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388544 tn?1231982494

Seizures & MS?

I was diagnosed with MS eight years ago, and since then have had approximately six "seizure-like episodes".  My neurologist originally thought they might have been absence seizures, but the last two consisted of a lot of jerking.  After the last episode, I was unable to speak normally.  I spoke very s l o w l y for about three weeks and then I got better.  I had an MRI which showed no new lesions - but not an EEG.  Has anyone had seizures associated with MS?
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5206664 tn?1365112476
Brendan J. Kelley1 and Moses Rodriguez2
1Departments of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio2Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MinnesotaCorrespondence to: Moses Rodriguez, M.D., Mayo Clinic, Department of Neurology, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, Phone: 507-538-1039, Fax: 507-, Email: rodriguez.***@****
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The publisher's final edited version of this article is available at CNS Drugs
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Go to:Abstract.Seizures have been recognized to occur in multiple sclerosis since early descriptions of the disease. Various studies have attempted to determine the incidence and prevalence of seizures in multiple sclerosis; although they differ in the reported prevalence, seizures do appear to be more common in multiple sclerosis cohorts than in the general population.

The pathological underpinning of seizures in multiple sclerosis remains indeterminate. Cortical and subcortical demyelination and inflammation may explain the increased frequency of seizures in multiple sclerosis, although this hypothetical correlation remains to be proven.

Management of seizures in multiple sclerosis is similar to the management of seizures in other patients. Consideration of the underlying neurological deficits related to multiple sclerosis may be necessary, and dosages should be adjusted if increased sensitivity to antiepileptic side effects or interaction with other centrally-acting medications is suspected. The prognosis of epilepsy in patients with MS remains uncertain, with some studies suggesting a more favorable prognosis than others.

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, seizure, epilepsy
Go to:Introduction.Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system having both inflammatory and chronic degenerative components. Multifocal central nervous system lesions affect diverse brain regions at unpredictable intervals. Acute episodes of demyelination and axonal injury may involve local inflammatory and destructive processes. The underlying etiology of the disease remains elusive, and the triggers of demyelination as well as the propagation of the disease over time remain unexplained..

Seizures have been recognized to occur in MS since the earliest descriptions of this disease [1] and were included in textbook descriptions of MS symptoms for over 125 years.[2] Since that time, seizures have been reported in many clinical descriptions of the disease. Recent descriptions of the pathological findings associated with MS, including increased appreciation of cortical and subcortical demyelination with and without inflammation, have shed light onto possible explanations of why seizures may be more common in MS than in the general population.

Go to:Search Strategy.We made a systematic search of the literature relating to seizures and epilepsy in multiple sclerosis patients. MEDLINE and PubMed were employed as search engines, using the keywords “multiple sclerosis” AND (“seizure” OR “epilepsy”). We retrieved and reviewed pertinent articles regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of seizures in MS patients. The bibliographies of these papers were also reviewed to identify additional relevant publications. Studies were reviewed, and those employing current diagnostic criteria for MS were reviewed further. Some older studies returned in this search described non-epileptic paroxysmal events (e.g. tonic spasms, paroxysmal choreoathetosis, etc.) that may mimic epileptic seizures. Studies employing definitions that would result in these events being counted as seizures were excluded.

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5206664 tn?1365112476
sounds like MS to me, I would go to a neuro and only a good one if I were you. Scrap those "drs" and also look at your MRI and tests you've had and have them sent to your neuro....2nd opinion.
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5206664 tn?1365112476
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2748351/

I don't care what they say, seizures are pretty common with MS. I also have complex partial...temporal lobe
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5206664 tn?1365112476
Yes, I've had 2 grand mal seizures in the past 35 years. Those "drs" know not what their talking about.
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5206664 tn?1365112476
Yes, very hard to believe. I have had only 2 grand mal seizures in my life and I"m 58. First one was age 22, nothing done...went back to sleep. 2nd one 10 years later, different state. Have had 2 positive EEG's....different places. My bladder has been bad since age 17 (now kidneys) but much worse now w/ some intermittent incontinence. Also Tinnitus, very high pitched annoying all the time now and mostly deaf in left ear along with a very numb left foot, after having many awful calf spasms at night, for the last year or so moving up my ankle...many more symptoms too. It's very frustrating when all the "medical" community cares about is $$. Big buz.
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5206664 tn?1365112476
Nope, those "drs" don't know much. Seizures are very common with MS.
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Avatar universal
Just wanted to laet you guys know i have ms and have hd this diagnosis since october 2011 ans have several left temporal lobe seizures since..one of which put me in the hospital two days at christmas and i dont  remember those two days at all....my neurologist told me from the beginning its very possible too have seizures with ms ...however its rare..only 2 to 5 percent..also  to clear up something....she also explained that during a EEG....you can actually be having the seizure and it show nothing..come back completely normal...it all depends on each person and their own brain.....tina
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Avatar universal
HI - I have read all your comments.  It would be great to have someone to talk to.  I started with foot problems in my later 30's.  
About 10 years ago I saw an EENT, who had done an MRI, and told me after studying that I probably have MD.
About 5 years ago I was habitually so tired I could not work.  A sleep study revealed I have sleep apnea, both obstructive and central.  Subsequent attempts to use my CPAP left me with insomnia, the kind where you literally stay up all night long.  Then the body aches and tenderness.  I was diagnosed with polyarthritis and fibromyalgia about 3 years ago.  About a year ago, I went to get into car to go to work, had a sharp pain in my head, and all the way to work felt disoriented.  I stumbled out of the car, tried to talk to someone, but could not talk; in total lasted about 20 min.  About three months ago, I fell in the laundry room in the am, was not making sense, slept for about an hour, and then got up.  I did not remember getting up at all that morning.  The same night, I was unusually sleepy/groggy, but when I closed my eyes, all I saw was flashes of light.
Went to dr, who referred me to neurologist, had EEG, which tested "abnormal for seizures".  So, do I have epilepsy or not?  I have had no subsequent spells, and I thought they were mini strokes.
I have thought for some time that I probably have MS; have been reading the experts saying that MS and seizures are not very common.  
What I have read in the comments, is that MS and seizures is probably more common than uncommon.
I know modern medicine is advanced, but I wish someone could just tell me what is wrong.
It is good to have read all your comments and I will keep checking for more comments.
Conncole
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Avatar universal
The thing that confuses me is that, here you are having grand mal seizures but the EEG is normal, but with me, I have never had a grand mal seizure and all four EEG's I have had are abnormal! I don't get it!!!??!!
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429700 tn?1308007823
I have always been interested in this topic because the first symptom of anything going wrong was when I had a grand mal seizure about 18 years ago--long before any other symptom.  My EEG was normal.  

Here's what I found as a possible answer from the Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/multiple-sclerosis/AN01811

Basically it says that people with MS are more likely to have seizures than the general population.  
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1221035 tn?1301000508
I don't believe that I have ever been told that the seizures are from the MS.
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Avatar universal
I see that you are dx with ms. Has your doctor ever said to you that the ms is what is causing you to have seizures?
Thanks , Pam
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1221035 tn?1301000508
I too have seizures....complex and simple partials.

I had an abnormal EEG that showed a grade 2 dysrhythmia with spikes in the left parietal lobe.
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Avatar universal
Sorry to bring this up from so long ago, but as i was checking out the archives, I found this, and the experiences are very common to what I had gone through.

I have had 4 abnormal eeg's, and dx with simple partial seizures. I had asked the question before if an eeg can pick up ms, but was knowledgably told no, however, now i believe that ms can be the cause of seizures. I have never had a seizure in my life, according to my neuro, my seizures that consist of speech slurring for two weeks are  simple partials and my brain is misfiring and getting stuck.

I may not have a dx, for ms, but little by little the puzzle pieces are beginning to fit and I can see the big picture.

I just hope my neuro. will see all the pieces too and put an end to all of my questions.
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388544 tn?1231982494
Very interesting and quite scary for you.  Gosh, I was scared silly this last time because (unlike most seizures) I was aware of what was going on the entire time.  My first two experiences were like losing time and then not remembering anything that had happened for several minutes.  If I had been alone -- I would never have known....maybe I am having seizures I don't know about -- but my EEG (after my first two "absence seizures") was normal, and this last one was chalked up to being an MS flare.

