Seizure Type Changed

[stuartbungle]

I was diagnosed with Focal seizures (reasonably well controlled with medication few sps), and about 9 months ago (ish) I was just carrying on as normal and had a Tonic Clonic, then again 6 (ish) months later, and one yesterday (2 1\2 months) and two episodes of waking up asleep in bed, not sure why one had gone back to bed, it being the middle of the day (really try not to do that).

Has anybody got any thoughts about what could be going on?

 

[txtiger]

It's possible the seizures could be finding a new pathway in your brain. I've had that happen before. Definitely worth a call to your doctor, if you haven't already. I did not report breakthrough sps for a long time, and they eventually morphed into a bad complex partial. Meds were periodically adjusted when I would report a breakthrough sp at appointments, and now (knock on wood), they seem to be under control again.

Hope you are able to get your seizures back under control.

 

[Nakamova]

Yes, seizures can change over time. If they change in nature, frequency or duration you should get in touch with your neuro as soon as possible in order get a handle on what's going and prevent additional progressions. It could be a sign that your medication/dose needs to be changed. It's also possible that there may have been some unusual stressors or triggers that precipitated the T-C 9 months ago. You said were "carrying on as normal" but maybe there's something you overlooked. Were you getting enough sleep? Were there any changes to your diet or routine?

 

[Porkette]

Hi stuartbungle,

My seizures changed over time also. I started out just having absence seizures and then 2 yrs. later complex partial seizures. My Dr. told me this happened because I was having so many absence seizures that it caused damage on both sides of my brain over time and that's when the complex partial started. You may want to have your drug level checked or depending on what meds you take and the amount of time you have been on them maybe you need to change the meds. I know one thing that helped me a lot is cbd oil (medical marijuana) my Epileptologist told me to start using it and my seizures decreased a lot and I seldom have any complex partial seizures anymore. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

 

[stuartbungle]

Thank you for your replies! very helpful n thought provoking! will be looking into.

 

[CQ:)]

Hi Stuartbungle

My seizures changed alot over time. I 1st started having tonic clonics as a baby/toddler then I had a 21 year gap.
My seizures returned in 2002 when I was 24, they were mainly simple/complex partials with the odd tonic clonic. With the partials I'd always have the same aura never changed but with tonic clonic I didn't always get a warning.

I had surgery in 2011 & was seizure free for 2 years until I started having focal seizures again in 2013. They started have off with funny feelings and I was aware, now I still get more complex partials then the simple but they changed as I dont get auras like I used to or if i do is very quick.

My epilepsy specialists did tell me they can change, I can remember if they said that was because of the surgery or as you get older though.

 

[N Sperlo]

Over the 16 years since I was diagnosed, my seizures had changed multiple times. Sometimes better or worse. Expect things to change down the line and you can adjust to them. Good luck.

 

[Sabbo]

It is possible that you are experiencing new types of seizures. I have had simple partials (diagnosed in 1987) since childhood. In April 1987, I suddenly had 4 tonic clonics--none since. That's when they recognized the weird feelings I was complaining of as seizures. The simple partials have continued. About 20 years ago, I suddenly began having complex partials, which I still get.