Seizures when leaning forward?

[Nutella]

Hi friends,

I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2010 (well what they thought was epilepsy) I have had three EEG's (two were sleep deprived) and an MRI. I have complex partial seizures. I still have 20 seizures or so (I used to have 30) in a month but they are cluster seizures so sometimes they all happen on three separate days or three days in a row.

I am currently on Tegretol 400mg twice a day and Lamictal 100mg in the morning and 150mg in the evening I tried Keppra and it did not work at all, increasing both Tegretol and Lamictal does nothing except it makes me very dizzy. I am also on Depo-Provera (birth control) shot as my seizures used to be more frequent around that time of the month. I am also on Lorazepam but only when I have 3 or more seizures.

Anyway I am basically back to where we began 4 years ago. My neurologist wants me to have another MRI to check for tumours once again after 4 years just to be sure. If its not epilepsy what could it be?

I have also noticed that sometimes actually often I have a seizure when I lean forward like when I am brushing my teeth I just had one doing that and it has happened many times. Does anyone else get these when they lean forward?

 

[masterjen]

Sometimes position changes can cause syncope or vertigo. These can be associate with confusion, dizziness, feeling light-headed, losing consciousness, stiffening or other physical movements, etc. Google "syncope versus seizure" and you will get a couple of interesting PDF articles, most notably the 2nd and 3rd one down.

 

[Nutella]

Thank you masterjen I will definitely look into that

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Nutella --

You might check out this link about seizures triggered by brushing one's teeth: http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/news/20070305/toothbrushing-triggers-rare-seizures

Complex partials tend to involve automatic behaviors and only partial awareness, so they can often be identified and confirmed through video recording. If there's any doubt about your diagnosis you try and get a video record to show your docs. Do the medications help art all with your symptoms? If so, that also suggests that they are indeed seizures.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Ruth]

I was diagnosed with E when I was six years old.

About 60 years later it did not show up on an EEG. The hospital neurologist said that my seizures were fake. I had have status epilepsy, grand mals and other types of seizures.

A seizure only shows up on the EEG if you have a seizure during the test.

Ask for a Video EEG. It is more accurate.

I want to welcome you to CWE. This forum was made by Bernard out of love for his wife Stacy. That love permeates throughout the whole forum.

One of the five medications that I am on is Lamictal and Lorazepam. I do not have any problems with them. I was on Tegrotlol for many years. Then it just guit working.

I am on Keppra, as well. My neurologist told me to start taking Vitamin B Complex. Keppra depletes your body of Vitamin B.

Having more seizures during the time of the month is an indication of E. I think you have it. I am not a doctor so I could be wrong.

 

[Nutella]

Hi Nutella --

You might check out this link about seizures triggered by brushing one's teeth:

Complex partials tend to involve automatic behaviors and only partial awareness, so they can often be identified and confirmed through video recording. If there's any doubt about your diagnosis you try and get a video record to show your docs. Do the medications help art all with your symptoms? If so, that also suggests that they are indeed seizures.

Best,
Nakamova

Thank you Nakamova I actually have done that I had my seizure recorded and showed my neuro last month and he said they are definitely complex partial seizures.

At this point I am not even sure if the medication is actually helping or if its the depo shot as I don't ovulate anymore I don't have as many as I did, I used to have 35 some months even 40. Nowadays its 16 to 20 so I am assuming mix of medication and depo shot knocked it down to 20 but neuro is unhappy with that and so am I.

 

[Nutella]

I was diagnosed with E when I was six years old.

About 60 years later it did not show up on an EEG. The hospital neurologist said that my seizures were fake. I had have status epilepsy, grand mals and other types of seizures.

A seizure only shows up on the EEG if you have a seizure during the test.

Ask for a Video EEG. It is more accurate.

I want to welcome you to CWE. This forum was made by Bernard out of love for his wife Stacy. That love permeates throughout the whole forum.

One of the five medications that I am on is Lamictal and Lorazepam. I do not have any problems with them. I was on Tegrotlol for many years. Then it just guit working.

I am on Keppra, as well. My neurologist told me to start taking Vitamin B Complex. Keppra depletes your body of Vitamin B.

Having more seizures during the time of the month is an indication of E. I think you have it. I am not a doctor so I could be wrong.

My EEG shows abnormalities but not exactly what my neuro was expecting with the kind of seizures I am having. Thank you so much for the warm welcome yeah I am actually hoping its E at this point lol I am not ready for a different diagnosis.

Another thing that I am struggling with is anger and depression my neuro told me it can be from Lamictal I was wondering have you ever experienced these kind of side effects at all?

 

[Ruth]

I have not experienced anger and depression from Lamictal that I know of. I drink Chamomile tea when I get upset. At night time I drink Sleepy Time tea to calm down.

I am on 5 different medicines for my seizures. They are Keppra, Lamictal, Primidone, clonazepam Neurontin and Lorazepam. Probably any of them can cause anger and depression. I get more depressed than angry.

Keppra is notorius for anger. It is nicknamed on the forum as Keppra rage. That is why I take Vitamin B Complex. Maybe Vitamin B Complex works with other medicines.

 

[Nakamova]

Another thing that I am struggling with is anger and depression my neurologist told me it can be from Lamictal I was wondering have you ever experienced these kind of side effects at all?

I haven't had any problems with those particular side effects. They are more often associated with Keppra ("Kepprage"). Lamictal is also prescribed as a mood stabilizer, so it tends to have fewer emotional side effects. That said, everyone reacts differently, and if those side effects persist or get worse, esp. when/if you go off Keppra, then Lamictal may not be the best fit for you.

 

[Belinda5000]

I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was two years old.That was fifty years ago for me.
I've had right temporal lobectomy in 1982, a VNS in 2001 and been on 23 different meds.

I'm on Tegretol I take 300MG 3x day Topamax 200MGx2 and Phenobarb 90MG @bed.

My sz's are brought on by big crowds sometimes. I have Tonic clonic,Absencesimple and complex partial,generalized sz's.