Pain?

[CallMeSam]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place, but I'm not sure who else to ask. I don't know anyone near me who has epilepsy or anything close to ask.

I had four grand-mal seziures on 10/26 the first seizures I'd had since 07/26/07 after going off my meds by doctor advice. I know that's alot for the body to go through, and I've not had anymore since, but I'm wondering if it's normal for my body to still hurt as much as it does.

I woke up with a huge handprint bruise on my arm(done by myself) and have yet to be able to move that arm normaly without pain shooting from the shoulder down to my wrist.
I am going to my Neurologist tomorow, so I will ask him, but obviously I'm a bit scared still. I'm back on Lamictal full blast, he stuck me back on full dosage that night so I'm still adjusting to the meds again, could that be a part of the pain lingering?

Sorry if this is in the wrong place or if this is a repeat question...


-Sam

[Rae1889]

its posible you dislocated it

[Meetz1064]

understand the feeling sooooooooo well. 4 large seizures like that in one day is enough to tear ANYONE up, and damage is inevitable to that person's body. So YES, it is perfectly NORMAL that you'd still be feeling pain.....oh my...

You have more than likely dislocated your shoulder. Is the area swollen? Bruised? Discolored? You might also have bruised a bone or two, and you're going to need some xrays as well as an MRI.

PLEASE ask your neurologist to order these for you, and if they're not comfortable reading them, have them sent ASAP to a reputable orthopedic doctor, as you NEED to be seen ASAP.

I'm glad to hear that your neurologist put you back on meds so fast, but Lamictal is one that has to be done slowly, so please please please keep an eye out for side effects.

BTW, welcome to CWE, I'm sure you'll like it here. Lots of information abounds here--especially in the Library and the Kitchen. The Padded Room is great for venting, too. And we've all been there a time or two, at least.

Take care,

Meetz

[CallMeSam]

Yeah, I seem to be having more side effects this time then when he first put me on them two years ago.

The area isn't swolen or red, it looks normal and just like my other arm. I just can't raise it any further then paralel to the ground, and can't reach/bend it but about 1/4 the normal range. Hopefully he'll X-ray it or atleast do something about it. He is only avaliable ONCE a month here, and has to fly in on a plane for that one day. I'm so happy he does come here.

Thank you all for the warm welcome, it's so nice to be able to talk to anyone who understands what I'm going through! Three of my female cousins have it, but they all live a long way away. :-/

[Meetz1064]

You're more than welcome, Sam. We'll be here for ya, no matter what.

[RobinN]

Welcome to CWE Sam
Curious why your doctor didn't allow your body to slowing become adjusted to your meds again. I know my daughters muscles ache after a tonic clonic. She only has one when she has a seizure, not multiple ones in a day. Magnesium can be helpful to relax muscles.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Loudmouth]

IMO it sounds more like you have torn your shoulder muscle during your seizure, I've done that and its really not pleasent. It took me 6 weeks to regain something approaching full movement in it. I would still go get x-rays done to check for fractures but without the swelling or bruising it sounds more like a torn muscle.

[Nakamova]

I dislocated my shoulder twice during seizures. It definitely sounds like that's what's going on with you. The first time, I had no idea that my shoulder had dislocated, it just felt funny and painful. A cousin of mine figured it out, and we went to the ER so they could X-ray it, and put the shoulder back in place. I recommend you do the same. Even if the shoulder dislocated and then re-located itself, there may be damage that you need to be aware of. After my second dislocation, the cartilage was torn enough that the shoulder began popping out all on its own (seven times in the space of a year) and I ended up needing surgery to fix it.

Best,
Nakamova

[BuckeyeFan]

Hard to say exactly what happened to your arm. With that bruise, you may have pinched a nerve or cut off circulation for a short time. Pinched nerves can cause all kinds of pain. The other ideas above are quite possible as well.

Tonic-Clonic seizures put the body through HE**. There is really no exercise that compares. I always feel sore afterwards (though I am lucky it has been a long time). 4 in a row just makes it that much worse. I never had that many in a day.

I would suggest alternating ice and heat on the bruise area and shoulder. That promotes healing and will not damage anything further. In addition to the magnesium, I would suggest keeping all of your electrolytes up, especially potassium. Athletes burn lots of potassium and it is good for the muscles.

[Chris515]

That was a strange move by your doctor. If lamictal is started full dose you can get a very bad rash, that is why it is usually gradually increased.

It does sound like a torn muscle, but I hope you get x-rays done just in case.

Take care, hope you are feeling better soon.

Chris

[vapour]

When I went to my new neurologist back in July, and stated I had been on lamictal in the past with no side effects (that was brand name back then) she rapidly increased the dose.. if you have been on it before without hte rash and no side effects .. then you are supposed to be ok.

[tam bam]

I have never dislocated my shoulder during a seizure but I have dislocated my jaw during one and it is painful. One thing I have learned is the longer you wait to put it back into place the worse the pain is if you try to use it and it is tougher to get back into place without being sedated. They may have to sedate you to do this now since it has been a few days. Not to scare you or anything but actually the sedation will calm you down and it will be a lot easier to put back into place. I hope you feel better soon and please go get it checked out ASAP. Don't be scared it is not that bad for a doctor to do this. If you are sedated you will not feel that much pain but if the doctor doesn't want to sedate you, I would ask anyway since so much time has passed already. Take care and let us know what happens.

tam bam

[CallMeSam]

Okay, I got to see my doctor today. He was concerned and sent me over for a series of x-rays right away thinking I might have torn my rotator cuff. They sent the x-rays off to the Radiologists. We should know within the next few days (monday at the latest hopfully) what's wrong.

[RobinN]

I hope you get positive news.