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Prolonged seizure, post-ictal state

Thu, 10/24/2013 - 23:37
I was diagnosed with having a seizure in July. I am 50 years old. I had seen my psychiatrist and he told me later that I had been "acting odd", although he really couldn't define why he felt that way. I fell when I stood up, no injury, and I left the office. From there on, I can't remember. I was told that I went to my car in the parking lot, called my father on my cell and told him that I was in a location (not where I was) and that I needed a ride. He said he tried to question me but I hung up. Then I went back to the doc's office. I was told I was talking strange. Then the police came. I had left the car running with my purse in the unlocked car. Someone called the police worried about an possible abduction. At some point I left the office and was looking under chairs in the lobby. Someone brought me back to the office and stayed with me until my father came to pick me up. He drove me to the ER. I "came to" late the next day, over 24 hours later. I had had an 2 MRIs, a CT scan, blood work and an EEG during that time that I had no memory of. I slept most of the next two days, still in the hospital. The only thing that was abnormal was the EEG, which showed activity in the left temporal region. I was already on Lamictal for my bipolar disorder, so they just kept me on that until my next visit. When I saw the neurologist as an outpatient, he told me that I might have temporal lobe epilepsy and that I had a seizure. He said I could take an other med (Vimpat) if I felt I needed it. WTF? I had been having auras for years but didn't realize that was what you called them. In any case, I'm not getting answers from him, he only saw me for 5 minutes in the office the other day. I am going to get another neurologist, one who specializes in epilepsy. In any case, I haven't read anything online that talks about seizures that last more than a few minutes with some confusion after. What part was the seizure, and what part was the confusion/recovery? Had anyone else experienced anything like this, the prolonged, involved seizure event? I'm terrified of having another one, and with my doctor telling me that I should call if I felt I needed to increase my dose, I have no idea what to do next. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Comments

Re: Prolonged seizure, post-ictal state

Submitted by juggler63 on Sat, 2013-10-26 - 20:46
Hi. The blood levels were drawn about the same time of day, but months apart. That said, my Lamicatal level was normal in July but went up after I had been on Vimpat for a couple of months. Are auras mini-seizures on their own, or are they just predictors of seizures? It seems that I have had the aura/symptoms for years, but never had a full-blown seizure that I recall. I am hoping the Vimpat will work. Since I have only had the one major seizure, I'm not sure how it is working unless I have another, which I hope to G that I don't have. The idea of having another one scares me to death. I am in intern at a clinical practice for behavioral health and am concerned that I would have one there in the office. Since my symptoms don't look like a seizure, I am afraid I will do something humiliating. But I know I can't live in fear of another seizure. That is why I am getting a new doctor and trying to find out as much as I can. I really appreciate people like you who are willing to respond and educate. Thanks, Jean

Re: Prolonged seizure, post-ictal state

Submitted by Nerak95 on Sat, 2013-10-26 - 21:16

Jean,

Auras are actually simple partial seizures.  They can sometimes evolve into generalized seizures.  Although you mentioned finding another neuro, I'd still contact your current one.  Often,  you can't get in right away with a new neuro.

My daughter expeienced an increase in seizures when on Lamictal. Could be that it's just not the right choice for you. Hope the Vimpat works well for you.

Karen

Jean,

Auras are actually simple partial seizures.  They can sometimes evolve into generalized seizures.  Although you mentioned finding another neuro, I'd still contact your current one.  Often,  you can't get in right away with a new neuro.

My daughter expeienced an increase in seizures when on Lamictal. Could be that it's just not the right choice for you. Hope the Vimpat works well for you.

Karen

Re: Prolonged seizure, post-ictal state

Submitted by juggler63 on Sat, 2013-10-26 - 23:07
Thanks, Karen. I will call the my doctor on Monday. I will be curious to know how much of change in the Lamictal level since July. I have an appointment on the 8th with the epilepsy specialist but I will check in with the other one (his nurse at least. He usually isn't available). I also saw mention of sleep paralysis as possible being a seizure. I've had those since childhood, if I understand the description. Yikes!

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