Hi, I am new to this forum and am very thankful I found it. I was diagnosed with epilepsy as a child and battled it well into my adult years. Currently I have been seizure free for over 10 years but this last week have had a ton of auras. I believe the culprit may have been antihistamine in Claritan D which I've never taken before. My question is has anyone else had a similar experience with having so many auras without having a seizure and what did you do to get control again?
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new member with a question
- Thread starter smcherr
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Hi smcherr, welcome to CWE!
First off, as you probably know, auras ARE seizures (called simple partials). I assume by "seizure" in your post above, you're referring to a a full tonic-clonic where you lose consciousness. (Let me know if I've got the wrong idea here).
If the recent flurry of partials are the result of specific trigger (such as the antihistamine) then there's a chance that they may be a one-time "storm" that will move on, and that they won't recur (as long as you avoid the trigger). But if the partials persist, you might need to try medication (if you currently aren't on any), or increase your dose (if you are already on medication). Are you still experiencing them? If you are, are they increasing or decreasing in duration and/or frequency? Have you contacted your neurologist about them?
In the meantime, do what you can to stabilize your overall health by getting good quality sleep and eating and drinking properly. See http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/ for other tips and info that you might find helpful.
Best,
Nakamova
First off, as you probably know, auras ARE seizures (called simple partials). I assume by "seizure" in your post above, you're referring to a a full tonic-clonic where you lose consciousness. (Let me know if I've got the wrong idea here).
If the recent flurry of partials are the result of specific trigger (such as the antihistamine) then there's a chance that they may be a one-time "storm" that will move on, and that they won't recur (as long as you avoid the trigger). But if the partials persist, you might need to try medication (if you currently aren't on any), or increase your dose (if you are already on medication). Are you still experiencing them? If you are, are they increasing or decreasing in duration and/or frequency? Have you contacted your neurologist about them?
In the meantime, do what you can to stabilize your overall health by getting good quality sleep and eating and drinking properly. See http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/ for other tips and info that you might find helpful.
Best,
Nakamova
Nakamova - I had never heard that auras are part of the seizure until discovering this web-site. I do lose consciousness, (with convulsions) however, they became very mild prior to being seizure free. I am currently taking Lamictal and Dilantin and have had good luck with them. I am still experiencing them although today they are not as strong so far.
To be honest I'm a little scared about talking to my Dr. due to the possibility of losing my driver's license which thankfully has never happened. I have to travel over 40 miles to my job. But if they persist I will be talking to him. Thanks for your response and I'll check out the link you provided.
To be honest I'm a little scared about talking to my Dr. due to the possibility of losing my driver's license which thankfully has never happened. I have to travel over 40 miles to my job. But if they persist I will be talking to him. Thanks for your response and I'll check out the link you provided.
Smcherr,
Welcome! Sorry that you are having a recurrence of seizure activity after such a long period without them. That is always so scary and disappointing. I sincerely hope that you have identified the trigger and that they stop soon!
As Nakamova said, auras are simple partial seizures, and yes they can also cause exhaustion, headaches and confusion - all the post-seizure fun stuff! My daughter's tonic-clonic seizures have been controlled by medication for almost 18 months, but she still has simple partial seizures fairly frequently. Some are very mild and she recovers from them quickly, but about once a month she will have a partial seizure that is extremely strong and scary. She remains conscious, but the seizure itself is extremely intense. These episodes are generally immediately followed by strong post-ictal symptoms of weepiness, heart palpitations and trembling, and she will often feel exhausted and "foggy" from those for several days. And repeated simple partials, or "clusters," can be very debilitating. So even though it is "just" a partial seizure it can still have an impact on your life.
I know that you are wary of contacting your neurologist because of concerns about losing your license, but I urge you to do this ASAP. This could be a "blip" or it could be an indication of a change in your seizure pattern. Either way, it is good to get it checked out and treated sooner rather than later. And while driving laws vary from state to state, many do allow people who are only having seizures without loss of consciousness (i.e. auras or simple partial seizures) to continue driving.
Good luck!
Welcome! Sorry that you are having a recurrence of seizure activity after such a long period without them. That is always so scary and disappointing. I sincerely hope that you have identified the trigger and that they stop soon!
As Nakamova said, auras are simple partial seizures, and yes they can also cause exhaustion, headaches and confusion - all the post-seizure fun stuff! My daughter's tonic-clonic seizures have been controlled by medication for almost 18 months, but she still has simple partial seizures fairly frequently. Some are very mild and she recovers from them quickly, but about once a month she will have a partial seizure that is extremely strong and scary. She remains conscious, but the seizure itself is extremely intense. These episodes are generally immediately followed by strong post-ictal symptoms of weepiness, heart palpitations and trembling, and she will often feel exhausted and "foggy" from those for several days. And repeated simple partials, or "clusters," can be very debilitating. So even though it is "just" a partial seizure it can still have an impact on your life.
I know that you are wary of contacting your neurologist because of concerns about losing your license, but I urge you to do this ASAP. This could be a "blip" or it could be an indication of a change in your seizure pattern. Either way, it is good to get it checked out and treated sooner rather than later. And while driving laws vary from state to state, many do allow people who are only having seizures without loss of consciousness (i.e. auras or simple partial seizures) to continue driving.
Good luck!
Hello.i. Have auras and anti histamin do make it worse I am my own worse enermy and take nytol which I don't advice people to do as it days on packet avoid if have sz.but I idiot.i don't think I could take anti histomin during the day few times I have I tend to have aura not all the time and I would have be desperate with an allergy which don't happen often
Hey Smcherr
For quite a while I had extreme confusion, exhaustion, & depression after my simple partial seizures. Some of my mildest seizures and sometimes just auras that I could hardly feel would leave me with the worst cases of confusion and headaches that would last anywhere from an hour to a day. My after effects stopped after being bumped up on one of my meds, hopefully yours will be gone after the antihistamine is out of your system. Having all of those little auras can be very exhausting as well as just being a pain in the butt.
