first seizure

[cwneese]

Hi I had my first seizure on 5/13/13 I was at a walmart standing in line waiting my turn next thing I know I'm waking up in the ambulance outside walmart and the medics tell me I had a grandmas seizure I was shocked.They wanted me to go to the e.r but I don't have insurance and insisted i drove home.

Everything seemed normal I had no weird feelings in the check out line when I awoke my muscles were sore and I noticed a slight rash both went away after a couple days but I still feel sick like an upset stomach I'm starting to think its stress and worry messing with my stomach.

I have an eeg this tuesday. I'm trying to think what could cause this I have hit my head in the past but that was awhile ago and didn't seem to serious I also smoke marijuana regularly I also used to drink and take a lot of xanex could it be withdrawal that caused this? I was never addicted I didn't take them everyday And now that I've been doing research I seem to possibly have other symptoms like my hand will twitch for only a second or I might space out for a few seconds and I have experienced dejavu before can I please get some opinions I'm really worried about this

 

[marty]

Gday mate ,
For me stress is a big trigger , it would be a good idea if you stopped driving for a while on your own if you don`t the specialist may cancel your license ( due to health ) also if you have a siezure whilst driving the insurance company may not cover you because you have had a previouse siezure , i hope that it goes ok with the doc .

 

[cwneese]

I haven't drove sense that day Im scared I will lose consciousness again I'm 23 btw and I know none at least most of you are not doctors I was just looking for comfort is it possible its because I stopped taking xanex? I would take 3 or 4 bars a night sometimes and should I quit smoking marijuana? Just because I've had dejavu before and sometimes space out and twitch rel fast does this mean I have E? I've asked friends if they have ever experienced the dejavu etc. Pretty much everyone said yes

 

[albie187]

Basically everyone has deja vu at some point.
When you 'space out' are you confused/disorientated? Are you able to respond to people? How long does it last? And do you remember it?
As for the xanax and marijuana, I have no idea, but if you're supposed to be taking xanax, take it as you've been prescribed. I'm not even gonna comment on the M.
Basically, yes and no. Some people have 1 seizure and never again. If you have another within 6 months then it's more likely something abnormal is going on. Get the tests done and go from there.

 

[cwneese]

Thanks for the replies this is stressful to say they least and no I am not prescribed xanex I abused it and would party hard on them and drink id completely black out not every night but often for a few months and that got me in trouble I read stopping cold turkey could cause it.

As for spacing out its kinda like I'll be staring at something and zone in on it I can snap out of it whenever I want and the dejavu is like once a month sometimes less all my friends said that's normal but yeah its all just speculation I really hope the Dr is able to tell me whatsup or that it won't happen again

 

[eclectic hectic epileptic]

Hey cwneese,
I was diagnosed with epilepsy a while ago and I smoked marijuana daily for the past few years. I asked my neurologist and he said there have been no major studies about marijuana affecting or causing epilepsy and he didn't seem too worried about it. I'm still having trouble controlling my epilepsy, as I still have breakthrough grand mals. I had a major status epilepticus episode early this January and the best idea as to what caused that was my excessive drinking during the holidays. So I have completely given up alcohol. I have also given up smoking marijuana. My neurologist was quite adamant about giving up drinking but was not too concerned about the marijuana - I decided to stop that so that I could have the medication I'm on(levetiracetam and lacosamide) do their job with nothing interfering.
As for the xanax thats something I have no history with. Is that something you're prescribed or taking for recreational purposes? If it's not prescribed I would probably try to cut that out. But the best thing is to be open and honest with your doctors, so they can give you the best treatment options. I hope things work out for you and things get better. All the best!

EHE

 

[BrandiBrat]

Hi and welcome to CWE. If I'm hearing you right, you are no longer using the Xanex and I commend you for that. That's a hard one to stop using on your own if you were physically addicted to it. Good for you! My brother used it for years and when he stopped cold turkey he had a seizure from detoxing unassisted. He ended up going back to his addiction and was murdered, so his story didn't end well.
I'm glad you are having your EEG and when you work alongside your Dr. be honest, just as you are here and he or she will be able to answer all of your questions. In the meantime, you shouldn't drive. Just to be safe!! Hopefully it was a one time thing...but you never know. I'm sending good thoughts your way!!

 

[Nakamova]

Hi cwneese, welcome!

So sorry you had a grand mal seizure. They do a number on the body, so it might be a few days before you feel back to "normal". The nausea could be a post-seizure side effect and may also be stress-related as you suspect. make sure you are eating and drinking healthily.

All the things you mention could be contributing factors in having the grand mal seizure:
-- head injury (even if it was a while ago)
-- recreational use of xanax, alcohol, and marijuana
- past history of potential partial seizures (spacing out, deja vu and twitching).

The EEG may help decide the next steps. If it shows brainwave patterns associated with seizures, the doc may recommend medication to help control the symptoms and prevent them from escalating further. If you can't afford medication, there are some resources that can help -- make sure to ask the doctor/hospital for options.

As with all the chemicals that can mess with the brain (including Xanax and marijuana) it's important to ramp up and/or taper off slowly. Abrupt withdrawal can be hard on the brain. Marijuana may help some people control their seizures, but since there's a lot of individual variation in response, it could also make things worse. See http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=marijuana

Best,
Nakamova

 

[knothing]

Just curious but can you describe your deja vu's that you have? There is difference between a 'normal' deja vu and an (can't think of the correct phrase) epileptic deja vu.

 

[bridge]

Welcome!!!! Sorry about your seizure!!! It could very well be from your head injury or the xanex or even alcohol withdrawal. I have only had a few in my lifetime... I did ask my doctor about the marijuana, he kind of laughed it off and said not to worry about that and that if it helps then go for it, as long as I'm not getting out of control. Lol. Like previous people have said, I would too advise not to drive, since it did happen while you were awake. The eeg may not show anything, just try to pay attention to how you feel and when you may start to feel off, or strange. It could be just a one time thing. There are tons of people on here who have been through this and will be able to hopefully mellow out your mind and worries!!! Best of luck with everything and WELCOME!!!

 

[Debbie41]

Hello. I can relate to you because I had my first seizure in the line at the supermarket. I don't remember it (7 years ago). My second was in the car on the way to the supermarket 2 years ago. I lost my driving license. It took me another 3 mths to drive after I got it back because I was scared to drive. I now work from home and get my shopping delivered. I drive a little but not as much as I used to. I hope things get sorted out for you.