1st Grand Mal

[spacenutt]

I am an otherwise healthy 29 year old smoker. Here is what happened. A couple of years ago, I started taking Zyban to help me stop smoking. After taking it for a month, I noticed going down a road one day, that I didn't regognize anything around me although I've been down that road a thousand times. My doctor stopped me from taking it after that. Last month, I wanted to try again. This time I had what doctors described as a generalized grand mal siezure. I was standing in the kitchen talking to my wife and my next thought was "Why are these paramedics standing over me"? According to her, I stood in front of her and stared at her for 30 seconds, stumbled towards the refrigerator, and collapsed on the floor. She said I was jerking all over in a rythm(as opposed to randomly). My total unconciousness lasted 6-7 minutes. When I got to the hospital, I siezed again for about a minute. I am so confused. Can Zyban cause this kind of siezure? I have never in my life had this kind of thing happen to me. All blood tests and cat scan came back normal. I am going for an MRI next week. This has almost devistated me because I have always thought of myself as healthy. I would love to be able to attribute this to the Zyban and move on with my life. I just need to know right now IF Zyban could cause this kind of siezure. Thank you so much for the service this forum provides.

Eric

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Eric:

Yes, one of the side effects of Zyban is seizures.  We think that it lowers the seizure threshold.  This being the case, I would recommend that you stop the Zyban (pretty obvious statement).  You will have to find another mechanism to stop smoking, the patch, or cold turkey.

Sorry to hear about the seizure event.  Since it was drug induced, I would also stay away from alcohol (at least large quantities).

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Eric]

Thanks for the response. One more question please. I did stop taking the Zyban. I know you can't say for certain that I will not have another siezure, but if it was truely induced by the Zyban, will I most likely not have another? Providing I stay away from the Zyban of course. It's kind of sad. I never gave people a second thought that had epilepse because it did not affect me. To those people, I am truely sorry. I completely understand what you go through. This has made me see a light and I will help you in your cause and any fund raiser I can find. Good luck to all.

Eric

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Eric:

I would think that you will probably not have another seizure.  But one can never say never.  Just to be on the safe side I would suggest that you don't become an alcoholic, do rec drugs, try and stay up for many days without sleep.  But, live a normal life, most normal lives shouldn't include drugs and alcohol anyway.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Eric]

Thanks again. Just FYI. I don't drink nor do rec drugs. As a matter of fact, I doubt I could stay up more than one night. I LOVE sleep. I am going for an EEG tommorrow and an MRI wednesday. They have me on 300mg Dilantin before bedtime. Hopefully, they will discontinue this after all my tests check out OK. I am a firm believer in the less drugs the better. Good luck to all.

Eric

[CCF Neuro[P] MD,]

your welcome.

CCF Neuro MD