amdonquis |
Last Activity: 04-24-2012 06:05 PM
About Me
- About amdonquis
- Seizure Background
- I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 1977 at the age of 13. I'm the only one in my immediate family with epilepsy. There is a history on my mother's side; a few cousins were diagnosed between 6-7 yrs old, and by the time they were in their early teens, they had outgrown the disorder/seizures altogether.
My seizures are described as partial seizures that secondarily generalize. I have had many years of seizure-free periods, but I find that sleep deprivation has always been my biggest trigger. Also, when I was first diagnosed my parents and I made the connection that every time I had a seizure I had a cold or allergy symptoms. I've known for about 28-29 yrs that I can't take antihistamines. Nasal rinses and saline sprays are safe options.
I have now been seizure-free for 11 months, 1 week - result of a concussion. I take two anticonvulsants and supplemental Magnesium. (I am a renal transplant patient, and one of the immunosuppressants I take lowers Mg levels. My Mg was always 1.5-1.6, the borderline. One day, I was given oral CT contrast and began having "gastrointestinal" issues. When that happens, the level of Mg plummets. I had a seizure at the hospital, and when they drew labs, my Mg was 1.3. I take 400mg of supplemental Mg every day - prescribed- and now my Mg is b/w 2.0-2.1. )