Is it possible...?

[juneauTracy]

First, a little history...
I was diagnosed with petit mal epilepsy shortly after birth, had semi-annual EEGs every year up until age 7 when the epilepsy disappeared. The doctors warned my mother that it might reappear when I went through puberty or if/when I became pregnant; it did not during either. So, first, I never had any follow-up EEGs because I never had what anyone suspected of epilepsy. Now, I am in my mid-40s; the last few years I have had a few episodes of a single 'jerk' in my sleep that is strong enough to wake my daughter if she is sleeping with me and she will be like "You did it again." I never attributed this to epilepsy. During the same time I have been having more and more disturbing episodes of short term memory/focus issues where if I get momentarily distracted, memory of whatever I was doing is simply gone. I happened to mention this to my mother and that I was going to the doctor to discuss these episodes; I had wondered if it could be caused by my numerous low blood sugar episodes. She wondered, instead, if my epilepsy could have come back. Initially googling has me worried. So, I joined here to get some input.

The question...
Is it possible that I could have had lived approximately 35 years after being told I no longer had epilepsy, have it come back, and never had a full, grand mal seizure? (I only had 2-3 in the seven years I did have it.)

Thanks so much for this forum and for your input and assistance.
juneauTracy

 

[epileric]

It's very possible. It can appear out of nowhere on people who've never had it before. The fact that you have had it before makes it more likely to be seizures but Personally I would suggest you get it checked out & see for sure.

 

[CathyAnn31]

Yep, I'm living proof.

I had a childhood form of epilepsy that I grew out of. The dr told my mom it could come back during puberty. It didn't. I thought I was Scott free.

Then when I was 39 I had two grand malls out of nowhere..

And here I am.

 

[JLogefeil]

First, a little history...
I was diagnosed with petit mal epilepsy shortly after birth, had semi-annual EEGs every year up until age 7 when the epilepsy disappeared. The doctors warned my mother that it might reappear when I went through puberty or if/when I became pregnant; it did not during either. So, first, I never had any follow-up EEGs because I never had what anyone suspected of epilepsy. Now, I am in my mid-40s; the last few years I have had a few episodes of a single 'jerk' in my sleep that is strong enough to wake my daughter if she is sleeping with me and she will be like "You did it again." I never attributed this to epilepsy. During the same time I have been having more and more disturbing episodes of short term memory/focus issues where if I get momentarily distracted, memory of whatever I was doing is simply gone. I happened to mention this to my mother and that I was going to the doctor to discuss these episodes; I had wondered if it could be caused by my numerous low blood sugar episodes. She wondered, instead, if my epilepsy could have come back. Initially googling has me worried. So, I joined here to get some input.

The question...
Is it possible that I could have had lived approximately 35 years after being told I no longer had epilepsy, have it come back, and never had a full, grand mal seizure? (I only had 2-3 in the seven years I did have it.)

Thanks so much for this forum and for your input and assistance.
juneauTracy

Yes, I know that one day someone could just start having seizures. I also know that it can all of a sudden just start showing up again.
Sorry I don't mean to worry you. Have you been stressed? Or notice or doing something differnt?
Good luck my friend

 

[CQ:)]

Hi JuneaTracy,

Welcome to CWE.

The question...
Is it possible that I could have had lived approximately 35 years after being told I no longer had epilepsy, have it come back, and never had a full, grand mal seizure? *(I only had 2-3 in the seven years I did have it.)

It is possible to go years without having seizures then have the seizures return.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy as a baby & had tonic clonics from 9 months until I was 2 -3. When I stopped taking seizures the dr thought I had outgrown the epilepsy but I was kept on Anti Epilepsy Meds until I was about 7.
I went about 21 years seizure free but in 2002 when I was 24 I started taking seizures again. When my seizures returned I took a couple of tonic clonics but then went on to take mainly auras & simple/complex partial seizures.
I couldn't get my seizures under control with the medications so was offered the opportunity to have brain surgery to help control my seizures. I had brain surgery March last year & I am currently over 12 months seizure free but I know there is still a chance my seizures may return again.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi juneauTracy, welcome to CWE!

As others have noted, seizures can be in remission and then return years later. The fact that you are having memory issues does seem suggestive of petit mal or other seizure activity. A sleep study might be in order as well -- if you are having nocturnal seizures or other sleep issues, that can be contributing to memory/attention problems during the day.

You mentioned low blood sugar -- how long have you been having problems with this, and are you being treated for it? Low blood sugar can be a seizure trigger, especially if there may be other associated nutritional imbalances or deficiencies going on. Another possible factor is hormonal fluctuations (thyroid, estrogen, etc.). You might ask your doc about getting tested and/or seeing an endocrinologist.

Absence seizures have in some cases been successfully reduced or controlled using the Modified Atkins Diet. If this is something that might work for you, it's worth discussing with your doc as well (especially if it might allow you to avoid anti-seizure medication). More info here: http://www.atkinsforseizures.com/

Best,
Nakamova

 

[juneauTracy]

Hi, Nakamova.

My low blood sugar is due to having reactive hypoglycemia; I had gastric bypass better than ten years ago. Starting a couple years after I had surgery, if I eat something I probably shouldn't be eating anyway (simple carbs), my sugars bottom. A few times low enough to be a medical emergency. One time I did have a minor seizure...hands and arms shaking and legs that would not support me so I fell; the EMTs said that I went into what they called a conscious blackout...basically, awake but no one is home (i.e. I did not respond). Most often I simply go into one of the nonresponsive states without seizing. However, I always simply blamed that on the low blood sugar and never connected it with epilepsy.

As far as my memory/focus issues, I do not know what is causing them, but they are getting worse...to the point that I am moving to have myself removed as my adult daughter's primary caregiver. On Easter afternoon, when my sugars were fine and I had eaten nothing that would have caused problems, I pulled into a parking space, sat and talked with my daughter for a couple of seconds, and got out to go around and put the wheelchair lift down...with the van still in Drive. In the past I ruined a perfectly good engine when I put oil in the engine and forgot to put the cap back on the reservoir; dirt got in the engine and destroyed it.

Some have thought maybe this is all due to stress, but I handle stress very well and this happens when there is no stress. Some have thought maybe it might be a start of menopause; I don't know. My mom mentioned epilepsy.

Oh, well. My doctor's appointment is the 25th; I guess I will just have to wait until then. However, in the mean time, the fact that it might be epilepsy is kind of freaking me out since I routinely drive to and from work.

Thanks for your reply.
juneauTracy