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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Seizures and possible MS
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Seizures and possible MS
by Tired of it, Aug 29, 2006 12:00AM
I am 34 now but 8 years ago I was under much stress. Then I started having grand mal seizures 5 years ago. I have the grand mal seizures under control but I still have episodes with my stomach and head feeling dizzy. That lets me know to WATCH OUT! A staring spell is coming sometime in the days ahead. I will stare and my mouth will chew and I will be unable to respond. After,I am feeling badly for days and everytime I eat I become dizzy and tingle all down the left side of my body. Other than that, I have been fatigued for years. Now I have a hard time having enough endurance just to due my daily duties. Lately I also have a hard time getting some sleep, day or night. At times I do have a light tingling on my left side not due a seizure. I also have some spasms in my toes and hands. Lastly, I have shooting pain in my legs but not often. My biggest complaint is that I feel like I am usless because I am so tired ALL THE TIME. I am not depress though. I have been to several neurologists. I had many MRI's, blood work, evoke-potentinal and a spinal tap. Nothing showed up but the MRI. Some plaque showed up and because of that alone the doctors said it is MS. I am not convinced so I have not started any medicine for MS. Do you have any suggestions or know what is going on? One doctor even said this is the strangest case and he has ever seen. (But all the rest said it was MS.) Help please! I am so tired of being tired. I cannot even enjoy my children like I want to and be a real MOM and enjoy their activites. Thanks for your time!!!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH, Aug 30, 2006 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms and story you describe is most consistent with temporal lobe epilepsy. The abdominal feeling followed by staring and lip smacking is classic for temporal lobe seizures (complex partial seizures). Further, your left sided tingling suggests that the right temporal lobe or at least the right side of your brain may the origin of your seizures. The "plaque" that showed up in your MRI, generally refers to a ring enhancing mass. The presentation that you describe is Not a typical presentation for MS. MS can be associated with seizures, but usually only late in the course of the disease. This "plaque" in addition to possible MS, may also be a tumor, or infection in your brain, that Would present with a new onset seizure disorder and Would cause constant fatigue.
I am sure that you have had some seizure workup, but I would recommend a prolonged EEG to capture one of your staring spell type seizures (may take 3-7 days in an epilepsy monitoring unit) and to see if your seizures are coming from the same area of the brain where this "plaque" is located. If so, you may need a brain biopsy, excision to understand what is going on.
New presentation MS does often involve contstant fatigue, but not often new onset seizures. You should insist on a comprehensive workup.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms and story you describe is most consistent with temporal lobe epilepsy. The abdominal feeling followed by staring and lip smacking is classic for temporal lobe seizures (complex partial seizures). Further, your left sided tingling suggests that the right temporal lobe or at least the right side of your brain may the origin of your seizures. The "plaque" that showed up in your MRI, generally refers to a ring enhancing mass. The presentation that you describe is Not a typical presentation for MS. MS can be associated with seizures, but usually only late in the course of the disease. This "plaque" in addition to possible MS, may also be a tumor, or infection in your brain, that Would present with a new onset seizure disorder and Would cause constant fatigue.
I am sure that you have had some seizure workup, but I would recommend a prolonged EEG to capture one of your staring spell type seizures (may take 3-7 days in an epilepsy monitoring unit) and to see if your seizures are coming from the same area of the brain where this "plaque" is located. If so, you may need a brain biopsy, excision to understand what is going on.
New presentation MS does often involve contstant fatigue, but not often new onset seizures. You should insist on a comprehensive workup.
I hope this has been helpful.
I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I am a 24 yr. old female, 25 yrs old this month. I was recently diagnosed with mild symptoms of Multiple sclerosis.
Since I was younger I have had about 4 or 5 seizures through my life grand-mal/peti-mal seizures.
since I was younger I have had a hard time functioning with doing things, hard time understanding.
I have always had tremors in my hands, sometimes my body is shakey. I always have the hand tremors, sometimes it gets so bad, I can't really do anything.
I also have such a hard time doing math (I'm only at about a 3rd grade math level).
I have problems neurologically with my brain.
Growing up I was always told I have a traumatic brain injury, seizure disorder. Nobody was really sure what exactly I had.
This last year, I started seeing a new neurologist. at my appointment he did an evaluation. So then He wanted an MRI done on me. I did have the MRI done, there was evidence shown on the MRI. my dr. told me I have Mild Symptoms of Multiple sclerosis. I had some idea that I had Mild symptoms of MS, wasn't sure until the MRI was done.
Some days I feel pretty good, & other days I feel not so good. I have some of the same things happening to me as you have to you. Sometimes I stare off for no apparent reason. I also feel tired sometimes, & not want to do anything really. I have also had the seizures. sometimes my coordination & balance are a little off. I get also get confused as well.
I get nervous very easily, & I will become shaky more easily.
With my MS. my symptoms can be there then they will go away.
you most likely have mild symptoms of Mulitple sclerosis.
I haven't had any blood work done, or spinal tap done, like you have. I did have the MRI done & it showed Some plaque on my brain, like yours did.
My dr. said if mine gets any worse, he wants to do a comparison MRI. But for now I have the mild symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
As of now I don't drive, & don't work. My husband & I are going to try & get me SSI, to help out with my medical. I haven't worked in my life, so I can't get any money, But we are hoping I can at least get the medical part. Later we are going to maybe get me a driving instructor to help decide if I am able to drive. My dr. said he could put something like I have some kind of brain injury (I forget what exactly). Hopefully that will help.
Right now I am not on any medication, my dr. did perscribe me some medication I forget what it is right now (some kind of heart medication), just in case I get feeling really bad; I can take it. But lately, I haven't needed to take any medication. I have tried to be as relaxed as possible.
I am so sorry about what you are going through.
I know you don't want your dr(s). to dianoise you with anything at all, that's the scary part of it all.
With me I was more relieved to know I had the mild symptoms of MS, before I had no idea at all what I had. I had all of my drs. telling me all these different things. All my life I have grown up having all these things wrong with me. Now I know what it is.
I guess that's about it. I hope I helped you out a little bit. I hope I wasn't 2 confusing, sometimes I guess I can be a little confusing with what I write; it's just how my brain works.