Both simple AND complex seizures?

[elizzza811]

I just saw my neurologist Wednesday and apparently I'm having both. I told her about an incident I had maybe a week or two ago in which I was OCD-handwashing and my right thumb started twitching/spasming like crazy to where I even had to take a break. She didn't even hesitate to call it a simple partial seizure since apparently there is a major nerve running through the thumb. And she said that to have both types of seizures going on, multiple types, is pretty uncommon. So there go my driving privileges for another 6 months. Am I the oddball here with multiple types of seizures?

One thing I did ask her was if stopping Klonopin abruptly (on my own) might have caused a lifelong seizure disorder, and she told me that no, it would not...that stopping Klonopin may have lowered my seizures threshold, but this didn't cause a seizure disorder...that I had it all along, probably why Klonopin helped so much.

So she increased my Lamictal, but quite frankly I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to 'grand mal' here in the future. Am I at a higher risk?

Also, one more question...if I ever do get my driver's license back will I have to retake the 'driving test' first? Also, will I have to have an EEG to prove I'm seizure-free? I ask because I got a state ID card, and there was some confusion there as to which box I should check off.

 

[epileric]

I never thought it was unusual to have both complex & partial seizures. My neurologist said it was very common.

I have both & never thought it unusual among those with E.

I tend to agree with your neuro that stopping your meds abruptly probably didn't cause your seizures but likely triggered a seizure.\

As far as your license, most states/provinces use a doctors note after a certain amount of time before giving back a license though that might vary from state to state. You'd be best to check with whoever regulates driving in your state to find out if you need to take the test again.

 

[Endless]

Hi, Elizza,

I have both simple and complex partials, too. Often times a simple partial will happen right before a complex partial.

About driving. Here are some links to the driving laws, by state.
http://www.epilepsy.com/EPILEPSY/rights_driving

 

[elizzza811]

At first my neurologist said that having both types was 'rare', and then corrected herself and said they were 'uncommon'...that's all I know. She did say I was having multiple types of seizures though...are there only simples and complexes? (And tonic clonics, of course.)

I'm glad I probably won't have to retake the driving test though.

 

[momof3boys]

Im 30, but all my life had complex partials and grand mals. In March, I had a VEEG and when taken abruptly off my Keppra XR and Carbatrol ER, a day later I started having simple partial seizures. During the first two weeks after I was put back on the Keppra XR, and not been put back on the Carbatrol, I had alot of simple partial seizures and then at one time they turned into a complex partial seizure. So IMO, I dont think its rare to have both simple and partial seizures.

 

[Endless]

Hello, Elizzza,

There are LOTS of kinds of seizures - over 40. Here are some links that explain them:

PLease note the following in the International Classification of Seizure Types:

B Complex partial seizures - consciousness is impaired (Older terms: temporal lobe or psychomotor seizures)
1 Simple partial onset, followed by impairment of consciousness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure_typeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure_typeshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seizure_types


http://www.epilepsy.com/discussion/968069

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/types_seizures

 

[Cint]

I agree with Eric, Endless, and Momof3boys, having SP and CP seizures are very common. Some neuros claim that the SP's are actually "auras". There are multiple types of epilepsy/seizures and I also have experienced SP, CP, and TC. I've tried numerous medications, had brain surgery and now have the VNS to control seizures.

 

[elizzza811]

My neurologist did say, after she corrected herself and changed her 'rare' to 'uncommon', that I was probably having so many types of seizures because I'd gone undiagnosed for so long...so perhaps I misunderstood her. I did ask my fiance though if I'd understood her correctly, and he said I had...so I don't know now.

Looking at the list of various 'seizure types' though, I'm beginning to worry. I mentioned my unprovoked 'sweat attacks', often unrelated to temperature. I mentioned to her that since this all of this had started (seizures) I've had difficulty reaching climax. I brought up my pinpoint pupils.

And some seizure types seem to affect the autonomic nervous system which includes...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomic_nervous_system

The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils, micturition (urination), and sexual arousal.

...?...

I sweat on and off (and stink because of it) constantly, even when I should be shivering. I haven't been able to (easily) reach climax since all of this undiagnosed seizure stuff started. Sometimes, out of nowhere, I'll suddenly develop 'the hornies' (though I probably won't be able to climax anyway, so why even bother?) My pupils are so pinpoint that back when I was still driving I couldn't see the road at night very well because of their size. I wake up multiple times during the night to urinate.

Why isn't my neurologist recognizing that these symptoms are significant and likely related to epilepsy and not menopause, not my obsessing over pupil size, etc...?

 

[Cint]

I mentioned my unprovoked 'sweat attacks', often unrelated to temperature. I mentioned to her that since this all of this had started (seizures) I've had difficulty reaching climax. I brought up my pinpoint pupils.

And some seizure types seem to affect the autonomic nervous system which includes...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomic_nervous_system


I sweat on and off (and stink because of it) constantly, even when I should be shivering. I haven't been able to (easily) reach climax since all of this undiagnosed seizure stuff started. Sometimes, out of nowhere, I'll suddenly develop 'the hornies' (though I probably won't be able to climax anyway, so why even bother?) My pupils are so pinpoint that back when I was still driving I couldn't see the road at night very well because of their size. I wake up multiple times during the night to urinate.

Have you been in to see an endocrinologist? Sounds to me like these could be some problem with your endocrine system. I, too, have had hormonal problems, along with epilepsy over the years as well as Type 1 diabetes and have a thyroid problem, so I DO see an endocrinologist as well as a neurologist. The sweating off and on could be a thyroid problem or "hormonal", as well as the need to urinate at night.

What is an Endocrinologist?

What is the endocrine system?

The endocrine system is a complex group of glands. Glands are organs that make hormones. These are substances that help to control activities in your body. Different types of hormones control reproduction, metabolism (food burning and waste elimination), and growth and development. Hormones also control the way you respond to your surroundings, and they help to provide the proper amount of energy and nutrition your body needs to function. The glands that make up the endocrine system include the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus.

What is an endocrinologist?

An endocrinologist is a specially trained doctor. Endocrinologists diagnose diseases that affect your glands. They know how to treat conditions that are often complex and involve many systems within your body. Your primary care doctor refers you to an endocrinologist when you have a problem with your endocrine system.

What do endocrinologists do?

Endocrinologists are trained to diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems by helping to restore the normal balance of hormones in your system. They take care of many conditions including:
-diabetes
-thyroid diseases
-metabolic disorders
-over or under production of hormones
-menopause
-osteoporosis
-hypertension
-cholesterol (lipid) disorders
-infertility
-lack of growth (short stature)
-cancers of the endocrine glands

 

[elizzza811]

But what about this?...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomic_nervous_system

The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils, micturition (urination), and sexual arousal.

And I've already had my hormones tested when these symptoms were going on. And I've had my thyroid tested as well.

And how can endocrine problems cause rapid heartbeat? I even wore a holter monitor, and it was rapid...no cause ever found. A 'metallic taste-dizzy spell' episode was even recorded on my holter 'diary log', so I was probably even seizuring during the test.

I've had ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms...no cause ever found.

And how can the endocrine system increase pupil size, increase urinary frequency, and cause (one-time) urinary incontinence? In fact, I noticed a dilation of my one pupil at the onset of one of my seizures (in the mirror), so I know pupil size is related to brain activity.

Sorry, but I'm getting tired of having my sweats and sexual problems being blamed on my dwindling hormones, especially when doctors have been blaming them on my dwindling hormones for probably a decade at least, and especially since all of these symptoms could be an offshoot of seizures (according to the article above), which I have been diagnosed with. Why is it so unbelievable to my doctors?

 

[epileric]

And how can endocrine problems cause rapid heartbeat?

I've had ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms...no cause ever found.

And how can the endocrine system increase pupil size, increase urinary frequency, and cause (one-time) urinary incontinence?

You have to realize the ANS actually includes all the non-voluntary systems in your body such as the nervous system, circulatory system & the endocrine system as well as others.

The endocrine system is what controls hormones. Adrenaline & noradrenaline are only 2 of the hormones that can increase heartbeat.

