Seizure activity on EEG

[Ktp]

Hi,

I am hoping that someone can give me some general information. I am at a total loss at this point.

About 6 years ago I started having weird neurological symptoms. The worst being dizziness and trouble with my balance. Also, I would have shaky vision. As time went on I began to have some tremors also. I was diagnosed with a movement disorder. It does explain several of the wacky symptoms I am having but maybe not others. I had an EEG in the beginning and was told it was normal.

I have continued to have issues with my vision, feeling confused and a lightheaded feeling. Sometimes, I feel like I can hardly hold my head up. I would say a constant brain fog. I recently had another EEG and my doctor told me that it showed "seizure activity". He said that this may be why I have the weird head symptoms that no one can seem to explain. When I try and find information about seizures, it does not seem to fit my my symptoms. I am confused what "seizure activity" even means as this point. He did suggest I start Keppra. I have not done so yet but am planning on it because it could also benefit some of the movement disorder symptoms.

I know this forum is for epilepsy, which I guess I don't have. I don't know where to go to find information about seizures in general. Thanks for your time and thoughts.

KT

[Silat]

Well, simply speaking, a seizure is just "Abnormal electrical activity in the brain". Seizures can manifest in pretty much any way, from tiny and barely worth noting to extremely intense. All the EEG really does is show if there's abnormal activity, and in your case there was.

I'm curious, have you had any other scans other than an EEG? Like a CT or an MRI which actually shows the brain. EEG's aren't 100% accurate, so I would think they'd do other scans before coming to a conclusion...

[Ktp]

Yes, I have had a MRI. It was normal other then a lesion that seems to have nothing to do with anything. He said that it was enough activity to be treated and that I should be glad they found it. He did say it was "seizure activity" but obviously not so much that I have noticed. I will say that it seems the crazy head symptoms are worse then they have been in along time. I also have an issue with lighting. It makes me "off". I just don't know what to make of this all. It would be easier if the head symptoms were for sure related. At least I think that would be easier.

[julie wishes]

Welcome KT, it sure seems like you are describing some similar symptoms to me. I experience simple partial seizures. You should look that up. Reference three or four sites and see if your symptoms match. I know you are new and unsure, but this is definitely a place you want to stay connected to. It sounds like you should make a little list of questions for your neurologist to further clarify your status. Also keep a journal of these episodes (advice I got from friends here that has been invaluable). And do a search on the medication. Get as much info as you can.

I've been in this fog for almost a year since my car accident and concussion, with subsequent simple seizures. I hope you feel at home here and can find some answers.

[julie wishes]

If I had it to do it over

I think this is a thread full of good ideas. Maybe it will help

[Ktp]

Thank you for your post. That was a very helpful thread. Not a quick fix by any means.

I took your advice and did some research on the simple seizure. It does fit although I ALWAYS feel the brain fog and just not right. It gets worse and I will have periods of visual issues and a lot of the general "funkiness" that was described. The fact that I am dealing with some of these issues 24/7 makes me feel like my brain is damaged beyond repair. I don't know if that makes sense or not. It seems like once this started I have never been the same again.

KT

[Nakamova]

Hi KT --

If you are having Simple Partial seizures, then you do have epilepsy. Epilepsy is a catch-all category, with over 40 different kinds of seizures/syndromes. Most people associate epilepsy with grand mal seizures (where's there's loss of consciousness and convulsions), but the majority of epilepsy cases involve the more subtle kinds of seizures like Simple or Complex Partials or myoclonus (tremor or muscle spasm). If you're not sure what your diagnosis is, definitely talk to your neurologist to get more information. The better sense you have about what's going on, the more it will help to deal with the symptoms. And definitely explore the forums here and post more questions - folks here have a lot of experience with the quirks of the brain, and can offer anecdotal advice and support.

Best,
Nakamova

[Ktp]

Wow. I did not understand that about the epilepsy. I have a lot to learn. I need to ask more questions of my doctor. I was just in shock when I heard it and can't remember a lot of the discussion after those words. It is even more interesting because I do have myoclonus. That was my first diagnosis.

This whole thing is overwhelming.

I appreciate everyones help and suggestions!

Kt

[Nakamova]

Just to make it complicated, you can have myoclonus without it being epilepsy. People often have mycoclonic jerks when they drift off to slip. And hiccups are a kind of myoclonus too. What makes something epilepsy is if the symptoms are the result of abnormal brainwaves.

[Ktp]

It is complicated. I have the type of myoclonus that is bad enough it effects my walking. I have known that the myclonus was coming from the brain since I was diagnosed with it. I thought that was bad enough.

Do you have any idea how often the simple partial seizures become more severe? My doctor did say I am lucky that they found it now.

Thanks for all your help.

Kt

[Nakamova]

Unfortunately, everyone has a different trajectory with their seizures, so there's no way to predict if/when your simple partials might progress. If you can keep a journal tracking your symptoms that will let you know if the seizures are changing in frequency or kind. It may also help with identifying any triggers for your symptoms.