Seizures 39 years after TBI?
 

Is it possible to develop seizures from a traumatic brain injury that happened 39 years ago?

My husband had a nail go in his brain when he was a year old, and a couple weeks ago had a seizure. The doctors are wondering if it is possible that the trauma from the brain injury caused him to have this seizure. They said that the CT Scan showed compromised brain matter around the area that the nail went in. They could actually see the spot where the nail would have been. Crazy as I would've thought that it would've healed.

This entire thing is nuts as he now can't drive, but drives for a living, so I have had to start driving again so that he doesn't lose his job... we are a perfect pair!!

There are age related changes to the brain that can start in the 40's. Maybe that is contributing to his previous injury. Finding the cause of seizures is very difficult unless the seizure can be triggered during an EEG. Even then, they can not be very specific.

I developed seizures at 16 due to an injury at 10 that was aggravated at 16.

Well he just turned 40. His parents were told to keep watch until he was 8 years old as it is common to develop epilepsy up to 7 years after a brain injury like his. Makes sense for yours. Hopefully the EEG he just had will give us more information.

He can't handle not being able to drive, and I am struggling to do all of the driving. He has been the driver 95% of the time since my TBI.

Once they figure out his meds, he should be able to resume driving. I had to delay starting driving by 7 months. The rule back then was 6 months seizure free. I don't know if they have a set time any more.

How often and what kind of seizures is he having ?

KnockedOutMom,
well you are a good pair aren't you?! ;)

I'm sorry to read what's happening for your husband at the moment and hopefully you will know more after the results come back. It's a very long time to have gone and suddenly have one seizure episode out of the blue like that. Let us know how you're both getting on.

KOM,

I was on anti-seizure meds for 2 years then stopped. I needed it again in college for a short time. I have been without anti-seizure meds since 1974. I take a med (gabapentin) to settle my brain and body so I can sleep soundly. Otherwise, I shake and jerk in my sleep.

Tonic Clonic/Grand Mal, but only in his sleep so far. They started him last week on Keppra.

LOL that is exactly what I was thinking!! It also didn't help me being anxious about it happening to me too. I've tried to be more relaxed and positive and that is helping with my anxiety of him and me.

We are waiting for a MRI, neuro sleep study and to see the neuro at the end of the month.

I hope you get specific answers. The brain uses seizures I believe simply as a coping mechanism. Part of the brain cannot fix the damage to it so it shuts down and reroutes that part temporarily until the body can cope again. Do not be surprised if your husbands personality is severely affected. This is a very insecure time for him. Especially a man, they are meant to care for the woman and he will hate watching you work and care for him.
Just mb that if he gets angry.
As for the seizures, give it time. They will probably get worse before they get better. Eventually your husbands body will settle into a new pattern when his brain has finished rerouting.
Despite contrary evidence I am a great believer in homeopathy. However I know that drug prescription is simpler. It's such a gamble to get it right, so continue to expect setbacks.
Keep us updated xx

I did not develop seizures but I did develop mild head and hand tremors 4 years after my first concussion. No way to tell whether the concussion was the cause, but I sort of think it most likely was.