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Neurology (Expert Forum)
seizure
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seizure
by Leane__0, Mar 03, 1998 12:00AM
The beginning of Aug., 1998, I was in an automobile accident.
I have no recolection of the accident, which is normal.
But I have no recollection of driving for 2 miles before the accident.
My doctor suggested an EEG, which I had done.
It showed irregular activity.
My questions are:
How do they know the seizure was just before the accident. I have never
had a seizure before.
Will the EEG ever be "nornal" again?
I am presently taking Dilantin. 400 mg a day. I was very sick when I
started taking the medication.
Now I am feeling better, but my skin is starting to peel.
What does this mean?
Will I always have to be on Dialantin? How will the drs. know when
I am ok?
I have asked my drs. these questions, but get very vague answers.
Thank You.
=
I've taken the questions more or less in order, but READ THE LAST PARAGRAPH - IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
Hard to say exactly when the seizure occurred: before the accident or after some brain injury sustained in the accident. You might never know, if there is not enough data.
An EEG can be normal between seizures. Whether yours will be normal again depends on factors such as what caused the seizure in the first place. For example, if there is a structural malformation which causes chronic irritation of surrounding brain tissue, then your EEG may remain persistently abnormal. On the other hand, medications may normalize it.
How long will you be on Dilantin? Hard to answer. After someone has been on seizure medications for two years WITHOUT SEIZURES, I usually give them a chance to gradually come off the medication. However, your specific risk of seizures happening again depends on many factors, including family history, structural abnormalities or damage to the brain, and the particular type of seizure syndrome.
So, it is possible for people to have some seizures, be treatd with medication, and after a few years gradually come off the medication. But whether that fits you is impossible to say at this point. If you are seizure-free about 2 years from now, you might want to see an epilepsy specialist and be evaluated with that question in mind.
READ THIS PART:
Dilantin has a number of side effects, most of which are bothersome but not necessarily dangerous. HOWEVER: I am very concerned about the skin peeling while you are on Dilantin. There is a (fortunately rare) reaction that some people have to certain medications, and Dilantin is one of them. It's called Stevens Johnson syndrome. You must call your doctor SOON and be sure that your peeling skin is that or something else. If it's something else, that's fine. But if it's SJS, it needs to be acted upon right away.
As you know, this post doesn't substitute for medical advice from your doctor. I hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.
