Newbie

[Ocala Mike]

Hi all! Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm on here because my 65-year old diabetic wife has been experiencing episodes of "passing out" or "seizures" at work recently which last for only a few seconds, during which time she reports she goes into a "statue-like" state where she can't speak or respond to customers. Her neurologist has her on Provigil, which hasn't seemed to help. He was supposed to have scheduled her for an epilepsy study at a local hospital, but that was weeks ago, and we haven't heard anything yet. Does anyone know how epilepsy is diagnosed, and how long it would customarily take for this to be scheduled by her neurologist? What does the study entail? She's already had brain scans, and a sleep study with no confirmed findings, but the episodes persist. She already can't drive, and I'm afraid she may lose her job involving customer service/sales/making change, etc.


Ocala Mike

 

[xenome]

Hi, and welcome. It sounds to me like she may be experiencing what are called absence seizures, also called petit mal seizures. They determine this by performing an EEG (electroencephalogram) which monitor her brainwaves to see if they are normal. It has been awhile since Ive had one, but they put electrodes on your head and read your brainwave patterns. If they find that her brainwaves are abnormal, then they may diagnose her with epilepsy and prescribe treatment, usually medication. Ive never heard of the medication she is taking before (but that doesnt mean anything) so I cant comment on its effectiveness, but I would call the neurologist and talk to him/her, let them know its not working yet. It may need more time, she may need a higher dose, or a different medication. Ask the doctor about the study too, and ask what is going on with that. Im afraid I dont know much about that.

In my case, I had an EEG and was diagnosed with absence seizures at 12 in this manner, then my doctor performed an MRI to make sure there was nothing physically wrong with my brain. It was fine. They dont know why I have seizures, but they prescribed medication for me and eventually found the right ones, in my case though, it took 17 years. But Im better now.

P.S. I also worked while having absence seizures until I started having grand mal seizures too, then I was put on disability. If they are not interfering with her job, her employer cannot fire her.

I hope Ive helped at least a little. Come here if you have any other questions, most people here are way smarter then me. This forum is great! Good luck. I really hope she gets better.

 

[Ocala Mike]

Thank you, xenome. Provigil is a relatively new drug which is used for "excessive daytime sleepiness," which is how my wife first presented before "graduating" to these statue-like episodes of nonresponsiveness.

I placed a call to her neurologist but you know how difficult it can be to try and get through to a doctor these days. I will certainly follow up with him after the weekend to find out why my wife hasn't yet been scheduled for that epilepsy diagnostic test.


Ocala Mike

 

[Cint]

Provigil is a stimulant, so maybe the drug itself could bring on these statue-like episodes, possibly simple partial seizures. Stimulants can lower one's seizure threshold.

Call the dr. back next week and insist on those diagnostic tests. Here is a great website for more info on the subject:

http://www.epilepsy.com/101/diag101_tests