Does having seizures mean having more seizures?

[masterjen]

Does having uncontrolled seizures mean one is more likely to have more seizures? I have read mixed opinions about this, to the point that I'm not really sure if it's true or not. I have read statements along the lines of: continuing to have uncontrolled seizures makes the brain predisposed to having more seizures, when they are uncontrolled the brain will more readily have a seizure because the threshold for having seizures becomes lower, uncontrolled partial seizures will make you more likely to have a more serious seizure, and so on. Is any of this true? And if so is it true more so for some seizure types than others?

What led me to finally ask this are the responses to my question a couple of days ago that if working one day a week triggered seizures then I should cut back in some way (except for Cint's response which was basically to grow up lol - thanks, Cint you gave me my chuckle for the day).

 

[Nakamova]

It doesn't definitely mean you will have more seizures, but the risk is real. That's why keeping track of your seizures can be so helpful -- you can get a sense if they are happening more frequently, or lasting longer, or becoming more severe. If those changes are occurring, then you know it's probably worth taking action to prevent further escalation.

The particular effect of uncontrolled seizures leading to more seizures is called "kindling"; you can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kindling_model The effect is definitely one that shows up with animal studies. It's harder to quantify in humans, since you can't do a control where you basically tell people to leave their seizures untreated. As the wikipedia article suggests, the kindling effect may not hold for everyone, but it seems likely for many.

This study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15193778 posits that:

It is now clear that the brain reorganizes itself in response to excess neural activation, such as seizure activity. The contributing factors to this reorganization include activation of glutamate receptors, second messengers, immediate early genes, transcription factors, neurotrophic factors, axon guidance molecules, protein synthesis, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Some of the resulting changes may, in turn, contribute to the permanent alterations in seizure susceptibility.

 

[qtowngirl]

Does having uncontrolled seizures mean one is more likely to have more seizures? I have read mixed opinions about this, to the point that I'm not really sure if it's true or not. I have read statements along the lines of: continuing to have uncontrolled seizures makes the brain predisposed to having more seizures, when they are uncontrolled the brain will more readily have a seizure because the threshold for having seizures becomes lower, uncontrolled partial seizures will make you more likely to have a more serious seizure, and so on. Is any of this true? And if so is it true more so for some seizure types than others?.

Yes, this is all true. In the sense that its all possible, all likely, and depending on whether or not you have epilepsy as well as the cause of if there is one (70 per cent of epilepsy cases have an unknown cause). Are you on medication?

 

[Fedup]

masterjen

Having uncontrolled seizures can leave you predisposed to other seizures, yes this can be true as the brain becomes trained so to speak from the first seizure then the next and so on, like a domino effect if you like is the easiest way of explaining it. The response to your thread a couple of days ago from me was, if you want to work fine go ahead even your mother cannot stop you, I work, but first get the seizures under control as best as you can and if volunteering one day a week causes you to have a seizure does it not make sense to find out why or are you happy having seizures. The idea being you stop the job get things as controlled as you can and then pick your life up from there. As you asked uncontrolled seizures can be a predisposition to having more seizures but there is no concert evidence either way.

 

[qtowngirl]

True about the working fedup. My question would be, is there something at your job that could be a seizure trigger for you? Does someone cause you stress? Do you possibly overwork and get too tired? Skip meals due to a busy schedule? There are many things to consider, which I would consider before simply quitting.

 

[Fedup]

Thank you qtowngirl, perfect.

 

[masterjen]

Thanks everyone. I am on medication and finally have some degree of better seizure management, but complete control of them I do not have. I get only nocturnal ones now, mini partial seizures about 3 times per week and a full out one once per week. Believe me this is so much improved over what I was having. I just don't know where to draw the line and say okay, the control I'm getting is good enough. Is it best to aim for full control so my brain doesn't"program"itself toward seizures, or ???? I,'ve really been struggling with this.

 

[BrandiBrat]

Masterjen,
I am as confused about this as you but I have wondered the same exact thing. I just wanted to thank you for asking the question and will be reading the responses. I also commend you for volunteer work as well as your dedication to health. I know it's not an easy balance. Now, grow the heck up!! kidding, kidding! haha

 

[masterjen]

LOL! Thanks for the smile, Brandi.
But on a more serious note, I'm glad someone else has been curious about this, too. I'm looking forward to seeing what the responses will be.

 

[qtowngirl]

okay jen, just read the other thread you were referring to with cint's response. must say i agree with her, when one is an adult they need to make decisions for themselves. also, i asked legit questions my last post but you never replied so i'm not sure where you're really at.
tbh i don't quite get why so much emphasis is being put on this one day volunteer issue. why does it matter if it's volunteer or paid? working one day a week is working one day a week, volunteer can still be tiring and stressful, and again i ask the same questions as i did before. b/c on the other hand, if it is a very easy going, stress free, always smiling type day for you, would you really be questioning if it has something to do with the triggers, volunteer or not? i just don't understand why so much focus is centered around the one day job and your seizures and why you feel the need to make a decision between the two ??
i realize everyone's triggers can be different, but in general szs have main triggers, being lack of sleep, stress and alcohol, and those of us that are more or less veterans in this game can give you a pretty good idea of what should be investigated more and what should not be too worked up about. as cint said, if it feels good do it. if it actually causes seizures, then consider not doing it. other than that there are a lot more areas to focus on your epilepsy.

 

[masterjen]

Wasn't ignoring you Qtowngirl, I thought your questions were things for me to think about not answer. So to answer your earlier questions, things my body might perceive as stressful are the long day, and maybe having to get up earlier than I am ready to (and I'm somewhat restricted in just how early I can go to bed). Start later is great in theory but then the whole transportation issue crops up.
As to why there is a decision between seizures and volunteer, I don't want to be continuing to have seizures when it is detrimental in some way (hence this post of mine about does having seizures increase the likelihood of having more seizures).

 

[Cint]

What led me to finally ask this are the responses to my question a couple of days ago that if working one day a week triggered seizures then I should cut back in some way (except for Cint's response which was basically to grow up lol - thanks, Cint you gave me my chuckle for the day).

I wasn't really telling you to grow up, just get real.

okay jen, just read the other thread you were referring to with cint's response. must say i agree with her, when one is an adult they need to make decisions for themselves.

i realize everyone's triggers can be different, but in general szs have main triggers, being lack of sleep, stress and alcohol, and those of us that are more or less veterans in this game can give you a pretty good idea of what should be investigated more and what should not be too worked up about. as cint said, if it feels good do it. if it actually causes seizures, then consider not doing it. other than that there are a lot more areas to focus on your epilepsy.

:agree: There are a lot more areas to focus on. All I meant is that You make decisions that are best for you, since you are the one seeking answers by coming here. You know yourself better than anyone.