Hello, I'm new to this support/forum board and would like any information or help anyone can provide.

My partner is a 76 year old man who went into the hospital for hip replacement, after the surgery he started having a seizure, I'm not sure when the stroke happened, before or after the seizure. We were told he had a thalamus stroke and that the EEG and MRI showed constant seizure activity. He had seizures for 4 days, his body twitched every 2 or 3 seconds. They gave him higher and higher doses of anti-seizure meds - Depakote for one. Finally they have stopped, however, he isn't waking up. He gets repeat EEG's and they still show seizure activity in his brain. He only has short moments when his eyes are open and he has squeezed my hand a few times, he can only move his left side. His right side seems to be paralyzed. He will close his right hand into a fist after the physical therapist opens it up. That has been the only movement so far on the right side. He's not on any type of life support, he's breathing on his own, his blood pressure and vitals are fine. They put in a picc line so he could get some nutrition, he had not eaten in 4 days. I know they are giving him high amounts of pain meds and anxiety meds so perhaps that is keeping him in a sleeping mode. 4-6 hours after he's given pain meds, he starts getting very agitated and pulls on his tubes, clothing, etc. He has not spoken much, a couple of words. He cries, mumbles, moans and on occasion yells out.

Has anyone had seizures along with the stroke? Is this normal? What kind of recovery can we expect for him? He's the love of my life and I'm so very worried. I don't want him to suffer or be in pain but I am very hopeful he will have some recovery in the future.

I'd like to hear from people who know about this subject because it's all new to me. Thanks! Pam

Hi Pam,

I'm so sorry that your partner had a stroke. Sometimes after a person has had a stroke it can cause damage on the brain and start causing seizures. You mentioned that your partner is pulling at their clothing this is one sign of a complex partial seizure which means both sides of the brain a triggering seizures and often during a complex partial seizure a person will pull at their clothing, get moody, and they smack their lips not realizing what is going on. If your partner is on Neurontin this could be triggering the seizures. Neurontin is a seizure med but they have found that Drs. use it for pain, headaches and other things that don't relate to epilepsy and the drug can cause epilepsy for many people who are on the med and they have never had a seizure in their life. Right now the drug co. has $240 million in lawsuits against them for this.
My best advice to you is for your partner to see an Epileptologist which is a Dr. who specializes in epilepsy. You will get a lot more help from an Epileptologist and the Dr. will be able to pinpoint the cause of the seizures and get your partner on the correct med with the least side effect. I wish you and your partner the best of luck and May God Bless You Both!

Sue

Hello and welcome, happy to see you have come to be with us, it a great place to be. As you can see we have a great number and caring fellow members here, where you have find a supportive and relaxing place. Have fun looking into the different forums. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

Please keep us up to date on your condition. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene