I am 21 and I had a seizure the other day and I don't exactly know why. My husband called 911 and I went to the hospital,they wanted me to stay but I just had a baby 1 week ago so I told them I had to leave to take care of her. When I was pregnant I passed out or so I thought,I went to the hospital for that too and they told me I was dehydrated but later my 3 yr. old daughter told me that I was convulsing. I have been trying to do my research to learn more about seizures and came across info about auras,when I read up about these I was amazed to read about that de ja vu feeling you can get just before a seizure(I had that feeling both times before each of my seizures). Another thing that is wierd is that I have had auras my whole life since I was a kid I just thought it was anxiety. I never had a seizure to follow until last month(when I was pregnant). I guess I'm just interested in finding out what could be causing these seizures and why after years of having auras why now am I having seizures? If anyone has any info they could share that would be great! Thanks and I hope I made sense.
New here and confused...
- Thread starter Dana.n.m.
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RobinN
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Hi Dana - Welcome to CWE
I can understand how concerned and frightened you must be.
First I want to congratulate you on your new baby. Boy or Girl?
Second I want to help you to understand something that took me a long time to learn. Everyone has a seizure threshold. Everyone. Yours is just lowered now for many reasons. One of course could be hormonal imbalances, another could be lack of sleep. Blood sugar can do the same thing.
Best to take a proactive course with them, so you don't have to get on the rollercoaster ride of anticonvulsants. First I would suggest that you read all you can on consuming the BEST nutrition possible for brain and body health. In fact the modified Atkins Diet is really well known for seizure control. Another is to consider vitamins and minerals that your body might be lacking. I know I had migraines for 30 yrs. the only time I didn't have them was when I was pregnant. I finally was told to try magnesium, and now it has been 4 yrs since I have suffered from this. My daughter also takes 1000 mg of magnesium because it acts like an anticonvulsant.
Intestinal distress is being researched and shown to play a role in neurological disorders. You might really consider this aspect. As well as making sure liver function is at its best so that hormones are working properly. Get rest (ya right... being a new mom), take naps when possible. Pay a mother's helper to come watch the kids while you rest. It is really important and if you aren't rested it can lower your seizure threshold dramatically.
If you want to begin some tests I would do some blood tests, and get a borderline sampling of where you are right now. However, after just having a baby, I am sure this will change over time. It is just good info to have to compare to other tests later on. In my daughters case the basic tests did not show her hypoglycemia. It took many years and me pushing them to do this test. Low blood sugar can cause seizures, and neuro distress, anxiety, etc.
I hope this helps. There is a lot of information here. Check out the library. It is important to know more than your doctors on the subject. You won't be steered off base that way. Ask questions, and most important give those babies a hug for me.
I can understand how concerned and frightened you must be.
First I want to congratulate you on your new baby. Boy or Girl?
Second I want to help you to understand something that took me a long time to learn. Everyone has a seizure threshold. Everyone. Yours is just lowered now for many reasons. One of course could be hormonal imbalances, another could be lack of sleep. Blood sugar can do the same thing.
Best to take a proactive course with them, so you don't have to get on the rollercoaster ride of anticonvulsants. First I would suggest that you read all you can on consuming the BEST nutrition possible for brain and body health. In fact the modified Atkins Diet is really well known for seizure control. Another is to consider vitamins and minerals that your body might be lacking. I know I had migraines for 30 yrs. the only time I didn't have them was when I was pregnant. I finally was told to try magnesium, and now it has been 4 yrs since I have suffered from this. My daughter also takes 1000 mg of magnesium because it acts like an anticonvulsant.
Intestinal distress is being researched and shown to play a role in neurological disorders. You might really consider this aspect. As well as making sure liver function is at its best so that hormones are working properly. Get rest (ya right... being a new mom), take naps when possible. Pay a mother's helper to come watch the kids while you rest. It is really important and if you aren't rested it can lower your seizure threshold dramatically.
If you want to begin some tests I would do some blood tests, and get a borderline sampling of where you are right now. However, after just having a baby, I am sure this will change over time. It is just good info to have to compare to other tests later on. In my daughters case the basic tests did not show her hypoglycemia. It took many years and me pushing them to do this test. Low blood sugar can cause seizures, and neuro distress, anxiety, etc.
I hope this helps. There is a lot of information here. Check out the library. It is important to know more than your doctors on the subject. You won't be steered off base that way. Ask questions, and most important give those babies a hug for me.
Last edited:
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Hi Dana --
For the first 30-odd years of my life I had the occasional migraine, and sometimes just the aura alone, but so rarely that I paid them no attention. And no seizures at all. Not until a perfect storm of triggers occured -- emotional and physical stress, low blood sugar, high intake of aspartame -- and I reached a tipping point of sorts. (Oddly enough since I started having the seizures, I haven't ever had the auras again -- it's as if the one replaced the other.) It seems likely that the physiological stresses that can come with pregnancy may have been your "tipping point". I think Robin's advice above is key: Be proactive about taking care of yourself -- your sleep, your diet, your stress levels -- so that you can avoid medication if at all possible.
Congrats on the new baby, and good luck in the months ahead! Good health for you and yours!
Best,
Nakamova
Nakamova
For the first 30-odd years of my life I had the occasional migraine, and sometimes just the aura alone, but so rarely that I paid them no attention. And no seizures at all. Not until a perfect storm of triggers occured -- emotional and physical stress, low blood sugar, high intake of aspartame -- and I reached a tipping point of sorts. (Oddly enough since I started having the seizures, I haven't ever had the auras again -- it's as if the one replaced the other.) It seems likely that the physiological stresses that can come with pregnancy may have been your "tipping point". I think Robin's advice above is key: Be proactive about taking care of yourself -- your sleep, your diet, your stress levels -- so that you can avoid medication if at all possible.
Congrats on the new baby, and good luck in the months ahead! Good health for you and yours!
Best,
Nakamova
Nakamova
Thank you soo much for your replys! I never knew that EVERYONE had a seizure threshold. I guess this could make sense considering I was extremely stressed during my pregnancy,this being my 3rd child (all of which are under 3!!) When I did go to the hospital they did say that my blood sugar was low,they never told me how low...before I left it was back to normal. I guess I just never knew that stress,lack of sleep and hormones could cause a seizure. You have really given me some insight to what could be the problem and I really appreciate it greatly. I have been afraid to go to sleep at night because of these seizures but now feel better knowing what you have told me! I do have an appt. with a neurologist on the 28th,is there anything specific I should tell him? and again thank you sooo much!!!
darcness
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When you go to the neuro make sure you tell him EVERYTHING that you can remember about the events leading up to your seizure, and the seizures themselves. It's best to have some one who is a 3rd party, ideally who witnessed the seizure itself, to go with you. It's really hard for you to recall things for obvious reasons. Usually some one looking on can tell the doctor much more detailed, accurate information. Plus it's always good to have another set of ears and another mind to think of questions that you might forget at the appointment or after.
I'm sure Meetz will give you the run down on the diary too. It's best to keep a very detailed diary of your daily life in order to identify triggers and things that coule be lowering your threshold. This includes, rest, exercise, foods, stressful events, etc. There's so many things that seem so minor until you start to see the little pathways that form a better picture and link these things to seizure activity. By using a diary it's easier to spot similarities and paralles between things that could be causing a problem for you.
Take your diary with you to the nuero's too. It's good information for them and you to discuss when you go. It might help you find things you can do on top of the meds or alternative to the meds if you want. It's always best to give yourself all the chances you can to get control.
I'm sure Meetz will give you the run down on the diary too. It's best to keep a very detailed diary of your daily life in order to identify triggers and things that coule be lowering your threshold. This includes, rest, exercise, foods, stressful events, etc. There's so many things that seem so minor until you start to see the little pathways that form a better picture and link these things to seizure activity. By using a diary it's easier to spot similarities and paralles between things that could be causing a problem for you.
Take your diary with you to the nuero's too. It's good information for them and you to discuss when you go. It might help you find things you can do on top of the meds or alternative to the meds if you want. It's always best to give yourself all the chances you can to get control.
*grinning*
Darcness introduces me again! LOLOL :woot::woot:
As promised, here is the contents of what needs to go into an E journal to help you track down the possible triggers. Keep in mind it really IS pretty detailed. Some people DO add how often they move their bowels, as they find it does trigger their seizures.
That said, here it is:
***************
1. Sleep. List how much & when.
2. Eating. List how much, when & what. It's possible to have seizures caused by allergies to food.
3. TV/computer/video games. Yup, they can affect you if you're photosensitive, so list when, what, and HOW LONG.
4. Menses (for women). Start tracking your cycles. CATAMENIAL epilepsy does exist, sometimes it's tied to ovulation, sometimes its right at the TOM. Also, LADIES, DO get a thorough check of ALL your hormones done—female, thyroid, and any others. Believe it or not, they do factor in on seizures.
5. Stress List when it occurred, and what happened.
6. Exercise List what you did, when, and any reactions.
7. Seizures/auras. If you have either, DOCUMENT THEM. Auras--note what they're like--do you smell or taste something that others don't? Hear something? Seizures--how long, when, where, what happened. If you don't KNOW what happened, get eyewitness accounts when possible and DOCUMENT THEM.
8. Smoking and alcohol. Ditch them--both are neurotoxins for our brains.
9. Meds (of ANY kind). List the dosages, and when taken.
Responses to the Above List
1. You MUST get 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep as a MINIMUM, no ifs, ands or buts about it.
2. Eating--one of the other mods, Skillefer, (we call her Skilly), promotes eating 6 small meals a day, using a dessert plate, filling it with a carb and a protein. Good idea, I think. However, some people, like me are allergic to certain foods. You might want to look into various diets. Ketogenic, Modified Atkins, Low Glycemix Index, Gluten Free Casein Free (see www.dogtorj.com).
3. Look into a glare screen for your computer or blue tinted polarized GLASSES (available by prescription from eye doctor). These can help cut down on seizures that are caused by photosensitive epilepsy.
4. GUYS--you may not have a cycle, but you DO have hormones. DO get your doc to do a full hormone screen, check thyroid, etc, just to make sure.
5. Use things like yoga, music, walking, whatever it is that you do to bust out your stress. Keep a separate journal to write in so that you can write out your feelings in--and keep it for your eyes only. Write it out by hand, two or three pages at a time. It helps A LOT. DO IT EVERY DAY.
6. REFLEX E can be caused by exercise, so DO track what you do. Keep in mind that you SHOULD NOT swim, bike, hike or bungee jump by yourself. Same goes for mountain climbing.
7, 8 & 9. 'Nuff said.
OK, the journal IS a pain in the arse. No doubt about that one. BUT it DOES help the doctors track things down.
DO keep in mind that hormones DO play into the equation ALOT. It's not a joke. Ask your doctors to run a set of hormone levels to see how they're doing. As a new mother, you're going to be tired. Make an extra effort to find some time to rest--I know it's not easy, I've been in your shoes several times, but DO make the time. It will help immensely.
Good luck, and take care.
Meetz
:rock:
Darcness introduces me again! LOLOL :woot::woot:
As promised, here is the contents of what needs to go into an E journal to help you track down the possible triggers. Keep in mind it really IS pretty detailed. Some people DO add how often they move their bowels, as they find it does trigger their seizures.
That said, here it is:
***************
1. Sleep. List how much & when.
2. Eating. List how much, when & what. It's possible to have seizures caused by allergies to food.
3. TV/computer/video games. Yup, they can affect you if you're photosensitive, so list when, what, and HOW LONG.
4. Menses (for women). Start tracking your cycles. CATAMENIAL epilepsy does exist, sometimes it's tied to ovulation, sometimes its right at the TOM. Also, LADIES, DO get a thorough check of ALL your hormones done—female, thyroid, and any others. Believe it or not, they do factor in on seizures.
5. Stress List when it occurred, and what happened.
6. Exercise List what you did, when, and any reactions.
7. Seizures/auras. If you have either, DOCUMENT THEM. Auras--note what they're like--do you smell or taste something that others don't? Hear something? Seizures--how long, when, where, what happened. If you don't KNOW what happened, get eyewitness accounts when possible and DOCUMENT THEM.
8. Smoking and alcohol. Ditch them--both are neurotoxins for our brains.
9. Meds (of ANY kind). List the dosages, and when taken.
Responses to the Above List
1. You MUST get 7 to 7.5 hours of sleep as a MINIMUM, no ifs, ands or buts about it.
2. Eating--one of the other mods, Skillefer, (we call her Skilly), promotes eating 6 small meals a day, using a dessert plate, filling it with a carb and a protein. Good idea, I think. However, some people, like me are allergic to certain foods. You might want to look into various diets. Ketogenic, Modified Atkins, Low Glycemix Index, Gluten Free Casein Free (see www.dogtorj.com).
3. Look into a glare screen for your computer or blue tinted polarized GLASSES (available by prescription from eye doctor). These can help cut down on seizures that are caused by photosensitive epilepsy.
4. GUYS--you may not have a cycle, but you DO have hormones. DO get your doc to do a full hormone screen, check thyroid, etc, just to make sure.
5. Use things like yoga, music, walking, whatever it is that you do to bust out your stress. Keep a separate journal to write in so that you can write out your feelings in--and keep it for your eyes only. Write it out by hand, two or three pages at a time. It helps A LOT. DO IT EVERY DAY.
6. REFLEX E can be caused by exercise, so DO track what you do. Keep in mind that you SHOULD NOT swim, bike, hike or bungee jump by yourself. Same goes for mountain climbing.
7, 8 & 9. 'Nuff said.
OK, the journal IS a pain in the arse. No doubt about that one. BUT it DOES help the doctors track things down.
DO keep in mind that hormones DO play into the equation ALOT. It's not a joke. Ask your doctors to run a set of hormone levels to see how they're doing. As a new mother, you're going to be tired. Make an extra effort to find some time to rest--I know it's not easy, I've been in your shoes several times, but DO make the time. It will help immensely.
Good luck, and take care.
Meetz
:rock:
darcness
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I'll just consider myself you're "opener" if you will.
I gotta soften them up until the heavy hitters come in. I'm just a noob to all this myself. :roflmao:
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Hi Dana --
I recommend that you tell your neurologist everything you can think of relating to how you felt before, during, and after your seizures. Ask a lot of questions. If your neuro's not being clear, ask again. I've also found it helpful to immediately afterwards write down everything that was said and done at the appointment -- names of medications & procedures, blood pressure results, recommendations, future appointments -- so that I can refer to them later for purposes of research and follow-up.
I recommend that you tell your neurologist everything you can think of relating to how you felt before, during, and after your seizures. Ask a lot of questions. If your neuro's not being clear, ask again. I've also found it helpful to immediately afterwards write down everything that was said and done at the appointment -- names of medications & procedures, blood pressure results, recommendations, future appointments -- so that I can refer to them later for purposes of research and follow-up.