Still sorting all this out

[cargersmum]

Hello all,
I am posting from Australia. I am 54 and have had 2 tonic-clonic seizures, the first 2 1/2 years ago and the second 2 months ago.
Both of these were without warning and resulted in visits to hospital ED's - ( for head sutures and cardiac monitoring etc) - were totally out of the blue and are making me very anxious about another one.
I am on Tegretol now and am going through the no driving/no road riding etc period - as well as sorting out the side effects of the drug etc
I have had a CT, MRI and EEG with nothing found yet as to the cause of these seizures
I have been able to access lots of information from this forum which has been very useful as it took ages to get into a neurologist
Thank you all for your help in answering some of my (many) questions

[huskymom]

Hi Cargersmum!

It can be a hit in the gut when these happen and then you have to wait so long to see the doctor. Everyone is here to help each other, so never hesitate to check in and ask questions. Best of luck!

[jyearta]

I can image what it would be like to have E. hit you all of sudden as an adult.

I have -more than I can EEG, CT MRI. - where nothing showed.

It was at Emory in Atlanta - they have the equipment that finally showed where my seizures are located, that was in 2005.

I telling you this, just to say that if your test come back normal, you might want to look for a Epilsesy specialist or a teaching hospital.

[Nakamova]

Hi Cargersmum, welcome to CWE!

It's normal (and no fun of course) to feel anxious after a seizure, especially if the diagnosis is still in flux. It IS possible to have a seizure disorder without ever having confirmation show up on the diagnostic tests, so it's probably a good idea to stick with the Tegretol at least through the length of the non-driving period. If you have any problematic side effects from the Tegretol, ask your doctor about other meds.

I know you said the seizures were out of the blue, but sometimes there can be contributing factors that you can figure out with hindsight. Usually one or more stressors plays a role in the seizure. It can be physical, physiological, or emotional, and it can be even be a cause or situation that occurs a day or two before the actual seizure. It might be helpful to write down everything that you can remember about the circumstances of the seizures. Sample triggers are fatigue, food sensitivities/allergies, low blood sugar or dehydration, nutritional imbalances/deficiencies, infections, hormonal fluctuations, etc.

I hope you get some answers soon. We have a quite a few Aussie members, so you maybe you'll find some extra support through them.

Best,
Nakamova

[paradise survivor]

Aloha Neighbor!! I too was an adult when I was 'blindsided' by epilepsy, but I learned a few things mostly the hard way. The cause doesn't change the course of action, it is, therefore you must act upon it. Second, medication is way trickier that anyone lets on and so you need really honest and loving family to be able to say 'you are having problems since you started A,B,or C.'. Even after fifteen years now, I still get caght with 'is it me or the meds'? I would also recommend NOT going with the ' I don't need meds'. That one doesn't work out so good either...This site has been a life saver for me as well as many others because there are no 'wierd' questions or symptoms, I ppromise you somebody here has had it and been there. ( and they don't take off points for spelling ) Good luck and drop in whenever you need!

[PastorThomas]

Welcome! I am very new in here too, and also 54 years old like you. And use to leave in Brighton Vic. and most of all just been go through my first full blown seizures episode this year. So I do understand your anxiety! I am learning too! This site is amazing people are very driendly and someone always here to listen to you and try to offer good, helping words!
And no, no one cares about spelling mistakes, or not so perfect English like in my case