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Anne

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My mom just called me saying that my brother--a 39 year old--has had another seizure today. She doesn't know what to do anymore. I told her I would start researching online to see if I can help. I'm not even sure that what he is having are seizures. I'm just trying to help by finding out all I can.
 
He was diagnosed with some cerebral palsy and petit mal seizures at the age of 4. He was on dilantin until a teenager and then was weaned off because he had been seizure-free for a long time. He has seen many doctors but they don't seem to think this is a seizure and prescribe prozac. It seems to help some but only if he takes enough to make him really sleepy all the time. Recently he was weaned from the prosac and given a medicine to take if he feels one "coming on". It works if he takes it soon enough. If he doesn't, however, he cannot help but have the "seizure". He first becomes agitated mentally, then his tongue swells, he starts coughing, begins to run back and forth and then to throw himself onto the bed. It lasts about thirty minutes.
 
Anne said:
He was diagnosed with some cerebral palsy and petit mal seizures at the age of 4. He was on dilantin until a teenager and then was weaned off because he had been seizure-free for a long time. He has seen many doctors but they don't seem to think this is a seizure and prescribe prozac. It seems to help some but only if he takes enough to make him really sleepy all the time. Recently he was weaned from the prosac and given a medicine to take if he feels one "coming on". It works if he takes it soon enough. If he doesn't, however, he cannot help but have the "seizure". He first becomes agitated mentally, then his tongue swells, he starts coughing, begins to run back and forth and then to throw himself onto the bed. It lasts about thirty minutes.
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Welcome! It looks like a complicated issue medically. I know that epilepsy can really be frustrating for a little kid. Your brother is definitely past that age, but maybe a lot of bad memories of discrimination or medication side effects left a lasting impression on him. I'd be curious if he is on a medication that's got side effects like you have described. I was on dilantin and it was fine for me. Yeah, side effects are drowsiness...but it's a choice to be slightly drowsy or altogether blacked out unless there is some success with alternative epilepsy treatments. If your brother isn't breathing properly for at least 10 minutes, damage happens to his heart and brain. That could be very critical. I hope you research his meds and figure this one out soon.
I know some anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDS) are used for bi-polar disorder. Maybe that is what doctors were trying to treat? The warning he seems to be getting is very common for epilepsy.
Frankly, like Birdbomb questioned, I'd also get another medical opinion. Whatever is being done for him now is not working.
And to be totally honest, I 'faked' a few seizures as a kid to weasel myself out of school tests. They'd sometimes send me home. It could be for attention.
 
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The dilantin didn't make him drowsy, but he wasn't having seizures for quite a few years so they weaned him off. They tried to treat the "episodes" with prozac. He has been on that and other similar drugs off and on for 20 years. That's what made him so drowsy. He isn't on anything now except this pill that's supposed to keep the episode from happening. What I want to know is: could these episodes be epilepsy, or are they more than likely something else? He doesn't lose consciousness with them and realizes what he is doing, but he can't stop...until it is over. He is seeing a neurologist, but she has never seen him having one of these attacks so she doesn't really think of them as something he can't control.
 
The following information is on WebMD concerning prozac:
Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other important benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially children/teenagers) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with the doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication (especially for children/teenagers), even if treatment is not for a mental/mood condition.

Tell the doctor immediately if you notice worsening depression/other psychiatric conditions, unusual behavior changes (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes (including new/worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile/angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, very rapid speech). Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed.
 
Thanks for answering. I appreciate your input, but he is not taking prozac. He was weaned off of it for various reasons and has not been on it for three or four months. I don't think he is doing this for attention because I've seen him having an attack, I was able to get him to come inside the house, but he just ran and ran. He feels terrible about them. He has been having these for about twenty years. He may go three or four weeks without one and then have two or three in a week. He has recently married and is embarrassed that this happened in front of his new wife. I really don't think he can control them and he is not the type of personality that would do it for attention.
 
