No history of epilepsy, no head injury but sudden seizures

[flair]

Two months back, my fiance had his first seizure and we initially thought it was just a normal faint due to stress. Seizure didn't cross our mind at all because his limbs wasn't jerking. How ignorant of us!

Fast forward to today, he has had 4 seizures with the most recent one yesterday night. I was on the phone with him (he was at his mom's house) and everything was alright until he paused and let out a groan and then there was silence. I called out to him and he didn't reply which made me panicked! I dialed his mom's number and got her to check on him. I was right because he was having a seizure all by himself in the guest room.

I'm really worried because this whole seizure incident came out of the blue. He never had it in his life and did not have any head injury either. He does however suffer from bad headaches which started last May and the neurologist concluded it was just migraine.

My fiance has gone for MRI & CT scan and also blood tests which all came out fine. He went for his EEG last Saturday and his results are still pending.
He started taking Epilim 2 weeks ago which is meant to combat both migraine and seizures, although now I'm not too sure if the meds are working for him.

Currently he's complaining that hes feeling cold and his shoulder aches which I understand are normal after one experience seizures. I wish I can make him feel better again and I wonder if anyone knows of ways to feel better after a seizure attack? Any food to eat?

Sorry if I'm ranting but its just so frustrating and worrying. Two months back we knew nuts about epilepsy or seizures but now we can't stop researching about it online.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi flair, welcome to CWE!

I'm sorry you and your fiance are going through this. Unfortunately, the majority of seizure disorders come "out of the blue" -- i.e., with no known history of epilepsy or precipitating trauma or infection. The unknown aspect does make the whole thing feel scarier and more frustrating. Sometimes there can be a secondary trigger -- something in the diet or the environment -- so it might be helpful if you and your fiance can write down everything you remember about the circumstances surrounding the initial and subsequent seizures. Typical triggers are things like fatigue, food sensitivities, low blood sugar, dehydration, emotional stress, etc. If you can pinpoint something, you can try and avoid it in the future. Some good general tips are here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

It can take awhile to find the right medicine for seizure control. There are usually some side effects -- the question is how much they affect quality of life. But two weeks may be too soon to evaluate the Epilim. Often side effects fade after the body and brain adapt to the med, so I would give it a bit more time, and continue to pay close attention to how he is feeling.

As for post-seizure recovery -- it's a bit like having a massive hangover. It can be hard to eat and drink properly, because of the nausea and exhaustion. But if you can help him get a little water/juice and food down that will help. If his tongue is injured, soft, non-acid foods are best. If he has aches and pains, it's OK to take some ibuprofen or other pain reliever. He should go easy on the shoulder until it heals. If it feels like the damage is more severe, he should get it checked out.

You are doing the right thing by getting as informed as possible. Don't hesitate to ask his doctors about anything that seems unclear. And please feel free to check in here with any questions and concerns as well.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[valeriedl]

About 8 years ago I had a major seizure out of no where. I was taken to the hospital where I had to be put in a coma for the seizures to stop. The drs have no idea what caused the seizure, they think that some sort of virus had gotten into my spinal fluid and traveled to my brain but they aren't even sure of that.

It took a good many years for them to figure out the right doses of meds to help control the seizures. At first I was having at least 2 seizures a week but now I have on average 4 seizures a month but it may be more becuase I don't know that I'm having it unless there is someone there to see me.

Just be there for him and help him in going through what is happening to him. For me it's very frustrating to have my body do what it wants any time it wants and I have no control over it.

 

[petero]

... and I wonder if anyone knows of ways to feel better after a seizure attack? Any food to eat?
.

I would love a massage right now. Hottub... even a hot bath... That would be really nice.
I have a pulled hamstring/groin on my RH side primarily. I was in my mom's car when it happened and she said I was doing the ab-crunch type posture again.
eat, multivitamin, Icy-Hot, massage, yoga, stretch, keep the muscles moving, calm