find what works for you. On the subject of aura, on a personal note, I might not be hasty before taking a medication that stops a warning. The dictionary defines aura as; "A warning sensation that precedes a seizure". Personally, I would give it thought. I wish you all good health, and I hope this was found to be of help.