I am currently on 8 mg of Klonopin and 1200 mg of Neurontin a day for my seizures. They are long status like tonic-clonic. The Klonopin really has stopped then shaking well. Now when I have a prolonged seizure it is only stiffness and half consciousness. I cannot move or respond during the seizures but I still know what is going on to a point. I don't recall everything as they have become more affecting my consciouness than before but much less shaking and less pain.
The aftermath post-ictal half consciousness has become longer and more bothersome however. I do become extremely depressed and agitated and babble senselessly until I come out of it. It is also the only time I crave going back to drinking, but luckily now that I know the seizures are a trigger point for my alcoholism I don't fall for it anymore. I have been off the booze for over four months and hope never to touch it again.
Thanks for such a quick response. I spoke to my friend's husband
re: your questions.He states she didn't have any proteinuria or increase in blood pressure throughout her whole pregnancy even when she began shaking.Her platelets are good but she did have a low hgb which required 2 units packed cells but that was 3 weeks post seizure.The last EEG was 2 weeks ago.They removed it because they needed it for another pt, only one on the unit.
The EEG during the coma was focal spikes but unsure what it was during the seizure.She continues to have the shaking in her arms and hands which the DRS. are saying is due to the seizure meds.
She is now on Dilantin and Keppra.Could the meds be causing it?
If so, what about the same shaking she had before the seizure and before the meds?Her most recent ammonia level was only a few points above normal.Can such a small increase cause these sx?
FYI-1 week before delivery she woke one am and couldn't feel or move her legs, her left arm was numb and she had slurred speech.
After 20 minutes it resolved and the DRS in the ER said she had a "vascular headache".She also had loss of appetite x 3 weeks before delivery with a loss of 11 lbs.Also her husband would like to bring her to Cleveland Clinic for a consultation, who should he contact? By the way the baby is doing wonderful.Our preacher and his wife and my husband and I are taking turns caring for her.Hope this additional info helps. We appreciate your input.
Dear Jennifer:
I would see Dr. Nancy Foldvary. She is an excellent epileptologist and very familar with woman's issues and epilepsy.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Dear Jennifer:
I am very sorry to hear about your friend. It is difficult to tell you what is occurring. It sounds like it might be eccamplsia (pregnancy induced HTN, proteinuria, and seizures) or HELP syndrome (hepatitis,encephalopathy and low platelets). The increased ammonia suggests some sort of liver involvement. I am not sure why they would put someone in coma without knowing if the patient was in status or not-did they do an EEG to confirm the need to coma, and did they monitor her during the coma (length of burst suppression, etc). You mentioned that her EEG is still abnormal, but what is the abnormality-EEG slowing, focal spikes, focal slowing, etc? If she is having liver problems, tegratol is likely not the best medication to use. Something like Keppra that is not metabolized by the liver might be safer.
Prolonged seizures often will induce memory loss, both short term, long term and retrograde memory. Depending on the hippocampal damage, the memory should get better, but how much is likely dependent on the etiology of the seizures etc. In addition, high levels of ammonia might be contributing to the memory problem as this can cause cognitive changes.
Sorry, there is not much to tell you without knowing more. I do hope your friend resolves back to normal soon. How is the baby doing and who is taking care of him/her?
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD