Anybody have Simple partial seizures/Auras

[labjon]

I had 11 coils two years ago on a fusiform and continue to have something similar to Auras or Simple Partial Seizures. Not bad and they only last a 20 to 40 seconds. Feel weird afterward (hours) and zaps my energy level for a while (hours or days).

Don't take meds, other than aspirin, and I like it that way. But would look into something if it doesn't have side effect.

Lost part of vision and and have short term memory problems which I am told are here to stay. Not bad though considering what could of been. I don't have to work so there is not that much to remember. Thank God for Blackberry.

any body else have a similar experience, anything that prevents these that is not to strong of a med?

[jess2002]

Sorry I haven't experienced anything like that however I am sure someone will be along who can help shortly. Jess

Goodluck hope you keep getting better

[kookykat]

This is just my opinion, having spent 4 years with a stroke survivor with a seizure disorder (developed after the rupture). You might want to consider going to a neurologist and getting on a medication. The whole point of them is to stop the seizures from happening.

Different drugs have different side effect profiles. Some cause problems and need more monitoring than others. You can do your own research and decide what you're willing to live with.

Sharon started off on Dilantin, which she turned out to be allergic to. Then, she was put on Trileptal, which causes some issues on its own - it robs the body of sodium and leeches calcium from the bones. We got a different neurologist who put her on Keppra, which was a wonderful fit for her, for the most part. Low side effect profile, she felt more alert, no more leeching of sodium or calcium.

What I was told is that every seizure scrambles things in the brain. Eventually, if left untreated, that *will* cause permanent and irreversible brain damage all by itself. Also, your partial seizures can escalate at any point to grand mal seizures. Sharon's did. She went from no seizures to partial complex to grand mal. She still had seizures while on Trileptal every so often, but none at all while on Keppra.

It can take some time to find the correct fit and dosage. If you find a neurologist who's worth their diploma, that can be a much more pleasant journey.

Still, if you do some research before you even go, you'll be armed with a short list of drugs to try, and then you and your neurologist can work on it.

You might also want to check into the driving laws in your area (local *and* state). In some (more than not) places, it's illegal to drive until you've been free of seizures for a specified period of time (here it's 6 months). If you ever have a seizure while driving and they find out you knew and didn't do anything, they can throw your butt in jail. Plus, there's the whole putting yourself and others in danger thing. Unless you don't drive, in which case, never mind.

I was told when Sharon had her stroke that they'd be surprised if she *didn't* develop a seizure disorder. It's very common with aneurysms, both ruptured and unruptured. You've got an area of abnormality in your brain, and it's reacting to that abnormality. OTOH, it could be in a completely different area of your brain and totally unrelated to your aneurysm.

An EEG would tell the neurologist more. The right medication might keep this from *ever* happening again.

So, you've got a choice to make. Do you go see a neurologist and get this taken care of, or do you risk probable permanent brain damage and escalation of the seizures because you'd rather not take another pill?

I know we don't know each other. I just spent the past 4 years with someone who had a rupture in the first place because she wouldn't go to the doctor when she had the first symptoms. There are things to be stubborn about. This isn't one of them, IMO. Then again, it's not my life.

Good luck to you, whatever path you decide to follow.

[labjon]

Thank you for your response and advise. I had an EEG and it showed nothing since I was not having one of these events when I had the test.

The long term effects are something I had not considered. Worth checking out.

My neurologist is cool and calls my episodes "events" so nothing in any paper work shows the "s" word. Does not effect my driving ability when I have one as they are not that severe. Mine actually over time are getting less frequent.

Stress, fatigue, and drinking alcohol are the triggers for them.

[LIZARD]

I don't have experience with aneurysm but have always had partial szs that weren't dx'ed until I was 25, and my phenobarb (for GMs) never did anything for them. It just stopped them from spreading. I would have them in huge clusters of 30 or more over 18-24 hours from things like weather and season changes.

Earlier this year, under treatment for endo issues, I saw my endo for a routine check when she asked if I ever got heartburn. I said not unless it was from a partial sz, and she asked if I had ever taken, or thought of taking, magnesium for them.

I was intrigued and asked her about it. She said supplemental mag could help some patients, and it was worth a shot, so I tried it...and instead of 30+ with intense cluster migraine and vomiting, I had about six short, mild episodes that left some mild fatigue. That's all! :) I have taken it daily with similar results about 95% of the time. :)

Of course, ask your doc about it, as it won't work for everyone and may even be dangerous, but it can possibly help, too. :)


Good luck!

LIZARD :)