HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Question re Seizures

Support Forums
>
Epilepsy
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/14/2005 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!  My name is Teri and after having a stroke ~ post bypass in August, 2004, my neurologist tells me after having an EEG, Ultra Sound of my Carotid arteries and an MRI/MRA of the brain done, that I now am having seizures and migraines caused by the stroke.  Apparently all the tests showed up irregular brain waves coming directly from that area.

 

My symptoms are only 15-20 min. of left sided facial numbness and tingling.  No aura's, no lights, no unconsciousness.  I go in next week to be put on medication for this.

 

Have any of you ever experienced this?  I'd be very greatful to hear of anything that comes close.  This is not considered to be Epilepsy, but I just wondered if any of your symptoms were similar.  They tell me, that if this is not controlled by medications that I could have another stroke.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice, or help.

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 5/15/2005 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Jennifer, that's why I came here to get some answers, but still none of the above fit my sequence. I know what's happening, and it's just the left side of my face. When I actually had my stroke it was the same thing, but the original stroke produced the numbness and tingling all the way down my left arm to the hand. Now it's just the face. I had headaches then and I have them now when these 'things' occur. I'm sorry, I sure didn't mean to put anyone on the spot, but as you can see, it is a bit scary.

Thank you for helping, Teri :)
Posted 5/15/2005 1:54 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you! 

I won't know the medication til this week-he said his nurse will call me on Monday, he wants to explain it all to me.  The medication will help with seizure activity, migraines, and that I was already on aspirin and Plavix for stroke prevention.  So perhaps I can shed more light on it then.  I just appreciate any help-cuz this is all new to me. 

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 5/15/2005 4:43 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Teri,

Sorry for what you are going through, pehaps you can "google"  on the web under TODDS PARALYSIS or BALLS PALSY.(not sure if I spelled that right)

This usually affects one side of the face or arm, causes numbness and/or slight disfiguration but is only temporary and lasts anywhere from a few mins. days or weeks.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find your answer.

Randy

Posted 5/15/2005 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
So sorry you have been through all of this!! Topamax is commonly given for seizures as well as for migraine. ZOnegran, Neurontin, Atican and Depakote also can help both problems...I sure hope you find one that helps....


I wonder if your numbness could be part of a partial seizure, either simple or complex partial possibly? I hope you find clear answers very soon.

I am just a mom and not a medical person, just read a lot since I have migraines and my two teens have both migraines and seizures.

Ginny
Posted 5/16/2005 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Ya'll!! tongue

 

You are all wonderful!  I'll post as soon as I know what med. he's going to put me on and keep you updated.

 

Please take care~Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 5/16/2005 5:02 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Teri-  So Sorry For All The Stuff You're Going Thru!!!

Wow, so you have to deal with a bypass, then a stroke, and now this!  Now wonder you just want some answers.  You definitely must be anxious.  I know I would certainly be.  You'll have to let us know how it goes as far as the medication thing is concerned.  We are all wondering what medication you are supposed to be getting.

  Your description of 15-20 minutes of left facial numbness and tingling - did you say if you had a headache with it or not?  If it was a migraine I would think it would last a lot longer than minutes,  ... migraines usually last hours (mine do).  Seizures usually last minutes, not hours. 

Since this feels like when you had your stroke, except not down your arm, is it possible you might be having little strokes, despite the aspirin and plavix you are on?

 What is your neuro going to do for additional workup?         Glenda :-)

Posted 5/16/2005 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Glenda, some wonderful questions!! What other workups would there be? This is not my area, so I'm very green. :)

I've asked them about the TIA's, small strokes, Bell's Palsy, etc. They say no and if it is that I'm covered with the Aspirin and Plavix.

I do get headaches, sometimes preceding and sometimes then for the rest of the day-but not horrible ones.

As I write this I'm having my 2nd one of the day (the facial numbness and tingling). It is really frustrating. He says part of my problem with certain med.'s is because of my heart problems. I had a heart attack in '98 that left me with the left front anterior of my heart dead and what's left of it is erratically beating, along with the apex of the heart dead as well. I've had a history of both left and right heart failure, which was being treated by med.'s, but due to low BP and angina, I'm just on Digoxin and a Nitro Dur patch of .4 mg. along with the Aspirin, Plavix, Zocor, and several others for GERD, depression, etc.

I'd appreciate any directions you'd like to give, Glenda, or anyone else!

Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 5/16/2005 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
whats goin on Teri.ya just keep adding more problems to your already full medical charts don't ya.hope doc gets you on something to help ya out.you take care and tell Brit I said hi
Posted 5/16/2005 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have an appt. on Wed. the 18th with my neuro Dr.-they called this morning and then Fri. I see my cardio Dr. re the carotid artery US and the MRI/MRA as well-he's actually the one that ordered those tests.

Hope you all are doing okay?? Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 5/17/2005 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Teri-  Glad to see that your cardio is taking care of you.  Hopefully this is something that isn't serious-but I'm happy you are being investigated.  He's obviously concerned because of your previous problems with the stroke and heart attack.  I'll be thinking about you tomorrow!!  Let us know how you do.       Glenda :-)
Posted 5/19/2005 12:00 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone!

The neuro Dr. said they can't rule out seizures, but that I definitely am having migraines. So they've started me with a gradual increase on Topamax. (Jennifer & kayakmom, you were right on!) tongue I have to also chart my 'auras' (the facial numbness) and depending on the increase in headaches, he may put me on more med.'s. I hope this one pill takes care of it all! :)

Thank you to all of you for your help during my 'worry time'!!  I'll pop in and pester you another time! lol

Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 5/19/2005 5:19 AM (GMT 0)

Teri-

Wow, sure hope the Topamax works for the headaches.  I was on it last year and had to stop because it caused numbness in my hands and feet and a strange 'cold' sensation in the middle of my body that the neuro said was related to the drug's effect on the nervous system.  I had to stop it after several months, but it did wonders for my seizures.  Oh well.  Hope you have better luck than I did!           Glenda :-)

Posted 5/19/2005 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, he told me to expect a numbness and tingling of the extremities and around the mouth-that it actually isn't a side effect, but expected if the drug is working-as it means it's getting into the nervous system. I will definitely be back and keep you all updated as I hope this just does the trick! Best wishes to you all, with big hugs, Teri :)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply