seizures?

[geisty]

my husband has been having epsiodes since may. he does not lose
conciousness he can speak to me and look at me and even walk around he says it is like an aura he also smells a chemical smell and a chemical taste. he has had an eeg and a mri which were both normal. he has these every two weeks he can have 6 or 7 a day. the doctor that seen him put him on 1500 milgrams of depokate er. they are still not stopping the epsiodes. could it be that they are not seizures and could be panic attacks. he also has arotic stenosis he is 40 years old never had any brain injury. he also sweats when he is having these and he feels like he is hungover when they are done. i have my husband going for a second opinion at the end of may but the doctor wants to up his pills to 2000 milgrams a day. i just don't want him taking all these pills if they are not even helping.  please advise.
thanks  tg

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

The spells you are describes may be seizures. A normal EEG does not exclude seizures as a possibility. If the Depakote level is not therapeutic then increasing the dose would be reasonable. Anti-seizure medications are increased either until the seizures stop or side effects occur.

Regarding these being panic spells, I do not think that is likely given the funny smell and taste. Good luck with the specialist.

[jan]

Here is a link to an E forum where you can read about seizure experiences and ask questions of those with E.  At the top of the page there is a thread that contains links to some good sites about E.

It pays to be informed.  I hope it helps.

http://brain.hastypastry.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=133

[CHADDY]

Those can be some signs of seizures, but a lot of other stuff.  Bet you've heard that a hundred times huh?  I know how you feel.  It might help you if you go to WebMD.com and go to the Message Boards and then the Epilepsy forum and you can post a question there too.  It will be answered by people who have Epilepsy etc.  But there are a lot of forums where you can go and have opinions and suggestions from dr.s also.  
However, this is one of the best places I have found.  Not long ago, I had a question about my mom.  I sent in a question and got 3 opinions back.  They were very concerned.  They were correct.  My mom has MS.  I am considering going to the Cleveland Clinic sometime in the future to check into the VNS to see about it for seizures.
Both are good places.  Best wishes to you and God bless...Chaddy

[adwalter]

I am not a doctor but it does sound as though the possibility exists that your husband is having simple partial seizures.  It is a very good idea to get a second opinion.  From my personal experience, my daughter was not diagnosed until she was put in the hospital in a seizure study room and monitored for four days and nights.  None of her prior tests gave any answers.  We did get a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic and they have a very capable staff and an extensive study of epilepsy.  In regard to the medication, it may simply be that this particular medication will not work for your husband.  There are quite a few other medications and combinations that can be tried so have faith that doctors will find the right one.  Best wishes to you!!

[soda]

Hey,
i'm not a docter,but i do have seizures.
His signs seem strange,but
it might be better to see another doc.
I'm not sure are you seeing
a Neurologist? I forgot if thats what you typed in.
Anyways,the docter should test your husband's level.
To see if his medication levels are low.If they are
than he should increase the medication.OR,try another
type of medicine.I do know there are alot of others.
He might want something with the least side affects.
You could always look up all the medications there is
if he is having seizures.Take care and good luck.
i hope i helped alittle.

[Wesley's Mom]

Our son sounds very similar to your Hubby, He too has clear eeg's and does not respond well to meds, and too has been on Depakote. He was recently diagnosed with pesudoseizuresas a result of the eeg's, and the way he responds to meds! I am not sure I agree with this diagnosis ~ So we plan to Travel to the Cleveland Clinic<I wish you Good Luck & Hope you will find the answers you need!! Mandy Myers

[Mother Margaret]

You answered your own question.  If medication isn't helping.... don't take it.

Chemical smell and chemical taste is one sign your body gives for too much of a chemical exposure of some kind.  It is true for a common chemcial many people are exposed to:  2-butoxyethanol also known as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether.

Sometimes seizures are from lack of oxygen.  This is one thing this chemical does, too:  damages red blood cells, they die off early (by one's own immune system?)

Does your husband remember a time when his eyes burned and they felt like hot pokers were in them? ... and urine turned dark? ... and flu-like symptoms?  ... and then a fatigue that won't go away?  All of this within less than one day?

This would the be exposure to this chemical and it can kick in the 'gulf war syndrome' symptoms.  Avoid all exposures to this chemical or wear goggles and chemical retardant gloves if you feel your eyes starting to burn.

If this chemical has harmed you, it doesn't show up in regular blood tests doctors typically do, instead ask for these add on blood tests:

the ‘retic’ ratio & ask for comment on the red blood cell size and shape; get the white blood count by microscope, not computer; and do the Complete Blood Counts with differentials plus kidney and liver function level tests, too. … its harm can be found.

This chemical not only targets the central nervous system and entire endocrine system, but the kidneys and liver
(Liver function may show OK and not be OK because of premature loss of red blood cells)

You are benefiting from a 23 month study I did on the harm to the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers in which this chemical was the add on chemical of harm (it is a poison, a pesticide and a solvent).  It led me to realize the symptoms were the same as those of the 'gulf war syndrome' vet.  And now to what else to check.

It won't be this chemical, however, unless you have a good assortment of symptoms:  from among the CFS & CFIDS &/or gulf war vet syndrome lists.  (These lists are the same, anyway, aren't they?)