grand mal siezures

  In Jan. 1995 three days after giving birth to my third child, I had
  several grand mal seizures.  Tests showed only a slight slowing of the
  brain waves after two days.  Nothing more.  I was placed on dilantin and
  took it for 2 years.  In March of 1998 I gave birth to my 4th child
  via cesearian section.  The next day, I had a couple of grand mal
  seizures.  I am once again on a high dose of dilantin.  I also take
  zoloft for depression and just lately have been diagnosed as hypo-
  thyroid, so I take synthroid for that.  I have also been told to
  take both an iron and a folic acid supplement.  I occasionally have
  blanking out spells, yet they last only seconds, however I am very
  upset with memory loss which is mainly short-term memory loss since
  I can usually remember things farther back in my past.  After my first
  seizures, I was told that I was epiletic (I had passing out spells
  occasionally during my childhood).  Lately I have noticed a very slight
  and occasional twitching of my hands especially my left hand.  Also
  they have been feeling tingly and at times feel as if they have fallen
  asleep.  Am I epiletic?  Am I having mini seizures?  Is something
  wrong or am I just plain losing it?
Dear Ms Crager:
I am sorry to hear about your problems.  The definition of epilepsy is 2 or more seizure events, and by that criteria you qualify as having epilepsy.  Without examining you, seeing the EEG, and also reading your complete medical history, it is impossible to tell you if these are seizures.  The symptoms that you are having are very compatible with seizure activity.  I think you need to see your neurologist, find out your dilantin level, and maybe get another EEG depending on the dilantin level.  Whether the tingling in you hands is seizure activity I am not sure.  One of the side effects of Zoloft is tingling, but whether this is the Zoloft or seizure activity is hard to know over the internet.  Continue to take your folic acid, vitamin B12, and synthroid.  I would revisit your neurologist and see if these are indeed seizures.  Let us know if we can help in any way.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD

[amanda301MD]

A related discussion, siezures was started.