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Seizures and MS
I received the following information from the MSIF Newsletter:
Multiple Sclerosis and Epileptic Seizures
The association between epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS) is not a coincidence. The authors analysed a population of 5041 MS patients and identified 102 patients with epileptic seizures. In 67 people with MS, epileptic seizure could not be explained by any cause other than MS. In total, 62 people with MS presented only one or a few seizures, and 18 people with MS presented at least one episode of status epilepticus, fatal in two. The study confirms an increased risk of epileptic seizures in MS patients and concludes that seizures may be the first observable symptom in MS.
I presented with seizures prior to being diagnosed with MS but the seizures have been under control for many years with Tegretol. Are there any others out in our forum that has had seizures related to their MS? Just wondering...
Lots of Hugs.
Rena
Multiple Sclerosis and Epileptic Seizures
The association between epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS) is not a coincidence. The authors analysed a population of 5041 MS patients and identified 102 patients with epileptic seizures. In 67 people with MS, epileptic seizure could not be explained by any cause other than MS. In total, 62 people with MS presented only one or a few seizures, and 18 people with MS presented at least one episode of status epilepticus, fatal in two. The study confirms an increased risk of epileptic seizures in MS patients and concludes that seizures may be the first observable symptom in MS.
I presented with seizures prior to being diagnosed with MS but the seizures have been under control for many years with Tegretol. Are there any others out in our forum that has had seizures related to their MS? Just wondering...
Lots of Hugs.
Rena
I too am dx with MS and simple and complex partial seizures.
I had a 3 day at home EEG...it was very inconvenient but not that bad...hard to sleep with all the wires and all. No shower, just a sponge bath too.
I had a 3 day at home EEG...it was very inconvenient but not that bad...hard to sleep with all the wires and all. No shower, just a sponge bath too.
Hello, I presented with seizures and am currently taking Keppra. My seizures are partial complex - I was experiencing 10 a day at first but now haven't had any in 3 weeks, Yay Me!! LOL
I was just diagnosed with MS, last week. My cousin, although, was diagnosed with MS about 6 years ago, also has partial complex seizures, HMMMMM Curious?! I was treated in a local ER, which didn't bring about any answers. They ran an MRI (open) without contrast, although they claim to have done it with and without contrast, which I know to be untrue and also an outpatient 24 hr EEG. Both tests, supposedly, showed nothing. Then, I went to Rush in Chicago and had another MRI, this time with and without contrast (I had a reaction to the dye!) but he definitely found lesions and is in process of figuring out a course of treatment with an MS specialist. They have ordered an EEG 3-5 days in-patient. Has anyone else had one that is that long? I think it is because they have to take me off of meds maybe?
I was just diagnosed with MS, last week. My cousin, although, was diagnosed with MS about 6 years ago, also has partial complex seizures, HMMMMM Curious?! I was treated in a local ER, which didn't bring about any answers. They ran an MRI (open) without contrast, although they claim to have done it with and without contrast, which I know to be untrue and also an outpatient 24 hr EEG. Both tests, supposedly, showed nothing. Then, I went to Rush in Chicago and had another MRI, this time with and without contrast (I had a reaction to the dye!) but he definitely found lesions and is in process of figuring out a course of treatment with an MS specialist. They have ordered an EEG 3-5 days in-patient. Has anyone else had one that is that long? I think it is because they have to take me off of meds maybe?
I am glad you are feeling better today. I was so into our conversation that I didn't even realize the time last night.. LOL way past my bedtime :)
Anyway, I will take your advice and tell my neuro of my friend with MS. I will be alittle more pushy and not so passive. That is my biggest problem, I try not to overstep and let them know that I have done my research so I just listen to what they have to say and then I leave.
It's funny because I am the type of person that will speak my mind, but when it comes to my dr.'s I feel intimidated for some reason. I wll keep on posting, being that this is where I am most comfortable thanks to all my new friends. .
Oh I forgot to answer about the neuro workup.. yes I have I think.. what is involved , I never had a VEP done, I don't think it would help since I have an eye disease , but I don't know.
Hugs to you,
Pam
Anyway, I will take your advice and tell my neuro of my friend with MS. I will be alittle more pushy and not so passive. That is my biggest problem, I try not to overstep and let them know that I have done my research so I just listen to what they have to say and then I leave.
