First Time Seizure

[schweppes1010]

Hi everyone! 27 year old factory worker from Maine here, and suffered my first seizure today. I have an appointment with a neurologist coming up, but I was hoping for some guidance from you guys as to whether this is epilepsy or not.

I was at work this morning, talking with a coworker when this rather dreamlike anxious feeling came over me, one which I had become familiar with. About a month ago, I had my first "strange feeling" and thought I was suffering from panic attacks, but it would appear that it is in fact mini seizures ( I forgot the term). When this feeling came over me, I would feel almost intoxicated. Things seem confusing, weirdly arbitrary, my stomach would flutter like mad and I'd break out in sweat.

Anyway, this time that "feeling" was following by a pretty heavy duty seizure, the way it was described to me. I instantly lost consciousness at some point during that "weird feeling" (I don't know precisely when) and that was when I began to seize. I went rigid, then into convulsions, foaming at the mouth, loss bladder control. I woke up in the hospital after my coworkers call 911. CAT scan revealed nothing, blood work was fine, organs fine, so basically they could find nothing wrong and referred me to a neurology and gave me a prescription for 10 Lorazepam.

Has anyone else suffered from this particular pattern of affliction, and if so, do you have a prognosis for me and/or advice? Does this sound like it could be epilepsy? Is there a chance that this could be a one time only thing? This is a pretty scary thing to discover about yourself 27 years down the road...

 

[masterjen]

Hi and welcome to CWE!
It is possible it was a one time thing. Anything that might have triggered the seizure that you can think of? Chemical exposure in the factory, reaction to prescription or recreational drugs, significant lack or sleep, excessive alcohol consumption or a combination could all have potentially led to the seizure.
Usually a diagnosis of epilepsy is not made after the first seizure, but if an EEG and/or MRI are abnormal sometimes the diagnosis is made after a first seizure. It might help your doctors if you were to find out a bit of your family history (eg. any history of seizures or other neurological disorders). Request an EEG and an appointment with an epileptologist (a neurologist who specializes in epilespy).
Good luck!

 

[Fedup]

schweppes1010

Welcome to C.W.E. Guidance or advice is something I would not give you but yes it sounds like epilepsy and that is some shock to the system, but in saying that it could be a number of things and it is wiser to wait for a doctor to help you and tell you what the problem is. I get it hard to see you foaming at the mouth though, it is not unusual for EEG or a CAT scan to show nothing, that does not mean you do not have epilepsy.

Is this scary, Yes but you will get through it. Tell your doctor your concerns and fears and work with him to discover the problem.

 

[valeriedl]

What you are calling a 'mini seizure' could be a simple partial seizure. During those you do not black out but people may get dizzy, confused, vision is blurred, see things, smell things, have weird feelings in their body and many more. Not everyone is the same when it comes to what happens during those so different people can have different things go on during simple partials.

Complex partial seizures can follow a simple partial seizure. You black out during those. Some people will just sit and stare, bladder can be lost, drooling and more things. Again everyone is different to what might happen during one.

During a tonic clonic (grand mal) you loose consciousness your body will shake.

If you have been having a lot of simple partial seizures then there is a good chance that you might have epilepsy.

Many people have had several different tests done that all come up negative for epilepsy but they do have it. It's not uncommon for it to happen.

Start keeping track of when these seizures happen so you will be able to tell the dr. This will help him more in understanding what is going on.

 

[Nakamova]

Howdy schweppes1010!

I agree with the others -- it sounds like you have been having more than one seizure, since the "strange feelings" you describe are also seizures (simple partial seizures). Partial seizures can take the form of many different kinds of sensory disturbances, so you might want to read about them here http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/simple-partial-seizures just in case you've been experiencing other kinds as well.

Epilepsy is usually the diagnosis made when someone has had more than one seizure, so that does seem likely in your case. Your neuro will probably have you do an EEG and MRI, and ask you about your clinical history to find out what other symptoms you may have been having. The good thing is that you're getting medical attention early -- it can really help to get a diagnosis and start treatment before seizures escalate in frequency, duration or kind. The other good thing is that you're getting informed. You've found an excellent place to ask questions (this forum) and get lots of support if you need it too.

Before you see the neuro, write down all your questions for him or her. Have a friend or family member come with you to the appointment so they can write down the answers, and ask additional questions if they arise during the appointment.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Autumn Breeze]

Welcome. I don't get here as often as I like, but you will find wonderful support.

Good luck!

sent from my Nexus One...typos are inevitable

 

[schweppes1010]

Thanks for the support everyone!

"It might help your doctors if you were to find out a bit of your family history (eg. any history of seizures or other neurological disorders). Request an EEG and an appointment with an epileptologist (a neurologist who specializes in epilespy)."

