Adult onset seizures

I am 37 years old and had a grand mal seizure in March 2008 and then 2 in the same day in July 2008.  After the first seizure I had all the standard tests which came back normal.  They have now put me on 300mg. of Dilantin and have not had any grand mal seizures since, however I have experienced other types of seizures.  My husband seems to think that I have had these other types of seizures between the times of the grand mal seizures, we just didn't know what they were then.  I do experience auras with smells and vision changes.  I also experience a type of hallucination where everything I look at looks like a stick of butter melting in the microwave, but in reverse where the middle droops at first, but then comes back level. I have stopped playing and watching all video game playing because these seem to bring them on. For some medical history: I had a hysterectomy 3+ years ago and am on HRT and am a recovering alcoholic with 4+ years of sobriety. I am also on 2 anti-depressants: Remeron 45mg. and Prozac 20mg.  I live in SE Ohio, near nothing so any physician referrals would be great!!!!

[Tofu30]

My name is Darlene and I am 36. I first had my first Seizure in my WHOLE LIFE 3 years ago January 2006. But Just like you I have been taking Prozac for the past 10 years. I was curious how long have you been on Prozac? The reason I want to know is because Not one of my doctors and/or medications for Seizures that I have tried have stopped my Seizures. I usually get them right before my period and/or right after my period. I did research and found out that over time Prozac can cause seizures  in the brain after years of being on it. Thank you for sharing your story.

Sincerely

[Tofu30]

I wanted to know from any Neurologist that is not afraid to tell the truth --Can ANY Anti Depressant taken many years cause seizures? Also, if a person usually has seizures right before (like about 1 week or so) their Menstrual Cycle can Progesterone help that? I have asked my Neurologists if this is Hormonal and they look at me as if I said a bad word. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THIS FOR 3 YEARS.

Sincerely

Darlene

P.S. I started have seizures January 2006 at age 33. At the time I was on Fluoextine (Generic Prozac, Seroquel and Provigil). I no longer take the Provigil and Seroquel but have kept on the Prozac. I have tried Dilantin and Tegretol which gave me Steven Johnson Syndrome as well as Gabapentin --gave me headaches, Zonegram--made me extremely suicidal and keppra--made me extremely angry.

Please Help

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

The symptoms that you have described could be due to seizures and also migraine. Both these possibilities need to be looked into. You will have to undergo clinical exam and tests like EEG and MRI of brain.

http://ohio.uscity.net/Physicians/

http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Physicians_Surgeons_Doctors/-State_OH.html

http://www.ohiophysiciansdirectory.com/Home.aspx

Hope this helps!

[Tofu30]

Dr. Noopur thank you for responding. I have had EEG and MRI. They all came back normal. I dont usually have headaches so I dont know if they are migranes (migraines). They are indeed Seizures though and like I said they usually happen right before my period and right after my period.I wanted to know if maybe certain hormones or lack of them can do this. This is what I was wondering?

Sincerely

Darlene

[cornczech]

I had my first seizure in March 2009. I am 42 years old, female and also had normal tests, (sorta). I had a hyster in 2005 and am on a low dose of HRT. I am ALSO a sorta recovering alcoholic. (I went through rehab in Feb. 2009). I was put on (and have been put on since age 16) anti-depressants, mood stablizers and sleeping meds. As I have always had an intolerance for antidepressants, I stopped the Ambilify and at the time of the seizure was only taking the Seroquel to help me sleep. I may have still had Ambien by then, but I doubt it, (my memory has been FRIED since the seizure!). I am a cannabis user, (I MUST have something to calm myself and help me fall asleep and I have found this is the best thing for me) and have been for about 10 years. On the day of the seizure, I had had a couple of drinks...in one of those destructive "I hate life" kind of moods, (I suffer from bi-polar dx), and that night took about 150 mg of Seroquel, (yes, I know....stupid, stupid, stupid...especially as my 38 year old alcoholic brother died by mixing booze with bi-polar and hypertensive drugs!)...my husband was awakened by my convusions. I had two grand mal seizures that morning. One at home, the other at the hospital. I awoke in the hospital, my wrist handcuffed to a hospital gurney in the ER, surrounded by men in uniform. My EEG taken at the hospital showed an abnormality, (a subsequent one taken about a month later was normal) the MRI showed an acoustical neuroma on the R side, (a repeated MRI done a month later showed the same neuroma and that I have a Chiari 1 malformation of 6mm). I was put on Dilantin, which I loved until I was taken off 2 weeks later when I developed an allergy to it. I have decided, against my neurologists recommendations, (but with his understanding of my character and with his blessings) to NOT take any anti-seizure medication as I believe my seaizures were a freak thing and that I will not have another, (because I am not going to be stupid again and mix medications with anything...and dang it stop drinking !!!)
Anyhow, I am writing because of some of the commonalities between us. I don't know why I had the seizure, just like I don't know why I suddenly became an alcoholic at age 33 when I never touched the stuff before that age except at weddings and special occasions! Good luck to all ya'll and I hope none of us have another seizure ever again!!

Ciao!