It's funny because I am the type of person that will speak my mind, but when it comes to my dr.'s I feel intimidated for some reason. I wll keep on posting, being that this is where I am most comfortable thanks to all my new friends. .
Oh I forgot to answer about the neuro workup.. yes I have I think.. what is involved , I never had a VEP done, I don't think it would help since I have an eye disease , but I don't know.
Hugs to you,
Pam
Hi there...I am thinking that this could be either a type of seizure or it could be an aura which proceeds a full blown seizure. Are you diagnosed with MS? I can't remember cause I haven't been here for a while..:)
I think this is something that should be brought up with your GOOD NEURO and be sure to write down every time this happens, what you are doing when it happens, the time of day etc. This can all be very valuable information when deciding if this is a seizure or not.
I hope you find some help with this...I can relate to your hating this, no one likes to feel out of control. Let us know how you make out at your next neuro appointment regarding this and I hope you get some results.
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
I think this is something that should be brought up with your GOOD NEURO and be sure to write down every time this happens, what you are doing when it happens, the time of day etc. This can all be very valuable information when deciding if this is a seizure or not.
I hope you find some help with this...I can relate to your hating this, no one likes to feel out of control. Let us know how you make out at your next neuro appointment regarding this and I hope you get some results.
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
I am back and feeling a bit better today,..hope it lasts! Anyway, I agree about your hesitancy to talk to the doc about the internet. They tend to close up as soon as you mention it and they never seem to forget! frustrating!! Why don 't you tell the doc that you have made a new friend that has SPMS and you are wondering if perhaps an MRI of your brain might be advantageous for finding out if there is more going on than what he has seen so far? You can use any reason you feel comfortable with but I think you need to put a bit of pressure on the neuro...he sounds as though he isn't too anxious to further investigate your symptoms.
As to the thumb twitching...well I have been told that my right eye twitching prior to my pain attacks is not related but I say bull pucky! I can be positive that when my right eye twitches I will have an attack within at least the next 12 hours. Needless to say, my right eye twitching is just about the symptome I hate the most. Wouldn't hurt to ask the neuro about it...have you had a full neurological examination? I think there is an example of one on the health pages...if not I am sure you can google "neurological examination" and find an explanation that way.
One thing I have to say honey is that you have to realize that you are your own best advocate. You know what is going on in your body and you are the one that has access to a neurologist who you have to remember is working for YOU! If you stick to this attitude, you should get the result you need. You seem like a smart lady and I wish you the best in your journey to a diagnosis! I am here if you need me and if you don't get answers from me by posting on here...send me a private message ok?
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
As to the thumb twitching...well I have been told that my right eye twitching prior to my pain attacks is not related but I say bull pucky! I can be positive that when my right eye twitches I will have an attack within at least the next 12 hours. Needless to say, my right eye twitching is just about the symptome I hate the most. Wouldn't hurt to ask the neuro about it...have you had a full neurological examination? I think there is an example of one on the health pages...if not I am sure you can google "neurological examination" and find an explanation that way.
One thing I have to say honey is that you have to realize that you are your own best advocate. You know what is going on in your body and you are the one that has access to a neurologist who you have to remember is working for YOU! If you stick to this attitude, you should get the result you need. You seem like a smart lady and I wish you the best in your journey to a diagnosis! I am here if you need me and if you don't get answers from me by posting on here...send me a private message ok?
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
My first thing was a seizure. I had an EEG and it came back normal, and they sat aroudn scratching their heads.
I'd had two MRIs that didn't show any epilepstic-type stuff APPARENTLY, but two weeks ago I had my 3rd MRI and the radiologist (different city from the first two) reported "bilateral subependymal nodularity" which, according to google, is a brain abnormality from birth and causes epilepsy in 80-90% of cases. Not sure what it does in the other 10%
Of course I am somewhat fascinated to know WHY the radiologists from the other city failed to notice this. If it is plainly obvious to the new radiologist (and he had the old scans and new for comparison) I might sue the b**tards for their incompetance and hell I've gone through nthe last 3 years.