Good advice, will do

"What you are calling a 'mini seizure' could be a simple partial seizure. During those you do not black out but people may get dizzy, confused, vision is blurred, see things, smell things, have weird feelings in their body and many more. Not everyone is the same when it comes to what happens during those so different people can have different things go on during simple partials. "

Just looked this up, and it appears that I've been suffer from partial seizures in the temporal lobe judging by the symptoms listed. That is some bad fucking news lol... It would seem that I am suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy? I've had perhaps 10 of these partial seizures before my grand mal.

"I agree with the others -- it sounds like you have been having more than one seizure, since the "strange feelings" you describe are also seizures (simple partial seizures). Partial seizures can take the form of many different kinds of sensory disturbances, so you might want to read about them here just in case you've been experiencing other kinds as well.

Epilepsy is usually the diagnosis made when someone has had more than one seizure, so that does seem likely in your case. Your neurologist will probably have you do an EEG and MRI, and ask you about your clinical history to find out what other symptoms you may have been having. The good thing is that you're getting medical attention early -- it can really help to get a diagnosis and start treatment before seizures escalate in frequency, duration or kind. The other good thing is that you're getting informed. You've found an excellent place to ask questions (this forum) and get lots of support if you need it too.

Before you see the neurologist, write down all your questions for him or her. Have a friend or family member come with you to the appointment so they can write down the answers, and ask additional questions if they arise during the appointment."

Yup, you nailed it - partial seizures. I'm rather terrified of the implications of temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuron loss, and such. Or perhaps surgery, and the ensuing cognitive decline. Ugh...

I certainly have enough to tell my neurologist during my appt. I'm very glad I stumbled across this board: Epilepsy sounds like it really blows, but it's perhaps not so bad to be in the company of folks like you

 

[AlohaBird]

Epilepsy sounds like it really blows, but it's perhaps not so bad to be in the company of folks like you

Hah! I think CWE just found its new banner headline.
Yes, it blows but it does not go inevitably downhill. Some of us have lived fully normal lives with E for decades. With the right information, it gets better, not worse.

Welcome. :hugs:

 

[Nakamova]

I'm rather terrified of the implications of temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuron loss, and such. Or perhaps surgery, and the ensuing cognitive decline. Ugh...

It's normal to be terrified. But you're definitely jumping the gun here! None of the things you mention are inevitable. There are a lot of different meds out there that can treat TLE, and yours has been "caught" early, which bodes well. Surgery is usually the very last treatment considered when all other approaches have been exhausted -- and even then it doesn't necessarily result in cognitive issues or "decline." There are also complementary approaches involving diet and other lifestyle changes that can potentially help with seizure control as well. See http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

 

[valeriedl]

Most of the time people are given medicine to help with their seizures. It may not stop you from having them but you could not have as many or be as bad.

I was unable to have surgery so my neuro suggested I get a VNS (vagus nerve stimulator). I used to have at least 20 seizures a month that were pretty bad. Since I got it I have about 7 a month that are nothing like they were before. I'm still taking medicine along with it.

Not everyone's amount of seizures they have are the same. Some people may have one or two a year, or go years without having one. Others have them monthly.

If the neuro decides to put you on medicine it may take awhile to find out what will work best for your seizures to stop or decrease. The first one could work or you may have to try a few different ones. You might have to take a few different meds a day or you may only have to take one, again this is something that is different with everyone.

I'm very glad I stumbled across this board: Epilepsy sounds like it really blows, but it's perhaps not so bad to be in the company of folks like you

I'm very glad that I found this web-site, it's helped me out a ton. It's nice to be able to talk to people who deal with the same problems that you have. You can ask them questions and almost always someone can give you an answer or advice because they are dealing with the same things. You can't do this with someone without epilepsy because they try to 'think' of why something is happening and have their own 'answer' for it.

 

[N Sperlo]

Hey scheweppes,

You can really get some good advice here. I agree with what I've read from the others. We aren't doctors, so they should be your go-to guys, but there are some very smart people here.

If you poke around and read you'll see many different types of simple partial seizures. They are also referred to as auras. The range of "symptoms" is huge. You'll see there are some common ones. You may read some that define how you feel. Deja-vu or dizziness for example.

Don't jump to any conclusions too quickly before talking to your doctor. Keep in mind many of us like myself are in 100% control of our seizures after following the doctors instructions.

Even though my seizures are controlled, I like to visit the board often and chat. I hope that I am able to help others.

You're not alone. Feel free to ask any questions and join in on any conversation. Best of luck to you.

 

[Joyful]

N Sperlo, your seizures are 100% controlled ?? What excatly does that mean, and how did you manage it ?
Does this mean you have been cured of epilepsy, or are you on meds. to control it?

I agree, this forum is great! I wish I had found it yrs. ago! But I'm glad I came across it. It just feels good to talk w/ others who have gone through similar experiences.
I've been living w/ epilepsy for 35 yrs. and this is the first time I can really talk about my seizures and get help.
Lots of good advice to be found here!
Alot of good friendly people as well!