Bump up for newcomer.

Thanks for bumping the thread! *smile at everyone* I'm sorry we are all suffering similar challenges, but happy we have each other and this forum to support each other.

I also have other issues with what I think of as brain chemistry. Six years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I've been bipolar practically my entire life, as I look back on it, but developed coping mechanisms and so seemed "normal" (whatever that may be) to all but family and close friends. Unfortunately - untreated - bipolar disorder can get worse over time. It did.

I understand that the frontal lobe is involved in bipolarism, as it is generally in seizure disorders.

Seizures - mainly noctural at this point - began for me late last year. Actually, I had one or two several years ago but they stopped almost as soon as they started and I thought little of them. Now in spite of medication (Dilantin) they seem to be increasing. I am aware of them at the beginning and end of sleep and sometimes during. I know I have more than I am aware of because my family has heard me making odd noises and has seen the convulsive movements. At that point they are unable to wake me. Apparently the episode needs to run its course.

I went to hospital for tests only because my brother responded to the noises and was so alarmed by the seizure the rest of the family insisted I go. Tests revealed nothing out of the ordinary with heart or brain. Now I'm having sleep studies done.

I believe the episodes are growing more frequent, mainly because I am so terribly tired. I get up for several hours and then must sleep again. I'm also having noticeable problems with short term memory loss.

I'm not sure if this is epilepsy. What seems odd about these seizures is that the ones of which I'm aware are generally preceded by my changing position in bed - for instance rolling from back to side or raising a knee up toward my body. I can't find any references to seizures related to body position.

What medication are you taking for the Bipolar disorder? Many AEDs (anti-epileptic medicines) are used to treat other mental illnesses. The difference is in dosage.

Dilantin is one of the very first medicines most doctors start us off on. It is not the greatest treatment of localized seizures. It's better used for generalized seizures. The hope is to get onto a medicine that adequately controls local seizures so seizures don't secondarily-generalize and become tonic-clonics.

Most medications can get to dangerous levels, and induce seizures. A seizure disorder is when a person has a tendency to have seizures (usually a certain kind, or kinds). Just in case you didn't know that. Dilantin is well-known to cause slowing of brain activity. This will make you more sleepy, more forgetful, and clumsy.

Seizure disorders can also affect any area/s in the brain. The most common area affected is temporal lobe, next common is the frontal lobe. From there, parietal lobe, and lastly the occipital lobe. Doctors are most willing to do surgery on the temporal lobe, if the person's speech won't be greatly affected. The frontal lobe will also be worked on in surgery, carefully, as the speech and decision-making (and other executive functions) could be seriously damaged.

Traumatic brain injuries, illnesses, cancer, and unknowns can all cause epilepsy to occur. High fevers, encephalitis, head injuries, strokes, and cancer commonly do cause epilepsy. The brain is an amazing part of our body, in charge of every single thing (other than the heart beating). That fact taken into account, you can imagine how many people will have epilepsy some day in their lives. It's certainly worth learning all about. (A big passion of mine, in case you hadn't noticed

Have you called that university (Rush, I think it is)? Any word yet on when you can get in to see an epileptologist?

Shez

Hi Shez. In fact, yes, I called Rush and should be seeing a doctor there soon.

I have had trauma to the brain in the past: spinal meningitis, concussion. Neither of these was recent.

This week I had a bad seizure during the day. I was just about to head downstairs when I felt one coming on, with only a second's warning. Luckily I fell backwards into my room, not downstairs. When I regained consciousness I was flat on my back on the floor, having just missed a chair with my head. Seizures in bed are one thing...no immediate risk of injury. Collapsing in a heap in the daytime, near the stairs, not safe.

For bipolar disorder I take Cymbalta 60mg a day.

The Dilantin is certainly slowing me down - sleepy, forgetful and clumsy describes my current condition.

Thanks again for responding! I appreciate that much much.