Seizures

[dhouston]

I recently had an EEG and was told that during the test that I was having epileptic type seizure activity. I am now on Carbatrol twice a day. I will be having a repeat EEG next month. I am also experiencing bilateral spasticity. Is it possible to be having this type of activity happening and not be aware of it? I am a 42 year old female and I am also taking Baclofen for the spasticity. What type of test should I have next, if any? Does this mean that I have developed Epilepsy? Thank you for your help

[chicago56]

Seizures/Help
I was previously clinically diagnosed with Epilepsy, had (1) Abnormal Ambulatory EEG (in hospital) done in 92 which my neurologist said showed spike/wave and  generalized patterns. Over the years I've been on Tegretol, Depakote, gained weight, and then went into a hospital's "Epilepsy Center" where they diagnosed me as not having Epilepsy--due to not having a recordable event while on their monitors. While hospitalized, they did not perform an MRI, or PET Scan, No Polysomnogram or Sleep Study... only a 9 day evaluation was done and they reduced my 2500 mg of Depakote. I had a history of auras/headache before events, memory loss, and seizures would vary but would usually last from several seconds to longer and include complete vision loss and loss of conciousness, people would witness limbs "jerk".
Afterwards, would forget where I was, what I was doing, disorientation with surroundings, mental confusion. I began having blackouts and seizures which I was told were "sleep apnea". My next EEG (12/01) was abnormal (Right Hemisphere Spike/Wave and generalized) with Definite diagnosis of Complex Partial Epilepsy. Also have Severe Sleep Apnea- put on CPAP.
Presently back up to 600Mg Topamax, 2000 Mg Depakote, still having aura's, seizures where I lose conciousness,(3-6X week and more.

My sleep disorder Doctor is a Neurologist, suggested potential surgery, I can't continue living like this...cannot function as a human being or even think. Help appreciated.

[DGO1223]

Just a few comments regarding seizures.

I have had an EEG, and an MRI specifically for seizures.

Neither showed anything.  My Neuro told me that in many cases nothing showed.

She went by my symptoms and everything I told her, from the questions she asked me.

Some of the symptoms, cheek/tongue biting at night, waking next day with headache, soreness in neck, shoulders, irritability.  Sleepiness, hard to stay awake, etc.  I even wet the bed.

This was after many other tests, bloodwork, etc.

Then, when I started meds for it, she went by how I did on them.

She told me some people never had anything show on EEG's, or MRI's, and may never know the cause of their seizures.

Donna

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

Without knowing your entire clinical history or the results of your EEG, it's difficult to guess what this may be.  Need to know exactly what the EEG changes were and where they were located, before a more accurate comment can be made.

But what I can say is that with ??seizure activity on the EEG (doesn't necessarily mean you have epilepsy ), an MRI of the brain would be the next step.  Sometimes patients who have had a stroke or some kind of surgery or mass lesion like a tumor can have changes on the EEG.  Even migraine patients witho no history of seizures can have changes on EEG.  The repeat EEG is appropriate, but talk to your doctors about the possiblity of an MRI. GOod luck.