Can Epilepsy or Seizures Just Go Away?

[BrandiBrat]

Hi all! I have a question and situation that leaves me sooooo perplexed! As many of you know, I was diagnosed with E last year after a horseback riding accident where I went head-first into a steel fence. My seizures came with a vengeance 4 months after the accident and meds never eliminated them.

I was having several complex partials a week and many simples per day, with a secondary generalized once or twice per month (due to hormonal imbalance).

Nearly a month ago, my seizures stopped. With the exception of a few nights that would leave me feeling weird in the morning, I have felt great! Almost feel like my old self again and I've even returned to work full time. It's the weirdest thing!! I'm even off my meds....

My question is, is it possible for seizures to just go away after awhile after a head injury? Can the brain heal itself after a year of seizures, out of the blue like that?

I'm still not driving and I have an appointment with my Epileptologist next week, but for the first time ever I have nothing to report lol.

What are your thoughts and knowledge on this? Thank you so much for your opinions

 

[Nakamova]

That's terrific! Usually seizures don't "just go away" except in the case of childhood epilepsy, where kids can sometimes "grow out of it." You must be doing something right...
Did anything change a month ago? Any changes in your hormones, diet, routine, etc.? When did you go off of your meds? (There's a possibility that the meds were making your seizures worse -- that can happen for some folks).

 

[N Sperlo]

Just as curiously as they start, I believe they can go away. Be cautious though, because that doesn't mean they won't come back.

Very happy for you.

 

[BrandiBrat]

I went to the hospital for my video EEG almost a month ago and when I was pulled off all my meds during testing, I got better instead of worse. My doc said I have an epileptic brain (whatever that means lol) but no seizures happened because I improved. When discharged, I was taken off the Topamax and Depakote and given Zonagran it their place but only took it for a few days before I quit taking it too (I wanted to see if I could remain seizure-free without meds). I've been med free for almost 3 weeks. The only dietary changes I've made are to eliminate sugar (I am a cookie freak!).

 

[Cint]

I'm happy that you haven't had any seizures to report for a month, without meds. That is great! But be very careful, because if/when seizures come back, they do come back with vengeance. And since you've had some sort of brain injury due to the fall, there is a possibility they could come back in several months, since it's only been a month since you're EEG and your stopping the meds. It takes the brain several weeks to adjust.

After my surgery, I was seizure-free for 14 months.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

[BrandiBrat]

Thank you, Cint So, it sounds like by what you guys are telling me is that they never really go away....but might go into some sort of remission? I will continue to be optimistically careful and continue to count the days.

 

[CQ:)]

Brandi,
That's great you are currently seizure free & of meds, I hope you can remain being seizure free.

So, it sounds like by what you guys are telling me is that they never really go away....but might go into some sort of remission?

As we all know epilepsy is pretty unpredictable.
I think you already know my story how I had epilepsy as a baby, took TC seizures until I was 2 or 3. My drs thought I'd outgrown my seizures & I did go 21 years seizure free until they returned in 2002. When I 1st joined this forum in 2007 & told my story I had another member explain to me that epilepsy could go into remission & they thought it was possible my seizures had gone into remission.

 

[SlimBlue]

That's so awesome, really chuffed for you

I was always told '..BUT they could go away just as weirdly..' which I've always taken as a meagre plattitude, and as Nak said- it does seem that's mostly in children's cases.

However it is a very transitory condition, I know the types/frequency of mine has changed over the years, as has many others on here..

.. so who's to say whether your damage hasn't been finally 'compensated' for? One thing I've learnt from E is that the brain is an amazing thing.

I will continue to be optimistically careful

I think that's the best attitude you can have right now, so just wait and hope..

..and keep everything crossed

 

[cadsgj]

BrandiBrat, my wishes are huge for you here. Prior to my June seizure attack, I believe I was pretty much having 2 seizures thru my good years and 4 seizures on bad years. That was after being seizure free for a few years after my last surgery(s) in I believe 2003. I guess it is best to remember the period of seizure time and do your best to move forward. I do have my fingers crossed and great hope for you here. :cheers:

 

[Jeff]

In my case it was all about finding the right combination of meds. About five years ago I was having massive issues controlling my seizures, then my neurologist introduced keppra + topamax + epilim, and since then I've been entirely seizure free. And a few months ago, my neuro saw fit to ween me off the keppra, which I managed successfully. And we know about keppra's side effects.

 

[mspang]

After the head injury what needed to be done, did you have surgery?

 

[Sandie]

I believe anything is possible and I wish you all the very best in the world. I hope you remain a friend on this forum because we enjoy your friendship. Take care my culinary friend. x

 

[BrandiBrat]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and thoughts with me! I really appreciate it mspang, I was testing for surgery when my seizures subsided so now I'm not moving in that direction anymore....just waiting to see if they come back or perhaps my brain is healing? I had the second MRI as well as the VEEG and then my seizures settled down. After the initial accident, I had a CT and was sent home with a concussion diagnosis. 4 months later my seizures began and the MRI showed I had developed a bleed sometime after being released.
I had a myoclonic last night in my sleep that woke me up (I get the full-body jolts) but other than that, I've felt great! Got up this morning and ran 8 1/2 miles. It's the weirdest thing.... I've even pushed myself such as going out with friends and staying up late, working long and stressful hours, and training for my next marathon. Still no seizures. Believe me, I'm not thinking I'm cured or anything....I know that E is unpredictable and lifelong and can return at a moment's notice. I read an article about the possibility of remission after a head injury and am wondering if whatever got injured in my brain to cause the seizures has rectified itself. The brain is an amazing organ...weird, but amazing lol.

 

[MAB]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and thoughts with me! I really appreciate it mspang, I was testing for surgery when my seizures subsided so now I'm not moving in that direction anymore....just waiting to see if they come back or perhaps my brain is healing? I had the second MRI as well as the VEEG and then my seizures settled down. After the initial accident, I had a CT and was sent home with a concussion diagnosis. 4 months later my seizures began and the MRI showed I had developed a bleed sometime after being released.
I had a myoclonic last night in my sleep that woke me up (I get the full-body jolts) but other than that, I've felt great! Got up this morning and ran 8 1/2 miles. It's the weirdest thing.... I've even pushed myself such as going out with friends and staying up late, working long and stressful hours, and training for my next marathon. Still no seizures. Believe me, I'm not thinking I'm cured or anything....I know that E is unpredictable and lifelong and can return at a moment's notice. I read an article about the possibility of remission after a head injury and am wondering if whatever got injured in my brain to cause the seizures has rectified itself. The brain is an amazing organ...weird, but amazing lol.

I had partial seizures for a year starting in July 2010. I remember the time very clearly because they started right after a small stroke. I then had 2 major back surgeries in July 2011, was in the hospital 2 weeks, took months to recover. During that period I don't recall any partial seizures. I had energy and felt great. Didn't notice any problem until about a year after surgery. Now they are frequent and draining all my energy.

 

[BrandiBrat]

Hi MAB Sorry about your stroke, I'm sure that in itself was difficult to recover from. Seizures do drain all of your energy, don't they? I would be so tired that I'd wake up in the morning feeling more tired than when I went to bed. Do meds work for you?

 

[MAB]

Brandi, I was only DX'ed 1 1/2 weeks ago. I took 6 doses of Keppra and thought I would scratch myself to death. Had to take a steroid to stop the allergic reaction. Just started lamotrigine last night. I hope something helps. The stroke was easy compared to this exhaustion.