Seizures & MS?

[funmonkeytoes]

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?

[Momzilla]

I'm happy that you are getting the treatment you've been hoping for!  I am eagerly awaiting your post about the treatment.  It sounds interesting, to say the least!

Feel well and strong,

Zilla*

[dowma]

Thanks for the info.  I saw my neurologist yesterday for all my tests results from the hosp. 2 weeks ago.  VEEG was significantly changed meaning definately having seizures frequently some as long as 3 min.  He says there not your "typical" seizures whatever that means?  Last VEEG just showed sharp spike waves.  
LP and all labs were negative.  MRI  of brain showed no change from prior 6 months ago, few small white matter foci ( i think 2-3).  Neuropsych. was slightly worse.
He wants to continue my IVIG for 3 more months making it a total of 6 month course, feels I need to give it the whole run.  Also wants to start tegratol, which I'm nervous about because I had tried it over a year ago when I initially had abnormal EEG by different neurologist and was very dizzy.  So maybe I'l start tomorrow.  
Have to admit even though LP was negative not so convinced I don't have MS because of all my symptoms, numbness and tingling definately worse in right arm and leg pretty much constant and even painful.  Fatigue same but on occasion so so tired.  I wake up tired.  
Had C-spine and T-spine MRI almost a year ago which was negative, not sure if I should ask to have it repeated.  I feel silly because he is going to think I'm looking for something thats not there and I'm questioning his medical opinion.  
I didn't recieve any hydrocortisone prior to IVIG and had nausea and shaking vision several weeks after home infusion.  The nausea comes when I get these weird spaced out feelings.  
I really appreciate your support and advice I feel as if I'm at a loss here!!
Thanks (dowma) Mary Beth

[funmonkeytoes]

I think the seizure/MS link is probably an issue more related to the areas of demyelination in the brain....and likely not studied to the extent it should be.  The more I research, the more I find these two things to be associated.  

* dowma, Your history is quite interesting and unique.  I am sorry that IVIg didn't help you - in fact made you feel worse.  I have a theory about your post-IVIg infusion "shaky vision, nausea, and numbness/tingling in lower extremities".  Most (if not all) patients that receive IVIg are pre-medicated with hydrocortisone or some other type of IV corticosteroid; that could explain the jittery feelings and the nausea.....the numbness/tingling could just have been a clue that the treatment was not working for you.  

IVIg is definitely not for everyone nor every condition.  When I post [very soon] about my experiences with IVIg I'll delve into that a little deeper.  I continue to research and spend approximately six-eight hours a week just trying to find clues, explanations, and people like you that have unusual manifestations/disease processes/intensive testing.  Sometimes it takes a while to interpret scholarly articles and relate them to myself or other MS/MS-Limbo patients.  MS is so individual, but if you look hard enough there's usually more people out there than you could ever have imagined with symptoms or disease progression that is similar to yours.  That's why I appreciate your response to [any of] my post(s)........your input is extremely valuable to me, as is your support.

I hope to post my IVIg experiences soon.....I had a fruitful visit with the immunologist today and will be starting IVIg again NEXT WEEK!  I am excited and was quite surprised to get in so soon.  Hopefully things will go well for all of us as we continue on this winding path toward relief and long-lasting remission!  Thank you all again for sharing your precious info.  Keep me posted as to how things are going for you all!  Peace & Love!

Funmonkeytoes (Debra)

[Momzilla]

Hi, and welcome!  Are you new here?  

That must have been terribly scary.  Has that been her only seizure?  I would tend to agree with you that the estimate is low.  Why do you think it is?

Zilla*

[BethieBoo81]

Funny that "they" say that seizures and MS don't go hand in hand because my mom was diagnosed with MS in 1988 and had a Grand-maul seizure in Febof 2005. Her MS got really crappy and she was diagnosed with Epilepsy. They say only 2% of people with MS have seizures but I find that hard to believe.

[dowma]

bump up: curious about your response  thanks MB