There is no web information on 'nervepam'. You need to find out exactly what he is taking for medication. Either that is very, very new and not on the web or it has an alternative name that is not available.
A seizure is very embarassing at times depending upon who is around the person having the seizure. Some people mock them. Some people are indifferent. Some people really care like you and want to see the best health.
His recent marriage might be very stressful. That's something he could answer. For me, personally, stress is a MAJOR factor. I do a two mile walk to get rid of the stress every night with my dog who really loves it. It gives me a fresh perspective and I get exposed around many other people who have become my friends (also dog people). Pets are there for support and they love you unconditionally. Hopefully, he is not allergic to pets. My dog was fairly young and small when I first got her (she really grew!). We did small walks five years ago. We have worked up to a four mile walk. It feels great!
 
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I called my mom again and asked her to spell it for me. Turns out it is "nirazam". He only takes it when he begins to feel the episode coming on. It does seem to help if he takes it on time.

I'm sure marriage brings its own stress, but the frequency of the seizures hasn't increased, just the urgency of the desire to find an answer.
 
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I just did a web search on nirazan. It did not find any hits for drug-related issues or medical conditions.
 
Hi Anne, welcome to the forum. :hello:

There are many types of seizures. What you are describing sounds like a possible complex partial seizure.

If he is cognizant enough of one coming on to take nirazan (or whatever it is), he might be able to use of the Neurobehavioral / Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to short ciruit the seizure ([ame]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=projectmana0a-20&path=tg/detail/-/0802774652/ref=ase_projectmana0a-20?v=glance&s=books[/ame] is a good book on the subject).
 
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I did a google search on nirazam. That name is listed as an anti-anxiety drug in an unofficial site. It must be under a different name on the Food and Drug Administration or not approved here.
I totally agree with Bernard. The book on epilepsy on what meds to for you and what you can do for yourself is an excellent reference. I learned a lot from reading that one.

Well, I'm logging off now and walking my mutt. She's staring at me!
 
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Hi Anne
Welcome to CWE. I am glad that you decided to join us.
 
I re-read your original information. If your brother is taking a drug that is used as an anti-anxiety drug, then maybe this is an attempt to minimize a really strong aura or warning prior to the seizure. My aura is a scary feeling even though I was feeling perfectly fine prior to the aura. And, I can be conscious during the aura. During a bad seizure, I've attempted to run to a public bathroom (and made it there) to avoid being seen having the full blown seizure.

Even if he wanted to drive a car and have a 'normal' marriage, he is up for a challenge. He needs all the emotional and physical support he can get right now. It's great that you're his advocate.

Maybe your brother needs a slow release drug. Lamictal and Mysoline do wonders for me. Stress management sounds like a really great option for him as well. Also, it is a great idea for him to pre-count his medication if he is put on a regimen. I set alarms on my watch, cell phone and email as reminders. I take the stuff every day, all day and I'd rather peek into a pill container to see if I took it rather than attempt to remember it. I'd rather remember happy and more worthwhile things than ritualistic meds.
 
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:hello: Anne

Welcome to CWE! It's possible that your brother
has TLE with Complex Partials, has he ever been
diagnosed with such? What did the Neurologist
say? Has he ever been evaluated and checked
thoroughly and tested for it? Some psychiatric
medications can actually invoke or provoke
seizures ~ so it would be a wise move for him to
be checked and evaluated by another Doctor or
Neurologist.
 
Thank you, everybody, for all your input. I am copying it and mailing it to my mom. I also ordered the book and am having it shipped to her. I am going to try to convince her to take my brother to another doctor. I think the main problem is that all the doctors he has seen don't think this is epilepsy. They think it is anxiety or related to the cerebral palsy, but I don't think he has had an EEG since he was a child. I would like for him to see a doctor who is more familiar with epilepsy. In looking through this site I discovered that there is an Epilepsy foundation in Oklahoma City. That is only a few hours away from where he is, so I'm going to try to contact them.
 
I don't know what TLE with partials complex is, but I'll try researching it. Thanks.
 
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