Hello!

[Starpower]

Hi, I am a new member. I'd just like some advice, or perhaps to see if anyone else has been in the same situation as me?

I started having seizures as a young child (but I only had a few). I was told by a specialist that I had a very mild form of epilepsy, that wasn't even really epilepsy. I had a seizure when I was 15, then others when I was 17 and 19. After this they stopped for about 10 years.

I am 31 now and last year the 'dizziness' started again. I have a very high stress job and am also trying to complete a PhD while working so I immediately associated it with stress - I had an EEG done and it came back abnormal, I was diagnosed with mild epilepsy (no outwardly obvious seizures). I chose not to go on any medication, as it was quite minor (once a week I would feel dizzy for about 20 seconds). Very mild.

This is now getting worse. Sometimes when I'm presenting a lecture or a seminar, or in large shopping centres etc, I start feeling dizzy (it never happens when I'm at home or in a relaxing environment). This will happen about 2-5 times a week and is much more severe than before, but still no seizures (although it feels as though they're not far away).

I am going to ask my doctor for another EEG - but I'm not sure if this is the best thing to do? Any advice would be welcome.

I know my epilepsy is much milder than probably most people on this site, but it's starting to get in the way of things that are important to me so I'd like to find out how to manage it as best I can.

Thanks for any replies

 

[neilB]

Hi Star,

Well, from what I've read on this site some people have noticed seizures associated with stress. It sounds like you have a lot of stress at the moment so it may be related. Seizures also come in many different forms, although most people associate the "Grand Mal" with epilepsy there are simple partial, complex partial, and others. Are you seeing a neurologist or a GP? You'll have lots of help here too! Good luck with the PhD!

 

[epileric]

I would suggest trying to stop any amount of seizures no matter how few or how infrequent. Quite often peoples seizures get worse. Also having a seizure is like a memory in some ways. Every time you remember something different a pathway to that memory is created, but every time you have a seizure your brain can create more pathways to where that seizure was triggered.

If you really don't want to use medications then In my non-medical opinion I would suggest neurofeedback http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=eeg-neurofeedback but still keep medication as an option for a last resort.

 

[Endless]

Hi, Starpower,

Welcome to CWE.

Here's a link to different types of seizures. Take a look and see if you recognize yourself in one or more of them. Sometimes people are having more than one type of seizure and they don't recognize it, because they didn't know a particular sensation or incident was a seizure. Look under "epilepsy syndromes" for the rather long list. If you click on any one of them it will take you to a page with more information:

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy

When I was first diagnosed my epi (seizure specialist) gave me an EEG about every 2-3 months. Some were the kind where they just do it for an hour in the lab, one was an in-patient video EEG that lasted about 5 days.

Eric is right. The doctors strive to get you to a place where there are zero seizures. It helps prevent things from getting worse. The sooner they get the seizures under control, the higher the probability that you will be seizure free for life. Sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error to get the right medication that both stops your seizures and has tolerable side effects. Everyone reacts to each drug differently.

It's really important to keep a journal of your seizures, meds, side effects, seizure triggers, etc. Seizure Tracker online is an easy way to keep it organized. Your doctor will use the journal to help in the diagnosis and help determine which medication and how much.

Good luck with your PhD. I went to graduate school while working full time, and know how stressful and exhausting it is, and how little sleep, and down time that you get. I was exhausted and was a walking zombie for three years. Any way you could rachet it down for awhile? Are you still taking classes or are you just working on your dissertation?

 

[Starpower]

Thanks for all your replies.

I should have said in my earlier post that I am having seizures, but just not outwardly obvious ones. That's one thing I forgot!

I think from what you've said re: the brain finding pathways to seizures, this means that I should definitely request another EEG. It's been a year since my last one and my brain is definitely working differently! Medication is something that I don't really want to start, but if I have to I have to!

Re: the PhD - I've already decided if the EEG comes back with more serious results, I'll try to postpone it for a little while, just to at least relieve some stress while I'm possibly beginning medication. I'm also teaching at the university, so at the moment my life isn't ideal for what I'm going through.

Thanks again

 

[epileric]

Thanks for all your replies.

I should have said in my earlier post that I am having seizures, but just not outwardly obvious ones. That's one thing I forgot!

My seizures are usually pretty subtle, I've also learned to fake my way through a lot of them but that can change. I've since had more & more that are VERY conspicuous hence addressing the milder ones now can lessen the chances of that happening to you.

I think from what you've said re: the brain finding pathways to seizures, this means that I should definitely request another EEG. It's been a year since my last one and my brain is definitely working differently! Medication is something that I don't really want to start, but if I have to I have to!

It might be interesting but all an EEG can do is measure brainwaves & if there are any abnormalities. Often EEGs don't even pick up seizures. In my opinion weather your brain is misfiring at the same level or not it is treated the same way so I wouldn't worry about it unless your neurologist recommends one.

Re: the PhD - I've already decided if the EEG comes back with more serious results, I'll try to postpone it for a little while, just to at least relieve some stress while I'm possibly beginning medication. I'm also teaching at the university, so at the moment my life isn't ideal for what I'm going through.

Thanks again

That might be a good idea. This is just my opinion but I'd wait until you've decided how you want to try & control your seizures & see how that effects you. Things like diet and neurofeedback have much less negative effects than some medications do. For that matter everyone reacts differently to medications so see how you're effected by them first, but be ready to postpone things should you need to.

 

[Starpower]

Thanks for that info about the EEG, perhaps I'll just go to my doctor and ask him his recommendations re: seeing my neurologist (Seeing the neurologist is quite pricey, so I'd rather just visit him once and get more pre-info from my GP, which is free - I'm lucky enough to live in a country where most health care is free - I've never had to pay for anything except specialist appointments).

I'm definitely going to look into the diet options, as I'd already tried changing my diet to lose all high salt/high sugar foods, and carbs like bread & pasta (just in case that helped). It hasn't really, so if anyone knows of any good links that talk about the food to stick to when you have epilepsy, that would be very helpful.

Thanks again.

 

[epileric]

Check out this page with a list of alternative treatments.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=alternative-treatments

Also, in my opinion even though a specialist is expensive they're much more knowledgeable on the subject & can make things less costly in the long-run. The main problem is that they are mostly only familiar with medications & no other ways of dealing with seizures (at least in Canada & the US).

 

[Starpower]

Thanks for that, I'll have a good read.

I'm sure I'll end up making a neuro appt, thanks for your advice.

 

[epileric]

Just a little correction

Upon re-reading my last post I realized I'd put that neurologist in the US & Canada work using "mediations". I meant to type "medications".

I've since corrected it lol

And you're very welcome.