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searching71

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Hello,

I've thought for a couple months that I might be having seizures with the start of my migraines. That got confirmed about a week ago when my housemate discovered me seizing shortly after I'd gone to bed. I've not gotten any diagnosis yet. I just started a new job and my new insurance starts soon. I'm looking for insights on how to find the right general practitioner and neurologist for me. What questions should I be ready to ask? Where can I find resources to learn more about seizures and what might be behind mine? Thanks!
 
hello searching71

seizures and migraines are closley linked

I would think visit to neurologist is needed, EEG and MRI and with these results you can move forward..

warm welcome to CWE..
 
Hi searching71, though I'm sorry for the reason, I want to welcome you to CWE!

What kinds of seizure did you have? Was it the "classic" grand mal seizure (now called a tonic-clonic)? As Chaz says, migraines and seizures are related, and sometimes the symptoms can overlap. Things like visual and sensory disturbances can be a migraine, but can also be a kind of seizure called a simple partial. So it's possible your migraines were actually simple partials that for one reason or another escalated into the form of a tonic-clonic.

When it comes to epilepsy, the neurologist matters more than the GP, though it's nice if both are good listeners that are available by email if you have questions outside of your appointment. Ideally your neuro should specialize in epilepsy, and be affiliated with a comprehensive epilepsy center within a good-sized hospital. Where are you located?

Some good places to start for information:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/types_seizures
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_simplepartial

As for what might be behind your seizures -- you may or may not ever know what the primary cause is (most of us don't), but you may be able to figure out secondary triggers. If you keep a symptom diary for your migraines that can help. As with migraines, seizure triggers can run the gamut. The #1 trigger is fatigue. Here are a few others that can an effect on your seizure threshold: Food sensitivities or allergies (gluten, aspartame, MSG, caffeine, etc.), metabolic issues (nutritional deficiencies, low blood sugar, dehydration), hormone fluctuations (estrogen, thyroid, etc.), illness/infection/injury, disorders like sleep apnea, flashing or fluorescent lights, etc. Basically all kinds of physical, physiological, and emotional stress -- maybe the kind you'd get from starting a new job?

Feel free to ask more questions and use the "search" tab in the bar at the top as well.

Best,
Nakamova
 
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