I haven't had any further grand mal type seizures, but now am wondering if what I expereince several days a month, sometimes daily for up to two weeks, is some type of partial seizure. Or Migraine. Or MS. I don't know anything any mroe, other than I truly feel like I'm dying when it occurs.
here's what happens(I wrote it down as it happened yesterday)
Lightheaded, sort of "not all there" feeling
Fear
Off balance - trouble walking
Pressure feeling within head
ears block
Sense of doom
feel like will lose consciousness - have great trouble concentrating
nausea
hot all over, mainly in head
Gradual return to "normal"
When it passes I am cold and super tired.
This goes over a period of 30 minutes to and hour. I HATE it.
I'd had two MRIs that didn't show any epilepstic-type stuff APPARENTLY, but two weeks ago I had my 3rd MRI and the radiologist (different city from the first two) reported "bilateral subependymal nodularity" which, according to google, is a brain abnormality from birth and causes epilepsy in 80-90% of cases. Not sure what it does in the other 10%
Of course I am somewhat fascinated to know WHY the radiologists from the other city failed to notice this. If it is plainly obvious to the new radiologist (and he had the old scans and new for comparison) I might sue the b**tards for their incompetance and hell I've gone through nthe last 3 years.
I haven't had any further grand mal type seizures, but now am wondering if what I expereince several days a month, sometimes daily for up to two weeks, is some type of partial seizure. Or Migraine. Or MS. I don't know anything any mroe, other than I truly feel like I'm dying when it occurs.
here's what happens(I wrote it down as it happened yesterday)
Lightheaded, sort of "not all there" feeling
Fear
Off balance - trouble walking
Pressure feeling within head
ears block
Sense of doom
feel like will lose consciousness - have great trouble concentrating
nausea
hot all over, mainly in head
Gradual return to "normal"
When it passes I am cold and super tired.
This goes over a period of 30 minutes to and hour. I HATE it.
I'll get back to you tomorrow ok? I am baffed (done for) for tonight and not feeling too great so I think I should just relax for a while. I promise I will get back to you though ok?
Talk Tomorrow|!
Hugs,
Rena
Talk Tomorrow|!
Hugs,
Rena
I wish I felt comfortable with my neuro! He did not order a new MRI of my brain, he looked at the first one I had in 2008, which was one month after I had my slurring episode. When he tested my reflexes in my knees, they were hyperreflexive and he said, "I want to get a lumbar MRI done " ... well it was done and he saw nothing. I have not had any new MRI's, the 3 neuros I had all looked at the same one. I actually see him on the 18th of this month, I am actually afraid to mention anything I read on the internet because they all think you are looking for a problem. or for the big MS diagnosis.
I have literally had 5 seperate episodes of speech slurring over the past 15 years. I used to think I just had a lazy tongue,, i would laugh it off when it happened because it didnt happen for longer than a day, then it lasted for one week 5years later, then two years later for 1 and 1/2 weeks then again for 2 weeks 11 months later.
also... can a twitching thumb be a seizure,, LOL idk, it has been twitching for 4 months now, this last month not as much.
Thanks so much !! and yes we will be chatting again soon, Its nice to know there are people out there willing listen and not judge.
Lots of hugs!! Pamela
I have literally had 5 seperate episodes of speech slurring over the past 15 years. I used to think I just had a lazy tongue,, i would laugh it off when it happened because it didnt happen for longer than a day, then it lasted for one week 5years later, then two years later for 1 and 1/2 weeks then again for 2 weeks 11 months later.
also... can a twitching thumb be a seizure,, LOL idk, it has been twitching for 4 months now, this last month not as much.
Thanks so much !! and yes we will be chatting again soon, Its nice to know there are people out there willing listen and not judge.
Lots of hugs!! Pamela
Rena,
I have not had any seizures, but one Neuro did an EEG on me and told me that it was abnormal in my right frontal lobe. Not to the point of seizures, but could develop them at some point.
Dennis
I have not had any seizures, but one Neuro did an EEG on me and told me that it was abnormal in my right frontal lobe. Not to the point of seizures, but could develop them at some point.
Dennis
Hi there...when I started having seizures they were Grand Mal and I had them at night so I wouldn't know I had them until my hubby or my body would tell me the next day! I would wake up with incredibly sore leg muscles from posturing and I always bit my tongue and broken blood vessels on my neck. So when my seizures were brought under control the only thing different was that I felt a lot better in the mornings!
