Had 2 seizures ... what to do??
 

Hello,

I am 49 yrs. old and live alone and apparently I had a seizure
a few days ago while sitting at the computer playing chess.

I was unconscious for a very short time and apparently
got up then fell down onto something (unknown)

I just blacked out (no aura) for a possibly a minute or two and
I must have fallen backwards onto my head and cut a 2 inch
gash into the -back- of my head. Blood was everywhere in the
apartment.

However, when I woke up (disoriented) I was sitting back
in the chair at the computer with blood dripping down out
of my skull!

How and why did I get back into the chair??

After I figured out what happened, I drove to the emergency
room where they sewed me up.

CT-scan negative, blood work negative, urine negative.

The same thing happened about a week prior while sitting at
the computer playing chess, but this time I must have landed
on my face (left side) because I had a bad black left eye. The
last time though when I woke up I was not at the computer
desk ... I somehow made my way (unconscious?) to my bed
where I woke up. Three days later my EEG was negative.

Can people walk around unconscious while having a seizure?

I've been sick with a sinus infection and had a Herpes Simplex
infection in my cornea about 2 months ago.

The emergency room doctor said the cause of the last seizure
was unknown and reported me to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

I'm now on Neurontin and Klonopin, but I don't know if I have
Epilepsy or not. (I've been very stressed out recently)

I have another EEG set for Wednesday. (I have a neurologist)

Thank you for reading and any advise, as this is all new to me.

-Roy

Hi Roy,

Welcome to the forum! I'm sorry to hear that you had a sz. and cut your head. I'm 45 and have had sz. for 35 yrs. I have complex partial and absence sz. along with aura sz. every now and then.
I've had all the testing done that you mentioned but it sounds like you might be photosensitive which means certain colors are triggering your sz. I had a special e.e.g. done where the neuro ordered to have the e.e.g. tech flash different color strobe lights one at a time and that's when they found out the colors bright white, amber, and floresecent green triggered sz. for me. Another reason why you might have had a sz. is because you're sick with a cold that always causes me to have a sz., but the big thing that really messed me up was the neurontin. That caused me to have a absence status sz. where I was out of it for up to 3 hrs. one time. Everybody is different when it comes to meds but I know the company that makes neurontin has over $240 million in lawsuits because the drug has caused people to have sz. that never had them in their life along with many other negative effects. You might want to tell your neuro to try a different AED (sz. med.) Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue P.S. When I have a cp sz. (complex partial or absence) I will always walk around and continue talking or working I just don't remember.

Hi Roy and welcome aboard!
I'm sorry to hear about your endeavors. I too had/have complex partial seizures and would walk around during them. During complex partial seizures you are legally unconcious but able to move about and do many things you just are not in control (this includes driving which is particularly frightening). Have you had seizures in the past? What did your EEG show? (I can't remember what tests and results you mentioned you had done).
Sounds like a different med may help...

Hello,

vodpop & Porkette ... :)

I have been on Neurontin for the past 2 years due to trigeminal
nerve pain ... which occurred after an incompetent ENT used a
CO2 laser to burn the inferior turbinates in my nose.

My memory and mind are slowly being "eatin' away" using this
Neurontin. I wonder if it could be the cause of my 2 recent seizures.

The problem is that without it, I get little electric shock-like snaps
when I try to sleep and I wake right up -- no sleep at all.

My neuro wants to put me on Keppra. Which drugs have the worst
side effects??? :confused:

I have a -concussion- from my head injury last Wednesday and I'm
going into the ER tomorrow for a CT-scan and MRI ... I hope.
One pupil is slightly larger than the other and I'm dizzy (vertigo) when
I lay down.

-Roy

Hi Roy ~ I'm glad you're having a MRI. I wish ALL of us having seizures would have one. Mine saved my life.
And about Keppra .... all the AEDs effect each of us so very differently. Keppra did not bother me at all..... but I never took it alone either. I always took two (at least two) AEDs together. Right now I'm on Trileptal and Topamax and doing OK.

Here's wishing you well with the CT and MRI. Please let us know the results as soon as you get them. I've said a prayer for you and here's a hug :hug:

Hi Roy and welcome. It's great to have you here, but not so great you have to be here.

I will just agree with the things already posted and add a tidbit. Keppra, or as a lot of people have renamed it, "Kepprage" is pretty famous for causing mood swings. Keep in mind, a lot of side effects should go away as you adjust to the medication(s). From my understanding, Keppra is more gentle on your body (as some aren't very good for your liver, kidneys, and what have you).

I'd make sure that you mention that before or during both seizures, you were playing chess. Perhaps you can get a laptop and try it again during an EEG just to rule it out as a culprit.

Hope you find some answers soon, and make sure you keep us updated.

Hi Roy,
My Dr. wanted me to try keppra but I told him no way because a lot of my friends have tried the drug only for them to have a very hot temper and be very moody. To find the right AED for you your Dr. needs to do a DNA blood test on you and they can match your DNA up with a AED that will help control your sz. the best. This is something that my Dr. has been doing for at least 2 yrs. if not longer. Another thing that has helped a lot of people is taking vitamin B12 1000 mcg. a day you can buy right over the counter without a perscription.
You should stay away from nutra sweet ex. diet soda cut back on starch foods, carbs. and eat foods high in fat this is known as the ketogenic diet that helps reduce if not stop sz. for many people. It's been proven that nutra sweet (aspartame) can cause more electrical activity in a persons brain which can lead to sz. for many people. Also make it a point to keep a calendar and write down what time you had the sz. along with a discription of the sz. by doing this your neuro may be able to see a pattern in your sz. as to what time of the day or what days of the month you are more likely to have a sz. Also be sure to take note of the weather because some people are bothered by a low pressure causing them to have a sz. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Roy,

What many others have said I agree with them. What one med that causes problem for someone may help with others. I have been on Keppra for 4 years and have had good luck. I also taking Lamital, with the both by spell have reduced in number and are not as long.

As for the fact of walking during a spell I seem to not move until I start coming out of it.

Hope you get some answers and keep us informed.

Darlene:hug:

(((((((((((Roy))))))))))))). :(

PLEASE stay off the road!! If you have another sz or head injury, call someone for help!! Driving in post-ictal state (immediately after sz) is like being smashed on alcohol or drugs. Call an ambulance if you can't get a neighbor to help.

LIZARD :)

Welcome Roy :) I agree with everyone including Lizard; what if you all of the sudden have a seizure while in the middle of traffic. Also theres the drunk like way of driving after you have the sz. I saw a billboard saying something like 'Even though you think you can drive, driving buzzed is driving drunk.' And that made me upset, because I'd like to drive, but driving in that postictal state tells me I could hurt someone, so I better not drive.