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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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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.
Helpful - 0
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.
Helpful - 0
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
Helpful - 0
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.
Helpful - 0
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)
Helpful - 0
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)
Helpful - 0

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