Timing of seizures

[Falcon]

My mother seems to have her worst seizures at particular times during the day.

I don't believe that it's coincidence as has been suggested by doctors as both grand mals have occured at the exact same time and her partial complexes again have occured at the same time
.
Also her partial simples at at their worst around these times. There's obviously something going on in her body at these times.

Is it common for seizures to occur around the same times? I could set my watch by them.

[Nakamova]

There can be several reasons for seizures to hit at a particular time of day. If your mother's on meds, it could have to do with when they reach their lowest level in her bloodstream. But it could also be due to metabolism, sleep, blood pressure, blood sugar -- all of which have cycles that affect the body. What time of day is it? Does she have a set routine?

[Falcon]

She doesn't have a set routine,other than going to bed around 8-8:30pm.

She has been having some seizure activity throughout the day but it's definitely more noticeable and far more intense around 8:30 and 3:30.

She takes her meds at 8am and 8pm.

[Nakamova]

Studies have shown a correlation between the area of the brain where the seizures originate, and the time of day:

-- Occipital seizure occurrence peak between 4:00PM and 7:00PM
-- Parietal seizures peak between 4:00AM and 7:00AM
-- Frontal lobe seizures peak between 4:00AM and 7:00AM
-- Mesial temporal lobe seizures have a primary peak in the late afternoon between 4:00PM and 7:00PM and secondary peak in the morning between 7:00AM and 10:00AM.

It's not entirely clear why this correlation exists -- some combination of circadian rhythms (24-hour body clock) and external rhythms (like meals and sunlight).

[Meetz1064]

that those times that Nakamova listed are not set in stone....but they are a good average, based on many other E patients. However, I would consider that perhaps it has something to do with your mother's food intake, as well as possibly the serum levels of the meds, too.

Consider this. I am a celiac patient. When the neurologist last did a blood test just 2 months ago, only 1 of my 4 seizure meds truly measured up, although I take all 4 on time everyday, without fail. That's because my body isn't absorbing the meds correctly (still isn't) so my serum levels are all screwed up. Do you see what I'm getting at? If your mom is hypoglycemic, or anything of the sort, then it CAN cause a problem....

Start an E journal, and keep track of everything...you'll start to find a pattern. I have a terrific list of what you should put in it, if you'd like it. Just let me know, and I will post it for you.

Take care.

Meetz


PS. Welcome to CWE!!!

[Cint]

Studies have shown a correlation between the area of the brain where the seizures originate, and the time of day:

-- Occipital seizure occurrence peak between 4:00PM and 7:00PM
-- Parietal seizures peak between 4:00AM and 7:00AM
-- Frontal lobe seizures peak between 4:00AM and 7:00AM
-- Mesial temporal lobe seizures have a primary peak in the late afternoon between 4:00PM and 7:00PM and secondary peak in the morning between 7:00AM and 10:00AM.

It's not entirely clear why this correlation exists -- some combination of circadian rhythms (24-hour body clock) and external rhythms (like meals and sunlight).

Hmm...... I have temporal lobe seizures and I've had seizures morning, noon and night, this before I developed diabetes.

[Nakamova]

The correlation doesn't hold true for everyone -- especially because there are so many other factors that can affect seizures. But there definitely is a statistical link, and it's a little stronger for Simple and Complex Partials than it is for T-Cs.

[Blondie47]

Interesting!

I keep a seizure journal for my DD, 13 and here is what I have noticed.

Frontal: late afternoon and evening

Occipital: morning or evening

I do see a pattern in the occurance and severity of her frontal seizures in my journaling. Exhaustion or sleep deprivation (sleep over with friends) seems to trigger these within 24 hours time.

Thanks for the post

[dfwtexas]

What is doing when these happen? Most of my seizures happen at work...but I am photosenstive and think it's the lights at work that cause them

[mcg968]

Can you refer me to the studies that show the correlation between different types of seizures at different times of the day.

[mcg968]

Does anyone have a list of symptoms for each type of seizure and a list of causes for each as well? I am trying to create a chart that lists the time of day each type of seizure occurs, typical symptoms of each type of seizure, and possible causes for each type of seizure. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a friend who has a child with Rett syndrome that experiences all types of seizures and it would be great if we could zone in on the causes and prevent as many of them as possible for this wonderful little girl. She is unable to speak and her cognition is limited. I really would like to help her parents out with determining and preventing as many seizures as possible.

Thank you,
Mary

[Meetz1064]

will help. Follow this link:

TYPES OF SEIZURES AND SYMPTOMS

BTW, if I haven't welcomed you to the house already, mcg, WELCOME!!!

Take care.

Meetz

[mcg968]

Thank you for the wonderful welcome Meetz and for the information as well! I greatly appreciate it.

[mcg968]

Meetz,

Do you know where to find the research that shows the following:

Studies have shown a correlation between the area of the brain where the seizures originate, and the time of day:

-- Occipital seizure occurrence peak between 4:00PM and 7:00PM
-- Parietal seizures peak between 4:00AM and 7:00AM
-- Frontal lobe seizures peak between 4:00AM and 7:00AM
-- Mesial temporal lobe seizures have a primary peak in the late afternoon between 4:00PM and 7:00PM and secondary peak in the morning between 7:00AM and 10:00AM.

Mary

[RobinN]

Most of my daughters seizures occur during a time frame of 9am - 1 pm
She is hypoglycemic and I knew early on there was a connection. Still working on correcting the blood sugar levels.

Journaling is the best way to connect the dots.

[Meetz1064]

me do some digging, but I know Nakamova has that information on hand. May take me a little bit, but I'll find it....

[mcg968]

Thank you for your response. My friend's child is now having AM seizures- around 7 AM. She said that her daughter had a stare and then her stomach began to slowly rise upward and then down. They just moved to a new house so we are not sure if it is the stress of change or something like blood sugars. She said it lasted around 5 mins.

[mcg968]

Thanks Meetz! You are all so very helpful and I truly appreciate it.

[Meetz1064]

It could be either. Have her start keeping a journal, including what she eats. If you want the specifics of what to put in it, just ask. I'll post what I have.

[mcg968]

That would be great if you could post what you have in the journal.