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Posted 12/26/2007 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm new here and this is my first post. I was wondering if anyone else has ever had a seizure due to pain? Not like head trauma pain, but just accident pain. I've had approximately 52 Grand-Mal seizures in the past 30 years. All of these seizures except one have had to do with pain. Once I got bit by a dog, once my back popped out of place, once I fell down some stairs. On and on and on. I'm now awaiting diagnosis because as a child my pediatrician just told my mother not to let me hurt myself. about a month ago I had a GM for what seemed to be no apparent reason. My husband found me in the bathroom and took me to the ER. They referred me to a neurologist who in turn referred me to the epileptologist. I am now awaiting results on EEG and MRI. I am now no longer allowed to drive. It just seems as though pain has never really been listed as a trigger. Even the epi said that it was strange. Is there anyone else out there who has seizures due to pain? Any response is appreciated.
Posted 1/13/2008 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
A friend our the family has a daughter who "passes out" from even mild pain.She has hit her elbow on the counter and passed out. She was on the soccer field and when bumbed she "hit the ground" and was out for about 10 minutes. She has even bumbed her arm in the sink and passes out. No one knows what it is; I call it SCAREY. I would be interested to see if they determine pain as the seizure trigger in your case, keep us posted if you would.
Posted 1/24/2008 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Well I got my test results back and had an appointment to go over them with my epileptologist who came right out and said, "I don't know why. Take the lamictal, and I'm going to up your dose." When I was a child I would have seizures from mild pain. As I got older it would take more intense pain to cause them. One thing that was abnormal on my eeg was my heart rate. My blood pressure was 90/66 and my pulse went from 60 to 110 during the eeg. My epi feels as if I need to go back to the cardiologist to have something called a holster test to record heart rate for 24 hours. He also said that pain is an extremely rare trigger and that I am the first patient that he has ever met with this. He said that he was pretty sure that I am epileptic but since the eeg/mri was inconclusive and that he could not tell whether my seizures are caused by electrical impulses, he couldn't say for sure. I have to return to him in 3 months, preferably(to him) after I have had this holster test. Perhaps your friends daughter could have her heart checked too? I honestly don't know what is wrong with me. 3 months ago after having tests to double check my heart, the cardiologist said that I was fine. He did not do this holster test though. Good luck and if my cardiologist wants to do this test, I will keep you posted if it has anything to do with my pain triggered seizures.
Posted 9/15/2008 1:41 PM (GMT 0)

I too have had seizures caused by moderate pain. I am 39 yrs old, and I had one yesterday for the first time in almost 20 years. My first one was caused by a sharp metal door scraping my foot when I was in high school. I made it quickly to the nurses office because I felt I was going to pass out. I did, and went into a full seizure. I had another one from a dog bite in college (funny coincidence that you did too). One from slamming my finger in a heavy door. And yesterday I fell down the stairs in my house due to slippery new slippers. I scared the heck out of my 13 year old son, who called 911 because he thought I was dying.

I can't believe that this is that rare that there isn't more information on the web about it. Did you get any answers to your questions?

Posted 9/15/2008 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Beci,
My daughter was having seizures every time she got hurt or her body was in pain. We did do a blood test and her vitamin D level was super low. she now take it in a large dose two times a week and has been seizure free. Hope this helps....Okonner
Posted 3/11/2010 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
I have also had the same problem involving pain and seizures. When I was about 11 yrs. old I woke up in the morning, made my self some toast, went and sat on the couch, started feeling light headed, and passed out and had a seizure (no pain involved). I was then taken to every doctore imaginable, had CAT scans and electrodes stuck to my head, and on and on and on. One of the things that I had to do was have my blood drawn. During that I also passed out and had a seizure with the needle in my arm (really scared the new phlobotomist). The end result and answer from all of the doctors was that everything seemed normal and it was probably just due to age. Didn't have another incident until I was 18 and I got my tongue pierced. I noticed that there was a similarity after each incident happened. They gave me juice to raise my blood sugar levels. Since no one else has told me why this is happening I have attributed it to the fact that my blood sugar level drastically drops. Now any time that I feel like I'm going to pass out I grab a juice or piece of chocolate and that gets me feeling normal again. I am deathly afraid of passing out and having a seizure because every time that I have had one, I have been around other people...I don't know what would happen if I were by myself! I'm glad that I'm not the only one out there that has had this problem! Let me know if you guys have noticed any similiar problems. Thanks
Posted 4/25/2010 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
I am shocked to be reading about other people who have this stange condition.  When I was very young (age 2), my mother said I fell from a chair and had a seizure.  The doctor said this was not uncommon, and that I would out grow it.  Around age 7, I began having them again.  Pain is also my trigger.  One time I hit my knee on the vacume, another bent my finger back, and so on.  The strange thing is that my most common trigger, and the only reason for them now is intestinal pain.  I suffer from IBS and when constipated, I have them.  I usually only have them once-twice a year.

