Is this normal ... why ... huge increase in partials

[sjconner]

I had a complex partial in late May. I was good all summer until October. I had a bunch of simple partials about a week before, what appears to have been, a focal motor seizure. I had to go to the ER because my arm not stop. I saw the neuro a few days later.

Now I am having what may be lots and lots of simple partials. Multiple times I have felt like I had bugs crawling all over me. I even checked my bed. Twice I have had pins and needles in part of the back of my thigh (some hurt). There wasn't any reason for me to feel pins and needles there; I wasn't in a position where anything would fall asleep. When I was playing a game with my students, I gave and explained the answer for the question we had just answered. I have been playing this game for over 6 years and have never, ever done that. I have had translucent yellow stripes in my field of vision. I woke up last night because it felt like someone was pricking me in the chest with a pin and then my chest would start sweating profusely.

What is going on? I see the neuro on Tuesday.

 

[Endless]

I'm so sorry you have all of that going on. It can feel really scary. Yes, simple partials can look and feel like that. Though when I hear about the stripes in your vision I wonder about migraine auras, too. Migraines and epilepsy and highly comorbid (they happen together a lot). Migraines don't always come with a headache. It can also be a drug side effect. Which seizure med are you on?

Your neurologist can definitely sort this all out for you. In the meantime just in case things have escalated, be careful. Keep yourself safe, please!

 

[Nakamova]

Unfortunately, there's no "normal" with epilepsy. There are so many different factors that it can be hard to predict what will happen for any one individual. If you can't come up with a clear answer for your recent increase in seizure activity (such as a missed dose or change in medication), then you may need to play detective: What's changed in October? Less sleep? More stress? Any changes in routine, diet, environment, or general health? Another possibility is that you may have built up a tolerance to your medication and need to make switch. Let your neuro know what's going on so you can get back to feeling better and in control.

 

[sjconner]

I can't think of anything different. So far my life has had several positive changes. My husband has decided close his shop and will no longer be self employed. He found a full time state job at the same school I teach at. We are going to finally be able to purchase the land we have been wanting so we can expand our property. I finally let go of my frustration with my boss ... I actually feel sorry for her and think her issues are kind of amusing (sadistic, I know, but it works for me). I haven't been on lamotrigine for very long; I started it in May.

 

[Nakamova]

Hmmm. Well, even positive things can be stressful... For whatever reason, it seems the lamotrigine isn't working properly (any hormonal changes? b.c.? pregnancy? those can make lamotrigine levels fluctuate) and you should talkto your neuro about making changes.

 

[sjconner]

Nope ... I am beyond having kids ... youngest is 8. No B/C. I am really frustrated. It should be a really interesting conversation next week. I really like my neuro; he is great at what he does. However, I am not looking forward to this visit. I have a feeling I may end up being a lab rat again. It's a good thing I already met my max out of pocket on my health insurance.