I don't know what to say except maybe you should post this where you will get additional attention 'cause it sounds like something you shouldn't ignore and it's not getting better.....like stroke symptoms, but with MS symptoms in-between.  I am no physician, but I'd certainly take this seriously and keep looking for an answer.  As a patient myself, I'd say to keep looking for a doctor that will dedicate him or herself to helping you find out what's going on.

I do have a friend with MS symptoms (but undiagnosed) that has been to the Mayo Clinic...they said she was having migraines - but without the headache.  Weird.  I'll get her to take a look at your post and see what she thinks...but copy and paste this as a new "question".  I'd like to see if there are other people here that can help you more than I can with their personal insight/experiences.  I hope you get some helpful replies!

Good luck, and I'll keep my eye out for your re-post, see what the rest of the MS Experts have to say.

Funmonkeytoes...or just Debra
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Avatar universal
HI,
I have not been diagnosed with MS but in Limbo.  I was interested in your post because I am having the same type "seizure spells" related with alot of muscle twitching and jerking.  I am having an EEG tomorrow but so far all my other tests have shown nothing.
I just posted my "story" on another post but here are my symptoms.

Very Sudden onset of stroke like symptoms Sept 07. Only way can describe it was like something switched in my head, loss of hearing in one ear, blurred vision, speech problems, inability to think straight, weekness in legs, dizzyness, worst headache of my life (no history of migraines ever). All happened like a flick of a switch totally out of the blue. Suspected stroke, brain hem, meningitis. Test ruled out this. Mentioned Vestibular Inner ear problem, shingles,  MS, Lupus, Spinal Stenosis/disc compression.  OVer the months progressive symptoms of more blurred vision, motion sickness/vertigo, although not so much dizzy spells, just some triggers that can cause it,  facial numbness, tingling, pins & needle sensations, extreme muscle aches and pains and weakness. Loss of balance like Im going to fall over or my legs are going to give way. Stiff Neck,head pressure, eye pressure, ear & nose pressure like liquid filling up.  Clear liquid running out of nostril like CSF leak? Heat /burning sensations, chest pain (like angina)profuse sweating,  memory problems, just cant think like I use to, stare into space spells, extreme fatigue. Muscle spasms, twitching feet, legs, arms, face, eye, cheek, twitching with recent uncontrollable jerking mainly leg and arms, triggers similar to epilepsy seizures but not consistent. Unofficial diagnosis is Familial Hemiplegic Migraine with aura, although most of the time I dont get headaches, just the auras, yet sometimes I do.  The very recent symptom is palpitations in sleep with shortness of breathe. . Hot days seem to make muscle twitching worse, yet cold days make muscles ache & pain worse. So far all tests have shown nothing. MRI without contrast brain and spinal, LP CT Head, CT Sinus, Dopplar carotid arteries, ecg, heart stress test, bloods. Not seen neuro yet.  The one thing that got me about your post is how it took you 3wks for  your speech to get back to normal.  That is what happened to me after my first "attack" whatever it was.  I dont have slurred speach but its like my speech is affected and I cant get my words out and im all mumble jumbled and sometimes it just comes out like blah and Im very slow with it.
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388544 tn?1231982494
Mary Beth,

Wow, a double dose does suck.  I've been there too.  I hope you get to feeling better soon.  I have had two glorious days of feeling better than I have felt in months!!

I am glad that you changed seizure medication, and I pray this one will not wake you in the middle of the night wanting to barf!  

I am on my way to post some great info I found in my "favorites" about IVIg.  I would love it if you posted about your experience with it as well so we can let people know that, although expensive, it can really help people with MS and other auto-immune diseases.  I am all for sharing information.

Debra (Funmonkeytoes)
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Avatar universal
Hey Debra,

So sorry to hear that your not feeling well from the IVIG.  I had mine on Sat. the 9th.  they increased the dosage to double.  Boy did I feel lowsy!!! So I understand the headache and nausea.  I also previously mentioned that i had started trileptal for seizures, well that was horrible also the nausea was unbelievable waking me at night from a sound sleep.  Thats it couldn't take anymore called doctor now switching to Keppra.  Took first dose this morning, starting at a very low dose of 125mg twice daily then increasing.  
Please keep in touch and wishing you all the best feel better.  
Mary Beth (dowma)
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388544 tn?1231982494
I started IVIg (my second try w/this therapy) on Feb 5th.....long infusion, total of six hours; but my first experience with IVIg almost a year ago -- I had a failed attempt of Tysabri in-between -- they did a "loading dose" which was TWO days and TWELVE hours, so I am not complaining.  The side-effects were identical to before - severe headache and flu-like symptoms that lasted about ten days.....which is why I have been away for a bit.  Unfortunately, I am already showing early manifestations of a rash I had on my previous try with IVIg in spite of change of the brand.  All of the posts I've read about seizure experience and MS lead me to believe it is not so uncommon for the two to coexist, and I thank you all for posting your experiences and insights.  Now, this is not relative to the MS w/Seizures post, so I am going to jump over and begin a new post about my experience(s) with IVIg - and where I might be forced to go from here if this rash is, indeed, caused by the IVIg (immunologist says in twenty years of infusions only TWO people presented with a rash.....looks as if I might be one more).  I am depressed, fatigued, concerned, and in need of a good pep-talk.  I am also in need of sleep!  Whoa.....look for my IVIg post to be completed soon, I'd love to share what I've experienced and am experiencing.  Peace and love to all.  Funmonkeytoes (Debra)
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Avatar universal
Thanks I'm so confused right now.  Thought I would have different results yesterday at follow-up.  sounds crazy but was hoping LP would show something.  I don't know what elso neuro. is going to want to do besides have IVIG for 3 more months.  He may want to repeat PET scan after that.  He seems pretty confident thought that this is autoimmune in nature but does not give diagnosis because he is not sure what type of autoimmune disease it is.  all rheumatoid and inflammatory markers were normal.  Who knows anymore just frustrated.  
Thanks Rena for sharing,
Mary Beth
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335728 tn?1331414412
Mary Beth...if you look up, way up, at a previous post of mine in this same subject, you will see my post about how I presented with grand mal seizures and then was diagnosed with MS.  I do not have epilepsy and the seizures are related directly to the MS.  

In my opinion honey, I would keep a close record of all your symptoms from now on and keep in close contact with your neurologist.  Since the neuro said that the seizures are not "typical" I would think he would want to know why.  Please let us know how you are making out and what if anything the neuro says further about these "atypical" seizures.  

Take Care and Hugs,

Rena705
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Avatar universal
Hey Rena,

Thanks for the insight.  I did want to mention, that i have had fatigue, numbness and tingling and the other symptoms for almost 2 years now.  Way before I was even diagnosed with having seizures.  My initial EEG over a year ago just showed spike waves, now showing actual siezure acitivity.  
Sorry got the meds confused, supposed to start trileptal not tegratol.  Do you have MS  and seizures?
Sincerely,
Mary Beth (dowma)
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335728 tn?1331414412
So is your Mother diagnosed with epilepsy as well as MS?  This is what I get from your comment and if so, these are two separate diseases.  The epilepsy (if that is what she was diagnosed with) would be what is causing her seizures as a separate disease from MS.  

In my case however, there was no indication of epilepsy and the cause for my seizures was MS.

I just wanted to clarify that for you and explain that there is a difference between the two diseases.

Rena705
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335728 tn?1331414412
Well Mary Beth, you have finally gotten some concrete answers by the looks of  your last post.  I just want to add some support here...the doctor said that you are having frequent seizures and you are stating that you are so, so tired, waking up tired.  If you are having seizures as often as that, you ARE going to be tired due to the seizures.  They take SO MUCH out of your body it is amazing.  That is more than likely why you are feeling so tired all the time.

As for the Tegretol, I have been on Tegretol since 1993 to control my seizures and I have to say that it is a pretty good med.  If you are having side effects,  you should let your dr. know but for the most part the benefits of the drug outweigh the side effects that generally do not last for long as your body is adjusting to it.

I wish you luck with controlling your seizures and I hope that the Tegretol will work as well for you as it has for me.

Hugs,

Rena705  

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