During mine, they range from only 30 seconds, to several minutes.  They are characteristic of GM, including clinching in a fetile position and shaking.  I do not breath and turn colors. 

When I was in second grade, I had my heart monitored for about 48 hours with no abnormal results.  The doctors said I would out grow them again....Here I am 24 years old and still having boughts atleast one time a year. 

The reason I have started doing research it that my husband and I are consitedering starting to have children.  I am concerned about labor and my doctors' attitudes reguarding my condition.  It has been my experience that doctors do not understand what I am telling them unless they witness the seisures.  - My pediatrician learned this first hand when I was 17 and recieved a shot in my butt... I had one right in his offfice.

Please share any information you have about having children with this stange condition.  Thanks!!!

Posted 5/5/2010 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
i do not have the pain thing, but i have a son, and its very important that is you are considering children you start taking folic acid now, to offset any effects the meds may have on the baby.
And also be prepared to have your levels tested often and to have your meds upped while you are pregnant.
as for the pain of birth, you can have an epidural and not even feel it. While its happening, but you will feel it afterwards.
Posted 6/11/2010 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
When my son falls on his butt hard, he cries really oddly, arches his back and neck and then passes out. The first time this happened he passed out and hit his head on the concrete which resulted in a concussion. He has never had muscle movements but just the other symptoms listed above. I am currently going for a second opinion. The doctor said he hasen't heard of seizures being brought on by pain but it could be possible. I am so surprised to hear other people experience this. Has anyone arched their back and neck before passing out?
Posted 1/22/2011 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there. I am also new to this forum... and the pain induced seizures. The last 2 times I've "hurt" myself I've felt like fainting and next thing you know my partner is looking at me like they've seen a ghost. The first time was 6 months ago, I was camping and put out my back. I was standing saying "I think I'm going to faint" and then the horrible feeling of electricity and buzzing in a bad dream happened. When I woke up I was on the ground soaking wet and just wanted to fall asleep. 2 minutes later I was vomiting and had another one because the pain wouldn't go away. I just stiffen up like a board, no shaking or anything. I'm told my eyes are fixed and dilated and it lasts about 15 seconds (which feels like minutes to me). I can see a little but it's fuzzy during - and I could hear a little what my partner was saying during it. When I come out of it my eyes roll back and then I'm coherent again... then sick. The ambulance took me to the hospital and my CT scan/blood work were normal.

It happened again last week when I got a charlie-horse cramp in my stomach muscle while bending over. It was very painful and i felt the faintness kick in. I knew right away what happened when I came out of it and was still sitting up in my chair. Milder pain doesn't do anything (thank God). I have all the other tests coming up MRI, EKG, EEG, x-rays and more blood work and my doctor legally had to suspend my drivers license too. He asked if I've been under a lot of stress or lack of sleep - which I have been. This sucks and I will definitely look into the vitamin D thing that Okonner was saying.

I used to faint when I was a kid if I would smack my kneecap or elbow too hard on something. I haven't fainted in 25 years at least and now twice during pain the last 6 months. I hate the thought of taking drugs so want to try anything natural if possible! My doctor laughed at me when I said that and said the Ontario Government won't take that as an answer for medication or give me my license back if that's all I do. We'll see!
Posted 1/30/2011 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I am 25 years old i have had this problem my whole life but have just realized it recently, since i was a child i would see back or pass out every time i would hit my elbow as i have gotten older every time i get hurt i have a seizure i had my first real seizure in 2008 from hitting my elbow on a tanning bed then in 2009 my knee caps got pinned and again seizure then on oct. 22nd of this year i had a full gran mall after falling from a counter and i was diagnosed epileptic the state of California has pulled my drivers license and all. the tests have come back normal (EEG and MRI's) my neurologist says that does not mean that i am not epileptic it just means during the test i had no abnormal brain activity he claims they are pain induced seizures not common but any thing can trigger a seizure a song a noise a light you name it. I will be seeing another nerologist at some point for another opinion but at this point i am taking topamax. The hardest part for me is that i take this strong medicine every day to prevent the chance that i might get hurt and i might have a seizure. who really know it does feel good to know that im not allone there that there are more people out there like me.

also weird note i am also very low on Vitamin D i tan in a bed for 10 min a week to up my vit. D levels

Ashley
Posted 2/14/2011 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi it's me again. I was finally "mostly" diagnosed with my pain-induced seizures. My neurologist is pretty sure I have Vasovagal Syncope (in layman's terms, fainting spells that can also mimic seizures). I'm Canadian so all my tests etc are covered and they have been putting me through the ringer. I've had the eeg, cat scan, ekg, blood work and all have been great! I still have my mri to go as he wants to check for scar tissue in my brain - but I think it'll be fine. He is now looking at getting my heart checked out because this condition is likely more of a cardio issue. Lower blood pressure and a situation that causes stress can trigger it. (Eg: pain). I'll be having an ultra sound of my heart that too. I am only writing specific to my condition an not a doctor but ask your neurologist about this at least. My neuro has faxed a letter to the ministry of transportation stating I am fine to drive WHEW!! Just wanted to give light to a few people who may have no idea what's going on and some hope that it's just a "thing" we do. I hope this helps! Here's a couple links: http://136.159.162.3/vasovagal_syncope.html, http://www.chrsonline.ca/patients/vasovagal_syncope.htm

Marnie
Posted 3/13/2011 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
I also have had these seizures that only come with severe pain. I was told by my doctor that it too is a vagal seizure and not to worry about it. I just have to tell nurses before I get a shot that this happens. Basically the caregiver should keep me in a safe position with my feet above my head. My EEG was normal but my blood pressure was very low when it happened once at the ER. My daughter had one today after she got her hand stuck in a chair (she ripped her hand out and it tore off her fingernail.) She's fine now but it's very scary to watch her do it. Once I realized what was happening to her I gave her the same care I was advised to do before and she stopped seizing.
I have had two kids and the first time my epidural wore off at the pivotal moment.. I never seized and that was my worst pain ever!!
Interesting fact about vitamin d though. We'll try to bump that up.
Posted 5/6/2011 7:45 AM (GMT 0)
I started looking for information on this just now, I am 21 years old and last night I hit just below my elbow, possibly my funny bone, on the sharp corner of a wooden table and the pain was immense, but what followed was an incredibly uncomfortable feeling, the feeling that i was about to pass out, and full body sweating and over heating. I did not seizure but i knew I was about to since this feeling had happened to me twice in the past and I know how to handle it... even though its scary as hell and during the situation I'm never sure if it will pass without a seizure until the feeling is gone.

First let me explain my first experience with my pain induced seizure problem. In my high school hallway a friend of mine pretended to shoot me from down the hall, so I pretended to get shot and fell back with quite the lack of grace, I slammed both of my elbows against the hard ground and although they hurt, the pain wasn't all that bad so i stood up and began walking, seeing this my friend continued on her way and I was now the only one in the hallway. After about ten second my body began to feel strange, VERY lightheaded and queasy as i recall and my vision faded to black while standing. I woke up full body shaking with the janitor standing by me trying to get me to snap to reality. I had pissed my pants and chipped my front tooth during the 2 or 3 minutes i estimate i was out. Like some of you went to get checked out afterwards with no results, EEG machines and doctors alike say I'm normal.

Whatever is really happening in the body to induce seizures from pain i believe the key is to control the inevitable light headed feeling before it passes a certain point. I know someone mentioned sugary fruit juice but sometime food or drink isnt going to be in your pocket and the escalation can happen very fast. My best move is simply to lay down. Even if im wrong this is how it works in my mind. The shock from the pain lowers the heart rate and drastically drops your blood pressure, which while standing will take a toll on the highest part of you while your blood now not being pumped as settles due to gravity in your legs and lower abdomen. laying down takes this into account and makes it so your brain can still keep a nice amount of blood in it during the ordeal. Ive tried this twice, once last night and the other a few years back in gym class and have successfully avoided the seizure each time. Also the terrible lightheaded feeling and uncomfortableness doesn't go away instantly by laying down, keep your composure and wait for it to pass. Even if you feel you might puke as well do not get up and try to make it to the bathroom, as this exertion will more than likely trigger the seizure.

Good luck! and to pain induced seizures.. good riddance!
-Devon
Posted 5/25/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi my name is Melony and I am also new to this, it's about my husband he can have up to 100/200 non epileptic seizures aday, he has had an MRI and EEG they both came back fine, he also had a greater and lesser oppictal nerve block done on March 27th 2009 and has had these seizures since. I am interested to know if anyone is going through the same type of thing or have came across this before if so is there any suggestions or advice .

Thanks
Posted 6/3/2011 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I am 28 and I have had seizures due to pain. I went to the hospital in 2009 and the doctors told me I have vasovagal. But if you read up on vasovagal I do not have any of the symptoms.Such as lightheadedness, nausea, feeling hot, ringing in ears, stuttering,weakness, visual disturbances. I have pain and then I wake up after being passed out. I was in a medical office in 2003 when I had my first adult episode and the medical staff told me I had a seizure. Yet vasovagal says you just pass out. Does anyone know what to call this when you have a seizure due to pain?

Amanda

Post Edited (frecklez) : 6/3/2011 1:38:26 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/3/2011 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Frecklez when my husband first started to have his seizures doc's kept saying his was thought to be pain related but even after having a procedure done 27/03/09 the pain was still bad, even though he's on A LOT of pain relief meds and the pain is not as bad as it was but is there all the time, so I carn't see how they can be pain related with the level of pain decreased. @Once an ambulance technicial whitnessed one of his seizures and said it was a psuedo seizure, if that's any help to you.

Thanks Melony
Posted 6/7/2011 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Melony, I will looking in to psuedo seizures.

Amanda
Posted 6/9/2011 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I never thought pain could have been the reason that my seizures came back. I had them starting at 14, outgrew them by 17 because of a very small bump or even a nudge to the head, then at 31 I started having back pain. When my back pain started, I had to see a pain dr. who tried every kind of pain med. I am 43 now. So for 12 yrs different dr.s have put me on pain meds that epileptic's should not be on. My seizures have been back now for about 4 to 5 yrs. I don't know if it is because of the pain or the meds. I had just presumed that when I discovered how stupid my dr. was about the meds that was the reason they had returned. At one time my pm dr. actually stated in front of me at a office visit "this might interfere with your seizure meds, well, maybe not". I had a app. with my neuro dr. 3 days later and when he found out what she put me on he freaked out! The reason that I stopped seeing her was she gave me a med that actually sent me into a seizure twice in one day, and I had one the very next day before we figured it out. I hadn't had a seizure in almost 2 yrs before that. At the same time that I stopped taking the pain meds I also had a procedure to help control my pain without meds so I won't know if it's the pain meds or the pain. The next time I go to my neuro I'll ask him if he's heard anything about this. My neuro is very easy to talk to, always takes his time, makes sure any and all of my questions are answered.
Posted 6/15/2011 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am a new member. I have epilepsy. I feel an aura nearly every time I feel pain of the intense deep ache variety or with any deep stinging. I used to be quite athletic - a dancer and a martial artist, but I blew out my knee practicing ballet and I can't exercise any longer without feeling intensely afraid that I will have a seizure. Needless to say, I gained some weight and it's making me crazy. Also, the meds had every side effect from grogginess to suicidal thoughts. So here I am, not treated and unable to exercise. How does one deal? I want to be fit as well as seizure free and I seem to be stuck as an unfit pretty frequently seizure-d person. I also get nauseous. My fiance is both a doctor and a marathon runner and he doesn't get it at all. I need some input.
Posted 6/15/2011 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
oh, and the times I've seized due to deep achy pain... I had a seizure when I flipped over on my handle bars of my bike, when I injured my knee, when I have over exerted myself during private moments with my fiance, i broke my foot and any time that any old injury is aggravated. Usually the pain has to be deep. I also have a seizure upon any charlie horse ot bump on my funny bone. It's awful. what kind of specialists have any of you found helpful?
Posted 6/15/2011 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't had my app with my neuro yet so I haven't been able to ask him about the relationship between pain and seizures but my husband and I did find ourselves in the same "situation" as you and your fiance. I didn't have a complete seizure, just and aura, but that was enough. I am fortunate enough to be married to the best man on the planet because my husband can actually talk me "out" when I'm having a seizure. That doesn't mean he can talk me out of the frustration, horrible headaches, meds, or neuro app, not to mention ekg's, or losing my license! Nope, he's the best hubby but he is human. Has anyone tried massage? I've had so much physical therapy w/massage maybe that has kept some of my seizures at bay. I'll ask my neuro that too.
Posted 7/7/2011 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
That's interesting ... massage ... i find that tense muscles make me more susceptible and I feel great after hot baths. Makes sense because when you're tense your nerves get pinched
Posted 7/9/2011 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
I've been wondering a lot about pain and seizures as well, and whether or not these could be related. 

I have a history of general inflammatory pain flare-ups for years, positive bloodwork indicating inflammation, symptoms of an autoimmune disease, but not enough to diagnose me with one.  I developed myoclonic jerking a few years ago when I was going through some bad flare-ups, which the neuro thought was due not to epilepsy but likely due to the inflammation and pain.  A few weeks ago I started having seizure-like episodes on a daily basis: I could feel them coming on, feel some kind of nauseous feeling, would get extremely sensitive to sound, get this "odd" sensation going through my body, then it would feel like my body was on fire, I'd be in terrible pain, and then I would collapse to the floor and have convulsions.  I never lost consciousness, I don't believe, but was partially conscious - I was aware of something going on at the time, but I couldn't remember much after an actual episode.  I was usually unable to move or talk right after an episode, a few times I had numbness and temporary paralysis in my legs for a few minutes.  Then I would "come to" and have a bad headache and pain in my joints, all over body pain, and extreme fatigue.  So far I've had a normal MRI and EEG, and the neurologist doesn't think these episodes are seizures.  It is possible it could be related to the pain and inflammation flare-ups, but how?  That's the big question.  I just know that my inflammation and antibody levels are more elevated than they were a few years ago, this has been the worst flare-up I've ever had.  But as the flare-up has progressed I'm having more localized pain in my joints, and not as much generalized, all over body pain, and the seizure-like episodes have ended and now I'm only having occasional myoclonic jerks - very odd!  I don't think I have epilepsy, but these are seizure-like episodes that do seem to be provoked by pain and inflammation.  The neurologist has no answer for me, so I'm just hoping a rheumatologist will.

Posted 7/12/2011 2:28 AM (GMT 0)

I am 37 years old and the first episode of pain-induced blackout and subsequent seizure was in high school after giving blood.  I was fine until I was sitting at the juice and cookie table.  Like a poster above, I knew that I had a seizure due to the fact that I had wet myself smhair also and was 'out of phase with reality' for a while.  The next time I remember having an episode was when I was 19 and foul-tipped a baseball off the inside handle (my dad was pitching to me and said if I could hit a baseball then I should have no problem hitting the sweet spot on a softball).  It went straight into my nose and I remember the pain but apparently I taught my dad some new words, began seizing and stopped breathing.  When I came too (though very groggy), I remember him making the off-hand comment (trying to make me laugh and make it light-hearted about what had just happened) that he hoped I didn't have any diseases (I had had mono at 13) and he had blood on his face from him giving me rescue breaths {insert ewwww here because I did at 19 and still do to this day but he was genuinely freaked out and thought I was dying skull because he thought that small bone had gone into my brain causing the seizure and no breathing}.  I have had SEVERAL episodes since then - ALL pain related.  I even had one where I swallowed too much milk and felt it stretch my esophagus all the way down.  The pain was intense and I was out of it (confusion and exhaustion) for several hours.  However, I have had 2 children and issues with my gall bladder but never had issues with pain related to those, no matter how intense it was.  It is almost as if it is a sudden intense pain that causes them and not a gradual onset.  Incidently, I fell a couple of months ago (HARD) and felt the nausea start so I sat down.  I told my husband that I felt faint, laid back on the pavement and then the blackness came.  I had a mini seizure (not the possible Gran Mal that I normally have) since I came out of it pretty quick and did not have the confusion and exhaustion that normally accompanies the usual.  I have talked to my mom about them and she said she thought I would have outgrown them by now so I came to the internet and found out I am not alone.  It seems that no one (doctors) can determine what causes it and most have never heard of it but apprently it is common as there are so many of us on thsi particual thread.  My son may suffer from the same thing as he has had one episode so far (when he popped a blister from a fire-ant bite on his finger).  It was a sudden intense pain and he hit the floor and had a mini-seizure.  Maybe it may also have something to do with a sudden drop in blood pressure when the fight or flight response kicks in due to pain????  I experience a lot of the systemic responses to Fight or Flight, like tunnel vision and hearing loss, etc... That's the only thing I can think.  Maybe our wiring is different and we are the fainting goats of the human population?  Just trying to add humor to my own little world since these episodes truly stress me and I have enough stress already.  Has anyone found anything since the last post a few months ago?

I hope you all have a wonderful day and remember, you are not alone tongue

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