Questions on epilepsy

[Max2004]

Hi, I am a 33 y/o female who sustained a TBI in 2003.  As a result had some things begin happening about 6 months after the accident.ie. losing chunks of time, strange color blobs in my vision, and this funny feeling like when your on a roller coaster.  So after losts of test I was told that I was having seizures from a small scar on my brain.  I just have a few question that I can 't seem to get clear answers on.  

1)  What is spiking on a eeg?  Is it the same as a seizure?  

2) I am on Keppra, How long will I need to take this medicine?  I havn't had any seizures simce being on the medicine so I don't really know if I need to continue taking it?

3)  Will seizures go away?  

I hope these are not dumb questions, but The doctores keep telling me what I am not allowed to do, but don't give me any answers to why.  Thank you

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-SH]

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.
    These are all very good questions.  An EEG (electroencephalogram) is a brain wave test that is looking for abnormal activity.  During a normal study (awake and asleep) the lines of the EEG are all wavy (like gently rolling hills) and contain a mixture of alpha, beta, theta and delta activity.  This is technical, but the point is that there are a number of different rhythms going on as your brain conducts its buisness.  When neurons (the cells that make up your brainwaves) cause seizures, it is because they all fire at once.  When the neurons all fire at once this causes a spike on the EEG.  This is not the same as a seizure, but indicates that this area of neurons could cause a seizure.  You can think of a spike like a spark that may cause a fire, with the fire being analagous to a seizure.  When the fire starts (the seizure) it spreads to other areas of the brain and causes dysfunction (loosing time, visual problems, etc).  The medications keep the spikes from evolving into a seizure.  Often the spikes will continue, but the fire (seizure) never starts.  Since you have a known structural abnormality (the scar from your traumatic brain injury (TBI), I would suggest that you will likely need to stay on medication for life.  I would recommend that your doctor get an EEG every couple of years and/or if you start having new symptoms.  I would also suggest checking a Keppra level if you think you may be having side effects from the medication.
I hope this has been helpful.

[VictoriaM983]

Hi I'm a 23 year old female I was dianosed with Epilipsy after one Grand Mal Seizure on December 19th of this year. Before that I was having Deja Vu very frequently and very vividly followed by Neausa these attacks lasted probably no more then a minute maybe less, because everything flashed before my eyes. I suffer from frequent migraine headaches and allergies. I monitored this but I thought perhaphs that It might have just been from going out on the weekends and drinking socially a little too much, so I cut back but it began happening even when I went a months or two months without even going out and drinking socially. So I should have seen a doctor but I didn't. Then I had a Grand Mal, in the hospital my Neurologist told me that because he felt that I was having Migraines and this "aura w/the deja vu" prior to this that I had Epilipsy. In the hospital they put me on Topamax 150 mgs (going up to that of course). Since December I've seen my doctor one 2 occassions. First time I felt worse, the medication has made me lose 11 lbs (I was 132 lbs I'm now 121 lbs) which isn't a horrible weight loss, but I was so malnourished that it was giving me worse headaches (migraines) and on top of all that I began having these SPASAMS in my neck they're sharp shoting pains I get through my neck a few times a week still today they feel almost paralyzing for those few seconds, I also began at that time getting numbness in my hands and feet which now lasts much longer I can go a half hour with totally not feeling my feet, but my legs aren't crossed, and I know it's not normal pins & needles, it's painful pins and needles, I told him and he mention possible carpultunnel. It's not I know forsure. I feel fatigue all the time, I can't remember a single thing I'm aware that topamax has this affect, and I'm pretty sure that is an affect of the topamax. But I'm afraid I might have been misdiagnosed. I'm going for a second opinion but unfortunately I couldn't get an apointment till July 2nd, I'm extrememly worried especially about this numbness in my legs and hands, it's scary, my memory it's already totally shot. I haven't had one seizure or one of those deja vu spells, I've been weening off the Topamax till I go see this new doctor b/c It was just making me worse. He wanted me to go on Lamictial but until I get another opinion I don't want to be put on anymore Epilipsy med's. He never even sent me for blood work and I've been on this medicine for over 7 months, I found out yesterday your suppsed to go every 3 months. I've become the most clutziest person ever, I fall all the time, or walk in to walls for no reason, I never did this before. I don't understand any of this. Forget about my speach, he said it was the topamax I sound like an idiot and im 23, I'm a receptionist and I answer phones and I stutter all the time. Does this sound like anything you might know of ??? Pleaseeee help.... I'm goingggg crazy.
He kept pushing it off on to my migraines, but they're not toally severe I know plenty of people who have worse, I can function w/mine. I've also never had to be treated for them prior to this. Doesn't make sense. I'm worried I was rushed on to medication in the hospital and now I was diagnosed and I don't know what to do, obviously I'm seeing other doctors but I figured that if there is a source for other advice I might as well seek it.
thank you...

[elise18]

1. Spiking on an EEG is a burst of electrical activity which stands out from the normal EEG patterns and indicates epilepsy.  Although people generally think of a seizure in regard to what they see or feel it is actually defined in regard to the electrical activity in the brain with or without the outward physical signs. To read more you can check out the article below (it is from a paediatric centre but it about EEG's in general.
http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/epilepsy/pediatric/articleEEG.html

2. The fact that you haven't had any seizures since being on Keppra is good and no doubt the doctor will want you to stay on the medication at least until your EEG's are normal.  Stopping the medication without your doctors permission would be very dangerous as abrupt withdrawal will cause seizures (even in a person without any sign of epilepsy).

3. As your epilepsy has resulted from a traumatic brain injury there is a chance that your brain may heal itself over time.  However it is probably a better question to ask a neurologist who has seen your scans and EEG's.  I would try and be more assertive in asking these questions and if you get nowhere find a new neurologist.

[jdw30]

Can a person with epilepsy and cerebral palsy that is not that bad only effect the balance andn  learning.  Can they also  wet they also wet their bed too