is this a form of seizure?

[debbie]

About 18 years ago my husband had a motorcycle accident which caused a brain injury. About 2 years ago he started having what the dr. called mini seizures and they put him on tegretol.  He went off it several months later because he didn't care for the medicine and didn't believe that there was really anything wrong with him.  7 months ago he had a big seizure and finally he realized that he would have to stay on medicine because because what happened made him realize that he was actually having seizures.  He still is having periods where he goes into a trance for several seconds.  Is the medicine preventing him from having a big seizure and is this something that will continue to happen?  He just told me about this yesterday, he said that he went into the trance 2 times yesterday and that it has happened quite a few times before.  I will be calling the doctor tomorrow to talk with him.  thanks

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I am a left handed 44 year old female with a genious I.Q. level although I don't feel that way anymore.

Thank you for all the time you've donated to this forum, you have helped many people!

[barbara to pain and lortab]

I also have seizures with the aura but leading to toninc-clonic activity, some partial, some generalized. My first seizure ever was last October while withdrawing from alcohol. I was treated as an outpatient by a nutritionist and had over 65 seizure like events. He thought I was exaggerating. I finally got a sleep study which revieled two generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

I saw a Neurologist a few weeks ago and he feels I have a seperate seizure disorder from just the alcohol withdrawal since I was off the booze for over one month. I am still off it at almost 60 days.

He did not feel an MRI or CatScan are necessary, but my psychiatrist ordered an MRI anyhow to ease my mind since I have a generalized anxiety disorder.

I would like to know if it is possible that all of those first initial seizures I was having back in late 1999 and early 2000 could have led to the seizure disorder and if I should expect it to continue or eventually go away on its own.

I am on Gabapentin and Klonopin currently to stop the seizures and for anxiety but would like not to have to take anything if it's not necessary. Do you feel over 80 seizures in six months could have caused any brain damage? I don't feel the same as I used to. I am clumsy while walking now and not nearly as sharp mentally although I know that could be side effects from the medications. What do you think?

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Debbie:

Certainly your husband could be having seizures, but I cannot answer for sure.  Yes, often times seizure medication will prevent generalization (grand mal) evolution of a seizure without being able to halt the initial phases of the seizure (aura or reduction of mental awareness).  I would talk to his physician as there are many new medications on the market that may prevent the "trance" states.

I hope things are corrected for your husband.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD