Help regarding partial seizures

March 2, 2009 6:35 PM

I have never had seizures before. I am a 24yr old male. Recently I had multiple partial seizures which lasted approx. one hour each time. They took place over the course of one week. Since my last episode I have been mild/moderately dizzy, and see lights/spots/visual disturbances everywhere I look. The severity of this has varied, but it is always there. I have felt this way now for over a week. It is really difficult to function normally. My doctor was somewhat helpful, but gave no advice on how to deal with or preferably stop my current symptoms. I would appreciate any suggestions/answers from anyone who is familiar with this problem. Thank you for your time.

I found this following description online. I believe this is what I have. I was dieting very strictly while taking Lamictal. Personally, I think that is what caused my seizures.

Nonconvulsive
Complex partial status epilepticus, or CPSE, and absence status epilepticus are rare forms of the condition which are marked by nonconvulsive seizures. In the case of CPSE, the seizure is confined to a small area of the brain, normally the temporal lobe. But the latter, absence status epilepticus, is marked by a generalised seizure affecting the whole brain, and an EEG is needed to differentiate between the two conditions. This results in episodes characterized by a long-lasting stupor, staring and unresponsiveness.

Epilepsia partialis continua is a variant involving hour, day, or even week-long jerking. It is a consequence of vascular disease, tumours, or encephalitis, and is drug-resistant.


Under the definition for Status epilepticus one of the causes is:

Dieting or fasting while on an anticonvulsant. Those with epilepsy or who are on anticonvulsants are advised to consult with their physicians prior to dieting or fasting

posted by gibbsjd77 to health & fitness (11 comments total)

Did you see a neurologist or your GP?
posted by jerseygirl at 6:45 PM on March 2

As someone with right temporal lobe complex-partial seizures , I say get your ass back to the doctor (you're seeing a neurologist, right? If not, DO!) and ask him/her a) all your questions and b) to get your med levels checked.
posted by Stewriffic at 6:47 PM on March 2 [1 favorite has favorites]

You really need a neurologist. This is not something that strangers on the internet should be trying to help you (self)-diagnose.
posted by NucleophilicAttack at 6:47 PM on March 2 [2 favorites has favorites]

Second opinion is in order. A good doctor will help you find the answers you need, and not leave you speculating online.
posted by scarello at 6:48 PM on March 2

If you have multiple seizures that last an hour each and you continue to feel dizzy and your doctor shrugs his shoulders, you need a new doctor. Go find a new doctor.
posted by alms at 7:10 PM on March 2 [1 favorite has favorites]

My doctor was somewhat helpful, but gave no advice on how to deal with or preferably stop my current symptoms.

Sooo, you're having seizures, and your doctor has no advice?

Ummm... Nthing new doctor! Stat!
posted by SquidLips at 8:32 PM on March 2 [1 favorite has favorites]

Another voice in the chorus: get thee to a neurologist, pronto!! My wife had a significant seizure last spring, pretty much out of the blue, that resulted in her being status epilepticus for several terrifying hours. The critical care physician and the emergency neurologist intubated her and put her into a drug induced coma for 48 hours, while simultaneously administering an anti-convulsive. She was in ICU for three days total, and another three days in various recovery wards. Long, scary story short: she had a brain lesion (cavernous malformation) that required some very delicate surgery to repair. She's fine now (!!!), but I aged about 400 years; this shit is nothing to be trifled with. Oh, and the cost for the 6 day emergency hospital stay? $105K; the brain surgery was another $150k. Very thankfully, all of this was covered by her insurance, but it took an MRI and a competent neurologist to determine what was going on.

Go to the right sort of doctor, and get yourself thoroughly checked out. Let the neurologist make the diagnosis! It is cheaper to do the exam on your own terms, before you collapse in some inconvenient place, or behind the wheel of a vehicle.
posted by mosk at 9:05 PM on March 2

If the doctor you're referring to is a GP you're definately being steered wrong. You should be being checked out by a neurologist. Anyone who came into my ED with a seizure who'd never had one in the past would get a CT scan of their brain at a very minimum.
posted by Silentgoldfish at 9:22 PM on March 2

Nthing a neuro, stat! GPs are great for referring you to the right people, and prescribing continuing meds, and for really simple stuff, but other that that.... you need a specialist.
posted by cgg at 9:39 PM on March 2

Yeah, this is panic-level stuff. Get to a neuro.
posted by Malor at 7:53 AM on March 3

I certainly appreciate all of the helpful answers to my question. A few additional facts relating to my initial question are as follows. I am seeing a neurologist and I have had an MRI and CAT scan. I am having a 24hr EEG tomorrow. The spots/lights in my vision are still fairly constant but occasionally become very strong. I would love to hear any ideas on how to cope with feeling spaced out and useless for 2+ weeks. I have been unable to function normally for this amount of time and it is driving me nuts. I am frustrated with myself for not snapping out of it. Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.
posted by gibbsjd77 at 3:01 PM on March 4