Tired spells?

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Hey everybody!

I found out I have JME about 2 years ago, and I've always had these "tired spells" before having a grand mal. I can't figure out why... It's like, I'm tired to a point where I'm completely out of it and can't do things like dress my self correctly, or have slow reactions. I thought it sounded like an absence seizure at first, but these last for hours, until I either go to sleep, or have a grand mal. My neurologist told me that it is because when I ( a person with epilepsy) am tired, it is different than someone who does not have epilepsy. Apparently, when I'm over tired, it affects me like that. Has this happened to anyone else?
 
Hi and welcome,
I have seizures when I get too tired too.
It's hard when in the moment of an aura like that, to think about an approaching
seizure. I hope you have a great time on the site.
 
If I'm tired I'll be more apt to have a seizure.

If I go a day or two without a getting a full nights sleep and I don't get to take my nap that I take every afternoon I usually end up having a seizure.
 
Hi and welcome to CWE!

What your doc says about the fatigue of a person with epilepsy being different than for a person without epilepsy doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. It is the case that being tired is a seizure trigger, but having epilepsy doesn't necessarily make you more tired than people who don't have E.

One thing that might make you more tired would be if you were having seizure activity at night. If so, then that would interfere with your sleep and lead to exhaustion during the day -- which would in turn make you vulnerable to having a grand mal seizure. Have you ever had a sleep study done? And do you keep a seizure diary? It's also possible that there are other factors (such as hormones) that are contributing to your exhaustion and seizures.

Best,
Nakamova
 
nnazarowski

I have to say I agree with Nakamova about the sleep. Having epilepsy does not make you prone to being tired but some medications can. Having a good look at the side effects of the medication you are on could be a help to you and have another talk with your doctor.
 
nnazarowski

I have to say I agree with Nakamova about the sleep. Having epilepsy does not make you prone to being tired but some medications can. Having a good look at the side effects of the medication you are on could be a help to you and have another talk with your doctor.

I was on one med that made me so tired it was all I could do to get out of bed to go to the bathroom, I don't remember which med this was though. We told the neuro and he changed me to another one after he heard this.
 
valeriedl

I know what you mean the same happened to me only I cannot remember the name of it, talk about a bad memory.
 
Thanks for the advice! But I was talking more about getting into a sort of "spell" sometimes right before a seizure... Like a dream state. It's not all the time, just when I'm really tired. Thoughts?
 
The "spell" may be part of the seizure itself.
 
If I have a bad night, even one nocturnal seizure. I am ususally shot the next day. Sleep seems to be so important for me now. I know how you feel and when it comes to feeling tired. It isn't how I remember it at all before the seizures. I hope you start feeling better and can get some great sleep.
 
Have you had your B-12 levels checked?
When I was so tired just like described, my Dr. had my B-12 level checked and it was very low.
I have also started drinking a protein shake in the AM.
These have helped me the most.
 
If I have a bad night, even one nocturnal seizure. I am ususally shot the next day. Sleep seems to be so important for me now. I know how you feel and when it comes to feeling tired. It isn't how I remember it at all before the seizures. I hope you start feeling better and can get some great sleep.

I'll usually spend almost all the day after a seizure sleeping. They just wear me out. The worse the seizure the more tired I am.
 
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