Afterimaging following seizure

[M]

I posted last week stating that I had experienced my first generalized seizure after a progression over nine years from basilar migraine to absence seizures to partial complex type.

I then had my first generalized in which I did not recall aspects of what happened and woke up on the floor.My head hurt very badly when I awoke.(I am female, late thirties, unexplained neurgenic bladder for which I self cath for five years now, fibromyalgia, migraine.)

I have experienced a strange visual effect since then that is not constant and appears to be gradually going away.

If, for instance , I pass my hand in front of my face as in gesturing, about sixteen or so images of my hand would remain for
a second or so.  I could almost count the images before they slowly dissipated.  It was not happening with objects far away but seem to be those closer to me and at it worst lasted four hours.  

It is difficult to discribe. It is not double vision. Worse in the morning and when I was fatigued. A side issue is that I had been treated for strep throat three weeks ago but after treatment my temperature remained elevated (99.1-99.5) and my normal temp is 97.5.

Can this be caused be seizure of this type?  My eegof several years ago showed spikes in temporal lobe which is how the epilepsy was determined.  My Neuro has not returnded several calls since last week and yesterday and doesn't even know I had the seizure.  

Is this possibly palinopsia?

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

M

[A.H.]

Who is a specialist in the Boston area that I go to for my palinopsia?

[barbara to pain and lortab]

Dear M,

I wrote to you in response to one of your earlier posts. My seizures also are on the increase especially upon exertion. I received an echocardiogram last week, the second one in 12 years. I was supposed to have one every 2 years but you know how HMO'S are about saving money. I have Mitral valve prolapse and reguritation and heard heart problems can also trigger seizures. In fact alot of my seizures are during early morning hours just upon waking or upon exertion. Most of my physical pain is the worst at night when I sleep too from Edema, another symptom of poor heart activity.

I had an MRI last month. The radiologist initially said normal, but our expert world renowned Neurologist Dr. Streele said it showed temporal lobe abnormlities and damage. I don't have the complete report yet. Tomorrow I get a sleep deprived EEG. That means I have to stay up for the next 32 hours. Yuk!!!! I am already tired from the meds I take and just woke up three hours ago.

I also was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia but I think I have Lupus. They ran blood tests last week but it will be a while before those come back. Anyway, we seem to have a similar condition minus the bladder thing on my part and the heart thing on your part.

My A.A. sponsor is going to help me stay awake tonight and drive me tomorrow as it would be too dangerous for me to drive in a sleep deprived and medicated condition.

Again, if you want to email me and chat, my email address is on the earlier post. I hope everything goes well for you.

[M]

Thank you for your reply. I started topamax on sept. 1 as my seizues were certainly on the increase, as many as four or five a week was not abnormal.

If I did hit my head, it only fell about four inches to the linoleom floor while I was being set down, unless I tried to get up when no one was around me.

The migraines are different over the last month as well. More painful on the right side between my ear, upper jaw and temple.  I was considering that the combination of the meds might be the culprit also.

I thank you so much for your time.  Please though, one more question:  How or why did you come up with mesial temporal lobe from what I wrote?  I am curious. I just re-read the report and it states "episodic focal sharp waves in the right temporal anterior temporal area" that is word for word off the report so I was incorrect in my use of the term "spike".  I think I heard the Dr. use that term.

thank you.

M

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear M:

Sorry to hear about the continuing problem.  Palinopsia can be caused by either seizure, trauma or lesion in the right parietal lobe or occipital lobe.  As you have had both seizure and trauma (hitting your head) I am not sure what to tell you.  Since you have had spiking in the temporal lobe (would sound to me like mesial temporal lobe seizures) I would think that seizure is more likely.  When your neurologist calls you back, it might be a good idea to revist another EEG and see if the spiking has changed.  Thoughts about medication might also be entertained.  It might be that you are developing mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and your seizure frequency might be on the increase.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD