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Jonny

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Hello,
I was recently diagnosed with epilepsy.

I recently had a grand mal siezure, I was at home (thank god) and my wife is a RN. I was taken to ER and seen by a neurologist, who was concerned because I had a grand mal when I was 8. We are close to Rochester Mayo, and was refered to go there.

My visit there they did a EEG, which I had done when I was 8, and I "passed", and a MRI which didnt exist when I was 8, and they found lesions, they said the type of lesions that are there are caused by severe migranes, which I dont think I have ever had a migrane, and from having severe viral infections with high fevers, when a baby, my mom says I was always sick with a high fever.

Any way they started me on 500MG of Levetiracetam twice a day, its been three weeks and I still dont seem to have the energy I had before, I dont know if its from the pills, or the siezure.
 
Jonny

Welcome to C.W.E. The reason you are getting tired is a mixture of the seizures and medication. It could take you a while get over a seizure, say a day the medication would be the reason for the rest of the lack of energy but remember your body has to get used to the medication as well so you need to take this into consideration as well. This is something that you might want to bring up with your doctor.
 
Welcome Jonny,
Big exhale friend, you came to the right place. Everyone here either has E or has a child/spouse/friend/family member with E and the main goal is to help each other. We all agree this forum has changed our life, thank you to Bernard who started CWE (his wife has epilepsy).
Very relieved to hear your wife is an RN, what a bonus. Sorry to hear about the lesions (I'm with you, have one too). A little confused about the migraine thing tho - you would know if you've had severe migraines, maybe they could try and find another cause? One of the most important actions with epilepsy is to make your neurologist do his/her job, if you are iffy about what they say or don't feel they're looking into your issues/symptoms enough, ask for more. If they won't, fire 'em and get someone else (I know not everyone has that option, but if you can, great).
As for the energy, that's likely caused by both. A grand mal (esp. your first b/c there's so much mental confusion as well) can be killer on your muscles and energy level, and the introduction of aed's sort of throws your system into a 'wtf?' mode and it takes a bit for everything to settle back into place. Don't worry too much about it, but do seek medical advice if it continues for a long period of time.
Best of luck and keep us posted :)
 
Hello Jonny!

When I had my 1st Grand mal I lacked so much energy for weeks, probably closer to a couple of months, and that was when I wasn't even put on any meds. I think it was probably more of a mixture of the seizure itself in the early stages and then more to do with worrying a bit later. I just hadn't realised how much just one seizure could take out of anyone, least of all me as when 100% I run 40-50 miles a week and run competitively too.

Hope that has cleared up a few things.

Good luck & take care,

:)
 
Hey welcome, when had my first grand mal was literally zapped until the next week when I had another literally been zapped till now when seem too have lots if energy as meds are starting too work but still have my moments sadly alot of side affects are tiredness just how the ball rolls just give it time
 
Hi Jonny, welcome to CWE!

I agree with the others -- be patient, it may take awhile to get up to speed after a new grand mal seizure. If the meds are making you tired (and many of them have that side effect), keep track of how you feel; if that fatigue becomes a deal-breaker, ask your doc about reducing the dose or trying something else.

I also recommend that you write down everything you can think of about the hours, days, and even weeks leading up to the seizure. The idea is to see if there were any factors that may have contributed to the seizure. You may indeed have a lowered seizure threshold due to your childhood history, but often there can be particular triggers that push us over that threshold. Fatigue is the #1 trigger, others include: low blood sugar, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, food sensitivity (caffeine, alcohol, MSG aspartame, gluten), metabolic problems, fluctuating hormones, illness/injury/infection, emotional stress, and environmental triggers such as flashing lights or patterns. Triggers can changer over time, as can our sensitivity to them, and more than one can play a role.

I hope you feel better soon, and that you feel at home here at CWE.

Best,
Nakamova
 
Hi and welcome,

You have already got great advise.

Just want you to know you are not alone.
 
Hi Jonny

Did they have any answers as to why you had more than a 25 year gap between seizures? If your seizures are that infrequent is there not tge option of not taking meds? 20 years of pills is a lot of pills to take to prevent the possible next seizure in two decades time.

Did they discuss simple partial seizures with you and whether you have in fact had those since you were 8?

Hope you start to feel more normal as you get used to the meds but if not speak to your doc about changing to something else.

Good luck!
 
I didnt have alot of time with the doctors, it was the friday before christmas, I was still in shock yet and wasnt sure what questions to ask, I go back in two weeks. After doing alot of reading I do believe I have had partial siezures, still not very frequent.

I have no idea what triggered it. I was seen by Dr. Cascino the head of neurology at Mayo clinic, so I have alot of faith in what he says. I appreciate the feedback, as I am still learning. I am keeping notes, and questions that I will be asking when I go back for my followup.

The weird thing for me was before the seizure, the sweating, I was just having a casual day, watching football, when all the sudden I just felt incredibly hot, and sweating like crazy, I went and layed in bed with a fan blowing on me before it happened. After my wife said my entire right side of my body was really red.
 
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