Quote:
Originally Posted by Friedbrain
I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder 8 ys ago, and haven't been back here in a couple years, or even researched seizures for a couple years, so this is new to me, but makes sense. And I'm so glad! 
When my head blew up 8 ys ago, on my second trip to the ER in a month, I was unconscious and seizing the entire way from home to the hospital. My neuro witnessed my status epilepticus in the ER. And yet follow-up testing with a video-EEG and sleep-deprived EEG etc never showed any instability or anything. An epileptologist at the time told me I didn't have epilepsy, which didn't make sense because I definitely had seizures! I still was treated with anti-epilepsy medication (keppra, which reduced the seizures from unconscious grand mal seizures to periodic partials, and then plus lyrica). Back then, it was clear that the seizures were related to my hormones, but that's all I knew.
Now, with my health getting worse following a bad year of stress, I am having breakthrough seizures that are more clearly related to physiological things in my body. I'm even wondering if the Status episode and other major seizure episodes weren't also related to these things. I can't explain it all because that's what I'm back researching, but things that appear to be malfunctioning and are hypothetically contributing (and probably even related, but I'm not yet sure how): sugar sensitivity/insulin, vvv low blood pressure at night may induce my body to over-respond, low blood volume and/or too much salt (not sure), over-sensitivity to adrenaline (almost had a seizure at the dentist and now know to ask for the numbing agent without epinephrine!), etc.
Mark, I wanted to add that there are times, like after I cheated and had pie at Tgiving or too much salt (long story, but doc told me to), my brain was SUPER-startleable (ha, not a word), such that I felt like my brain was ready to explode and light or noise or significant movement would make my heart race and my head start to spin. Sleeping upright helps during those times, fwiw.
In short, I'm interested in learning more about physiological reasons for seizures! |
Laura, I think all of the world of psychogenic seizure care givers and patients would truly like to know the answer. Our son locks up when through his combination of Schizoaffective Disorder and OCD the thoughts which torment him cycle repeatedly in a loop in his mind and he strives to regain control/maintain order. The resulting seizure can turn him into a quaking statute which repeats nonsense syllables without ceasing. Being fixed in such a pose he cannot move of his own will and we must sedate him and get him into bed. Not a good thing.
A real revelation was produced when at our son's request we worked with his psychiatrist after a stay in the hospital to monitor his seizure cycles via elecroencephalgraph monitoring [a plethora of leads from his skull] and video monitoring which only confirmed non-epileptic psychogenic seizures. Working with his psychiatrist, we re-addressed his meds. Weaned him off of Zyprexa and Clomipramine then worked him up to a strong therapeutic dosage of Abilify. His seizures have DRAMATICALLY abated. Not altogether, but a dramatic reduction. Even some of his emotiveness resumed. On the other meds he was pretty much just a zombie with no emotion at all.
Despite the continuation of the psychoses, our son has become much more communicative, working well with his physicians, and participating at home. He continues to have his dramatic fears and must have his safety zone i.e our home and/or our presence. We do have hope of integrating him into a support program which will allow him outside the home interaction with others in an effort to reintegrate him with society. Much work remains ahead.
I hope my horrid delay in getting back to you has not lost you in the scheme of things here. I am sorry for my delay.
Mark56
