Seizure disorders: Can someone please explain this to me?

[Cocomuffin]

My husband began seeing a neurologist after falling to the ground and convulsing (4 episodes in the last 3 years). He wakes up sick and has no idea as to what happened to him. His MRI came out clear but the doctor said that his EEG showed seizure activity in his left frontal lobe and gave him an rx for Keppra.

They didn't give him an explanation as to what the cause was and so I called them. The first nurse told me that he is having complex partial seizures. After looking at the information it's possible that some of the things he's always done in his sleep are really seizures. They didn't explain why he was convulsing during the day with no warning. He doesn't have any of the typical symptoms while he is awake. I called back and a different nurse told me that his diagnosis is generalized seizure disorder. I am very confused about how he could have both! Surely it's one or the other and not both, correct?

They never asked about his sleep habits and if he is having seizures in his sleep, I'd like to know because my daughter acts the same way in her sleep. All we know is that they say he has some form of epilepsy and we'd feel better if we had a better understanding of it all.

[jholley]

HI,

An epileptic cannot have both a complex partial seizure disorder and a generalized seizure disroder. People with a generalized seizure disorder are usually born with it, while people with partial or complex partial get it sometime during thier life. Generlaized seizures occurr over the entire brain, while complex partial only occurr in a section of the brain.
I have complex partial seizures that occurr in my right temporal lobe. They started from a head injury I got when I was three. They occurr only while I'm sleeping. These nocturnal seizures start off as complex partial but then turn into a genralized seizure later on. This is called a SECONDARY GENERALIZED SEIZURE. Since they start off as complex partial then they are treated as a complex partial seizure disorder. Almost every eplileptic with nocurtnal seizures have  'secondary genralized seizures'.
Keppra well controls most epileptics with complex partial seizures. I transitioned from Tegretol to Keppra this past Spring and have not had a seizure since then.

[irvkay]

If I can help you understand any factors of epilepsy, I'd be glad to help, as I've had epilepsy for 69 years.

[irvkay]

Hi,

I have temporal lobe seizures--partial complex on the left temporal lobe due to tuberous sclerosis on that lobe.  In essence, I would be aware of the fact that this type of seizure can go into a generalized state if certain elements occur.  Most important is to get at least 8 hours of sleep, don't short yourself on this.  Take your medicines at the prescribed time by the neurologist, so they can maintain the proper serum level of protection.  And stay away from aggravating, depressing, frustrating, fears, bright lights, and loud noises as they can trigger these seizures.  Also afterward your likely to be confused.

[BeckyUK2001]

Hi Hon, I have left temporal lobe seizures and yes they are Epilepsy. I am on 800mg Carbamazepine for mine. I have often asked how and why i got it ect but to this day I have still not got an answer. I think allot of other people are in the same boat as us. Next time your husband goes to see the Neurologist go along and ask, hopefully you will get all the accurate info from the specialist.

Rebecka xx