Changes In My Epilepsy History

[Stinkpot]

I have catamenial epilepsy. I've had epilepsy for 11 years now. I'm trying to put the history of my epilepsy the best I can remember.

2002 - Simple Partials and Grandmal convulsions. Convulsions would occure suddenly without warning in unorganized patterns. Simple Partials seem to only occure in the early mornings, like when going to school. Simple Partials session would last about 15-20 minutes at it's longest. The simple partials were a sensation of "living a memory," pausing, distorted hearing, with a fuzzy feeling(like going up an elevator). The simple partial it's self was brief, barely a second long. No sounds or movements occured. These simple partials were not noticeable by others.

2004 - Convulsions started becoming in an organized pattern, usually around or during my period.

2005 - 2006 - Simple partials changed. I started stuttering and muttering. Some head turning would occure. The sessions could last hours. Now, provoked, they were most common around and during my period, but would also attack if after a nap or awoken early from sleep. Some times they would attack with no reason. I also started having complex partials. Complex partials usually occured during my period and right before a convulsion.

2008 Or 2009 - Developed new hybrid convulsion. Convulsion was the same as a Grandmal convulsion, except being concious during it, and no postical moment.

2010 - Was introduced to the best anti-seizure med, Depakote! Totally took care of them convulsions and complex partials, and simple partial sessions decreased majorly. Simple partials also changed. I no longer stuttered or had head movements. However, the simple partial it's self lasted longer than usual, and the sensation was more potent. Still, they were better than the old ones!

2012 - Simple partial sessions started to last longer slightly. I would make slight stuttering that sound like a squeaky door or whisper.

Late 2012 - Simple partials reverted to the old, sickening ones. Stuttering and muttering!

2013 - Simple Partial sessions started lasting longer. A Grandmal Convulsion recently occured. The convulsion lasted avarage time like the old ones(about 1 minute) with a 15 minute postical moment. The postical moment was strangly very rememerable. I also did not drool, had no headache, no muscle aches, and was able to function completely fine after the postical(I'm usually confused and very sleepy afterwards), unlike my former convulsions.

Now, I need an answer. Why does it seem like my Epilepsy is converting back into the old terrible days? Is it possible that the Depakote is wearing off? If so, does that mean I need an increase? Cause I actually had to be decreased on depakote the day I started taking it, cause it made me sick. Or could this be caused by another reason? Could it be hormones? When does perimenopause start? Even though I'm 26, is it possible that I might be going into menopause? Any other reasons will be greatly appreciated aswell!

Thanks!

 

[Nakamova]

Menopause usually doesn't start showing until age 45-55. Early peri/menopause would be unlikely unless you had a family history of such. It's usually accompanied by a drop in estrogen, which could actually help if you suffer from catamenial epilepsy. On the other hand, it's also accompanied by a drop in progesterone -- as a result, depending on how that balances out the estrogen, menopause can sometimes see an increase in seizures. But in your case, unless you've shown other symptoms of perimenopause it's unlikely to be a factor right now.

You should check in with your neurologist -- it does sound as if the Depakote is no longer effective, and the dose may need to be tweaked, or perhaps another medication considered. Do you track your seizures? Are there other factors that might be acting as triggers?

 

[Cint]

As Nakamova said, it does sound like you may need a new medication or the Depakote may need to be increased. Hormones can play a part in seizures if you have catamenial E, therefore you may need more than one seizure medication and add some sort of hormone therapy.

http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/hormones.html

 

[Stinkpot]

I also take Lamictal and Keppera too. I also want to know, how does medication stop working/wear off?

 

[Nakamova]

There are at least three ways:

1. Some folks tend to develop a tolerance to medications; the meds get upped each time until the dosage is maxed out and they have to move onto other meds or combinations.

2. The person's metabolism changes either through internal (such as aging or illness) or external factors (such as stress).

3. The person's seizure threshold is lowered, again in response to internal or external triggers. For some folks, their triggers and/or seizure patterns change over time, especially if they aren't fully controlled.

Another possibility could be that the Lamictal or Keppra are having adverse effects. For some unlucky people, the meds cause seizures. in addition, there's a known interaction between Depakote and Lamictal:

Before using lamotrigine, tell your doctor if you also use divalproex sodium (Depakote). This combination may cause skin rash, restlessness, seizures, tremors, muscle weakness, and staggering walk.

 

[valeriedl]

I've had epilepsy for almost 10 years now and your story sounds similar to mine.

At first I was having alot of very bad partials with a few grand mals. It took a few years and trying different meds to get this under control. I went from having about 15 seizures a month to around 3 a month.

I've noticed that over the last two years I've started to have more seizures a month. At first I was still having only around 3 bad partials but I started having seizures that I didn't realize were seizures until I joined this site. I don't exactaly know how to describe them but I just wouldn't feel right. Sometimes a little dizy, trouble understanding things or things just wouldn't seem right that I was doing or seeing.

Over the last few months however I've began to have at least 5 bad partials were I blank out. Some I'd shake during. I don't know if these ones are grand mals or not but they are very close to them. I'm still having a few of the ones where I don't feel right.

I see my neuro in 3 weeks so I'm going to see what he has to say about this.

As Nakamova said I don't know if he's going to want to try increasing the dosage of the meds I'm on or try a different med all together.

Through the years I think I've been on just about every med out there to see if it works until I found a combo that got things under control. Depakote, Tegretol, Keppra and Lamictal.

Do you keep a seizure diary as Cint asked? I keep mine in a date book. I write down things that I've done during the day so I can see if there was something that I did that could have brought on the seizure. I write down when the seizures were, what I did during them and how long they lasted. Also any after effects - if I had a headache, was tired and things like that.