An EEG can not "pick up" MS...it is a tool used to measure and record the electrical activity in our brains. I can understand your neuro getting these tests done because your electrical activity is not working right...hence the "misfiring".
I wonder if your neuro is going to have you get an MRI? An MRI would show if you have any lesions on your brain and if there are he would go from there. Perhaps you can tell him about the article that I posted here and ask if there could be any correlation between what he is thinking and what the article says. The other test that can be performed to rule out MS is a Lumbar Puncture whereby spinal fluid is removed via a needle in your lower back and it is tested for what they call O-Bands.
Either way, I think you are right that you will be bounced around until they settle on one diagnosis. Be prepared honey cause it can be a long drawn out process or it can be diagnosed right away. I hope you have a neuro you feel confident in and feel that you can talk to because that is what you are going to need. Please know that we here on the forum are behind you all the way and if you have any more questions...please don't hesitate to ask ok? I am not here all the time but I have a peek in at least a few times a week or you can send me a private message. I hope you have found this of a little help to you and I expect to hear from you in the future...talk soon!
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
I too have had problems with my speech but it is not due to seizures, it is a symptom of my MS. I have been accused of being drunk a few times and while it's funny now, it sure wasn't then! I wonder if your neuro has any plans to do an MRI?
An EEG can not "pick up" MS...it is a tool used to measure and record the electrical activity in our brains. I can understand your neuro getting these tests done because your electrical activity is not working right...hence the "misfiring".
I wonder if your neuro is going to have you get an MRI? An MRI would show if you have any lesions on your brain and if there are he would go from there. Perhaps you can tell him about the article that I posted here and ask if there could be any correlation between what he is thinking and what the article says. The other test that can be performed to rule out MS is a Lumbar Puncture whereby spinal fluid is removed via a needle in your lower back and it is tested for what they call O-Bands.
Either way, I think you are right that you will be bounced around until they settle on one diagnosis. Be prepared honey cause it can be a long drawn out process or it can be diagnosed right away. I hope you have a neuro you feel confident in and feel that you can talk to because that is what you are going to need. Please know that we here on the forum are behind you all the way and if you have any more questions...please don't hesitate to ask ok? I am not here all the time but I have a peek in at least a few times a week or you can send me a private message. I hope you have found this of a little help to you and I expect to hear from you in the future...talk soon!
Lots of Hugs,
Rena
I too have had problems with my speech but it is not due to seizures, it is a symptom of my MS. I have been accused of being drunk a few times and while it's funny now, it sure wasn't then! I wonder if your neuro has any plans to do an MRI?
When I was much younger, in my mid 20's, I had a grand mal seizure when I was giving blood. After running lots of tests (not an MRI), nothing was found. I don't think it's normal to have a seizure giving blood (I didn't merely faint like one doctor thought that I saw). A nurse was there, and told me that I needed to see someone.
Hi Rena
I have been diagnosed with having simple partial seizures. I am on Vimpat to control these seizures. My neuro will ask me how I have been since taking my medication and I dont really know how to answer him. Nothing seems different to me. LOL
The kind of seizures that I apparently have are they kind your aware of. I slurred my speech for two weeks. My mri was normal but my EEG was abnormal. I never heard of a seizure to last for two weeks. I have heard of status epilepticus before .
My neuro says my brain is misfiring and getting stuck. Huh? I believe that I will keep getting a different diagnosis until they finally hit the nail on the head.
Can An EEG pick up MS or is it only used to confirm seizure disorders? I have had 4 EEG's and all were abnormal
I have been diagnosed with having simple partial seizures. I am on Vimpat to control these seizures. My neuro will ask me how I have been since taking my medication and I dont really know how to answer him. Nothing seems different to me. LOL
The kind of seizures that I apparently have are they kind your aware of. I slurred my speech for two weeks. My mri was normal but my EEG was abnormal. I never heard of a seizure to last for two weeks. I have heard of status epilepticus before .
My neuro says my brain is misfiring and getting stuck. Huh? I believe that I will keep getting a different diagnosis until they finally hit the nail on the head.
Can An EEG pick up MS or is it only used to confirm seizure disorders? I have had 4 EEG's and all were abnormal
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