For quite a while I had extreme confusion, exhaustion, & depression after my simple partial seizures. Some of my mildest seizures and sometimes just auras that I could hardly feel would leave me with the worst cases of confusion and headaches that would last anywhere from an hour to a day. My after effects stopped after being bumped up on one of my meds, hopefully yours will be gone after the antihistamine is out of your system. Having all of those little auras can be very exhausting as well as just being a pain in the butt.
@smcherr I'm not sure if there are any medical doctors here who offers advice. You should get a neurologist to at least be on the safe side. Just because you can become seizure free for a 10 years does not mean they're gone permanently.
I think you should avoid any other over the counter medications that do trigger it at least.
I think you should avoid any other over the counter medications that do trigger it at least.
My question is has anyone else had a similar experience with having so many auras without having a seizure and what did you do to get control again?
Hi, smcherr and welcome to CWE!
I hope you start feeling better soon. It is possible that your seizure threshold has become lowered for some reason(s).
I would suggest writing down the list of over the counter medications and supplements you take, as well as the prescription medications, and present this list to your pharmacist when he/she is not busy and ask if there may be interactions going on or if there is something in particular you are taking that might be bringing back the auras/partial seizures.
As Nakamova mentioned, take a look at your lifestyle and see if modifications can be made there (eg. cut out alcohol and caffeine, get sufficient and regular sleep, etc.).
As far as experiencing multiple auras/partial seizures, I do. My seizures are nocturnal, are classed as partial motor and tonic seizures, and can occur multiple times per night. While auras are technically considered partial seizures I can even have an aura prior to a partial seizure.
Autumn Breeze
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Welcome to CWE!!
It's been a long time since I took an antihistamine, when I had a really bad cold in October I tried really hard to avoid all medications. So, do consider fnding alternatives for that if you can.
Also, yes, after any kind of seizure activity I feel more tired. How tired depends on the seizure type.
Auras, which I think I've started having more frequently, just a teeny bit.
The more complex ones when I'm actually unaware of things and kind of "blacked out", I feel tired like an hour after a good run.
Then tonic clonics completely wipe me out. I'm going to sleep for a minimum of an hour post ictal, and will continue to sleep the rest of the day. I will wake up to vomit when the headache gets to that point, then I will go back to sleep. I might be awake long enough later at night to eat something small before going back to bed. Any number of TCs will keep me in bed all day.
It's been a long time since I took an antihistamine, when I had a really bad cold in October I tried really hard to avoid all medications. So, do consider fnding alternatives for that if you can.
Also, yes, after any kind of seizure activity I feel more tired. How tired depends on the seizure type.
Auras, which I think I've started having more frequently, just a teeny bit.
The more complex ones when I'm actually unaware of things and kind of "blacked out", I feel tired like an hour after a good run.
Then tonic clonics completely wipe me out. I'm going to sleep for a minimum of an hour post ictal, and will continue to sleep the rest of the day. I will wake up to vomit when the headache gets to that point, then I will go back to sleep. I might be awake long enough later at night to eat something small before going back to bed. Any number of TCs will keep me in bed all day.
Thank you everyone for your responses. Today is my 1st day in the last 10 that I have not had any auras and it's a big relief. Hopefully things are back to normal. Reading many stories on this site has made me realize that my condition could have been or could be much worse. I have a wonderful wife that has been very supportive over the years and has been through a lot because of my epilepsy.
I have learned many things on this site and am very thankful I found it. Things have changed so much in this field since was a kid . When I was first diagnosed (in the 60's) I remember hearing my Dad say to my Mom that I would never be able to get a job and take care of myself and at the time he was probably right. Thankfully that was not the case.
I wish the best for all of you and will keep reading this site to stay informed. God bless each of you.
I have learned many things on this site and am very thankful I found it. Things have changed so much in this field since was a kid . When I was first diagnosed (in the 60's) I remember hearing my Dad say to my Mom that I would never be able to get a job and take care of myself and at the time he was probably right. Thankfully that was not the case.
I wish the best for all of you and will keep reading this site to stay informed. God bless each of you.
I hope the auras are gone for good smcherr!
Thank you and so do I!
Auras
smcherr,
I have felt auras after being seizure-free for several years, too. It can be very depressing when this happens. The thing to think about is that when this happens you can't let yourself fall into too much of a funk. This is something that many people who have E have to deal with, so you have to just stand strong and deal with it in a way that you know you can. This way you can feel much better about what you are doing and have the positive feelings that come with dealing with this type of occurrance.
A person who has E is going to face difficulties in their lives that most people will never have to deal with! The majority of these people don't understand how difficult this can be, and it goes right over their heads. Many times if they never have to face something, they act just like it doesn't exist.
ACsHuman:twocents:
smcherr,
I have felt auras after being seizure-free for several years, too. It can be very depressing when this happens. The thing to think about is that when this happens you can't let yourself fall into too much of a funk. This is something that many people who have E have to deal with, so you have to just stand strong and deal with it in a way that you know you can. This way you can feel much better about what you are doing and have the positive feelings that come with dealing with this type of occurrance.
A person who has E is going to face difficulties in their lives that most people will never have to deal with! The majority of these people don't understand how difficult this can be, and it goes right over their heads. Many times if they never have to face something, they act just like it doesn't exist.
ACsHuman:twocents: