Do aura's have a pattern???

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kashani19

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Do aura's have a pattern???
Hello. I have a 7 year old with a seizure disorder. She has aura's a lot. Too much in my opinion. She has tried Trilepital but was allergic, and has tried Topamax, but we just weaned her off because I felt like it wasn't helping the aura's. Almost making them worse. So now we have her on Keppra. 2ml in the morning and 4ml at night. I almost feel that her aura's are routine like. Let me explain: The last bout of aura's that she had were on January 10th, 2013. She has had no aura's and has been doing great until yesterday - January 26th, 2013. And she had 5 throughout the day, 2 at night in her sleep and has continued to have them today January 27th, 2013. She has already had 3 today. So technically she has gone 16 days with no aura. Prior to that, she had gone from December 24th, 2012 until January 10th, 2013. It is almost like routine. Each time we aren't sure how many days we can go without any, but it used to be like 5 days, then 10, then 15.
So anyone else out there that has aura's often feel like they are almost routine? Or like a pattern? So my daughter will go 16 days with none, but then aura for 2 days straight all day long. I hope some one can help me answer this question. I stayed worried all the time about the aura's and the 3 meds we have tried are just not working. HELP!
Thanks!
 
Call me weird, but I've noticed when I do get Aura's and a seizure, it's in the noon hour. Random chance that could be, but my last 3 seizures were all within the 12pm hour of the day. ::shrug::
Can you or your daughter describe they aura she is experiencing? Or if you know the focus of where they are coming from, perhaps you could narrow down a trigger?
Hope things settle down a bit for you.
 
Well, you know, auras are actually partial seizures, and I actually just wrote a post on this (link below), because I go through the exact same thing. I will go a week or two with absolutely nothing and think everything is fine, then in a couple of day period I will have several of them throughout the day - though usually sometime after I've been awake for a little bit. Mine are also generally around the beginning of the week/weekends (maybe the change in sleep routine?) and usually fall during certain times of the month, though this may have something to do with the menstrual cycle, and your daughter is a bit young for that still yet.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/forgetting-clustering-19428/
 
I second what RunningGirl said, and I have a more complete post in the thread she referenced above. I have never, in thirty years, found a specific trigger or a real pattern.
 
I also agree with the above. I have gone a month without an aura, and then I will have auras for a week straight. There seems to be no pattern. However, some meds have to be taken at the same time of day as always. I have missed one pill, and that is all it takes for the auras to start up. Jeff
 
You beat me to it auragirl. I have partial complex. According to my doc, auras ARE seizures. I know I'm not a doc, but I'm kinda severe, so take out of this what you will: there are really three phases: the aura, the seizure, and post-ictal. I know not all people with epilepsy have auras, but it just happen so quickly that it goes unnoticed.
I'm sure you've been told--but really--both you--and your child should take notes or keep a journal. Every little bit helps.

I wish you all the best!
 
Thank you all for the information. When things are going on in my life with my daughter (Who is 7 years old) I feel like coming here makes me understand more and makes me feel better, so THANK YOU! Yes she can describe them she says that: her left arm right below her elbow squeezes, then she gets a headache, and then her tummy feels like there are bubbles in there. Then it just all goes away for about an hour or so and then she has another one. I have started a journal! It really makes you realize how often she has them when you see them on paper. I have spoken to her Neuro so many times I am blue in the face - she has been on 3 different meds and with each meds, the aura's do something different. I am really hoping that the Keppra will just make them go away completely. She has been missing school and it really just rearranges our lives for those few days. :)
 
If you're looking for patterns, note eating habits as well. I recently weaned myself off of coffee. Eek! Doctors don't always think that such things will help, but my thought process was that I have t seen an anti-epileptic drug that is not also a depressant. Coffee would not be ideal. Although I doubt your child is big on coffee, green teas and the like are a great alternative. Also, I've realized over these 12+ years that blood sugar is a major factor (personally). Eat meals frequently. Instead of gorging 3 times a day, have 4-6 meals. It's difficult to get into the habit, but I feel that it helps
 
I agree with Anthropos on the diet.
Watch your dehydration level as well and your Soy-protein product intake.
You would be surprised at the level of people who have reported seizure activity when their intake of soy-protein is more than average. They end up having an allergic reaction in the form of a seizure.
Anyway, I'm sure you do not have a bodybuilder child downing soy-protein shakes, but it's a point to make since soy-proteins are being put into everything. =)
I'm trying to pinpoint a dietary/stress trigger myself. I'll keep you posted.

Take care,
Chris.
 
Thanks Chris,
Anything in excess can harm your body. Soy itself for males depletes testosterone (in excess). There is a similar opposite effect on women. That does not mean avoid it entirely. Apple seeds have cyanide, but if you swallow a few, they're harmless.
 
RunningGirl85 said:
Well, you know, auras are actually partial seizures, and I actually just wrote a post on this (link below), because I go through the exact same thing. I will go a week or two with absolutely nothing and think everything is fine, then in a couple of day period I will have several of them throughout the day - though usually sometime after I've been awake for a little bit. Mine are also generally around the beginning of the week/weekends (maybe the change in sleep routine?) and usually fall during certain times of the month, though this may have something to do with the menstrual cycle, and your daughter is a bit young for that still yet.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/forgetting-clustering-19428/
Click to expand...

same here, i thought i was totally done with them after starting a new med, it lasted for about 3 weeks and now im getting them again, they seem to be stronger than before, still not sure whats triggering them for me yet. and mine are between 1pm and 3pm, again between 8pm and 11pm. I need to pay more attention to the time. Oh food seems to trigger the midday episodes.
 
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