It's hormones that also effect moods & anxiety (possibly due to those same 2 hormones) is just 1 thing that can cause gastrointestinal problems.

Hormones can also effects how your pupils dilate. Especially if you see someone you like or if you see something scary.

it may indicate interest in the subject of attention or indicate sexual stimulation.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupillary_response

As for urination, I don't know of any connection (but that means I just don't know)

 

[elizzza811]

You have to realize the ANS actually includes all the non-voluntary systems in your body such as the nervous system, circulatory system & the endocrine system as well as others.

The endocrine system is what controls hormones. Adrenaline & noradrenaline are only 2 of the hormones that can increase heartbeat.

It's hormones that also effect moods & anxiety (possibly due to those same 2 hormones) is just 1 thing that can cause gastrointestinal problems.

Hormones can also effects how your pupils dilate. Especially if you see someone you like or if you see something scary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pupillary_response

As for urination, I don't know of any connection (but that means I just don't know)

You response is filled with 'cans' and 'possiblies'. And in another thread you pointed out that correlation does not equal causation. How believable are 'cans' to me when I watched my right pupil (only) dilate a split second (literally) before my one seizure started? I wasn't frightened. I wasn't looking at someone I liked. (Well, actually I might have been...I was looking in a mirror.)

And if my ANS system does control and affect my endocrine system, how can you dismiss that seizures might be causing this endocrine imbalance (and thus, sweats and sexual problems)? And wouldn't it make more sense to get the seizures under control than to pump me full of hormones?...hormones which have been tested and are fine?

 

[epileric]

You response is filled with 'cans' and 'possiblies'. And in another thread you pointed out that correlation does not equal causation. How believable are 'cans' to me when I watched my right pupil (only) dilate a split second (literally) before my one seizure started? I wasn't frightened. I wasn't looking at someone I liked. (Well, actually I might have been...I was looking in a mirror.)

Correlation not equalling causation is exactly why I say "can" & "possibly". As well I'm telling you what the body can do. That doesn't mean that is what is happening in your situation. Wouldn't it be rather presumptuous of me to tell you what does happen in your body? I find it interesting that only one of your pupils dilated. I do know that my pupils dilate when I have a seizure though

And if my ANS system does control and affect my endocrine system, how can you dismiss that seizures might be causing this endocrine imbalance (and thus, sweats and sexual problems)? And wouldn't it make more sense to get the seizures under control than to pump me full of hormones?...hormones which have been tested and are fine?

First I never said that the ANS controls the endocrine system, it's the endocrine system that is a part of the ANS system.
Secondly I never dismissed that seizures might be causing an endocrine imbalance though I would question if that's what's happening or it's the other way around.
Third, I never said anything about pumping you full of hormones, I just explained the endocrine system. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

 

[elizzza811]

Secondly I never dismissed that seizures might be causing an endocrine imbalance though I would question if that's what's happening or it's the other way around.

Why? Are your imbalanced hormones causing your seizures? Or is the hormones-causing-seizure link only applicable to females?

It's usually male doctors, too, who liked to blame my (never proven) (female) hormone imbalances for my sweats, anxiety, and pretty much any symptom they couldn't explain. I guess they don't understand how embarrassing and frustrating it is for a woman to be dripping sweat all over her fiance trying to climax while he tries to 'hold off', if you get my drift.

 

[epileric]

I am not saying that it is one way or another, what I am trying to do is be aware of all possibilities without jumping to conclusions.

Please know that I did not mean to sound like I was blaming anything.

I am also sorry for how embarrassing it is for you & women to be in this situation but how embarrassed you are does not make the cause of these symptoms likely to be one thing or another.

 

[elizzza811]

Why am I even arguing this with you? Every time I do this with you my brain goes into a whirl. Are you disagreeing with me? Agreeing with me? Or merely standing in the middle? I can never figure that out.

You seem to always like to argue the opposition though. Have you considered law school? I'm actually thinking that maybe I ought to consider it, because as much as your posts irritate me at times, in some ways I actually enjoy the sparring. Not tonight though. My brain is still 'whirling' from last night's sparring match...

I will say this though...you're (irritating), but fun to spar with...