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My daughter had a seizure.

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Posted 1/14/2009 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
My beautiful healthy 21 year old daughter had a seizure a few days ago and I guess I'm still in shock. I'd appreciate some feedback from you folks who have so much more knowledge and experience with seizures.

A week before she had minor surgery and was given general anesthesia. She took ultram for the pain.

A few days later she had what she thought was a migraine. It was very severe, but I don't know exactly where the pain was. I need to find out. Again she took Ultram (she refuses to take lortab because of the way it makes her feel)

Then for 2 days she studied 8 hrs a day for an intersession class. Talked of headache and nausea but continued to be happy and cheerful, as is typical of her.

The 2nd evening she drove to her dad's and 5 min later had a seizure. eyes moved, arms flailed, and she bit her tongue on both sides pretty severely. Her body became completely stiff. Of course she has no memory of that or much of the evening.

She was sent home after cat scan and blood work were normal. Dr. said the seizure was a side effect of the ultram.

That doesn't sound logical to me. If so, why is she still having headaches and nausea 5 days later.

Tomorrow (in 5 hrs) she has appt with neurologist for eeg & full workup.

I'm looking for information, opinions, and for someone to tell me everything will be ok and this will never happen again. As someone who suffers from a chronic illness I've always been thankful that I didn't become ill till I was in my 50's and got to raise my kids while I was healthy. I can't imagine my child going through this. I have so much sympathy for you folks who suffer from seizures. I'm so tired right now that I need to go but I do want info on how you get around, drive, etc. Forgive my rambling.

Thanks,

Pat
Posted 1/15/2009 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Pat,
I usually post on the chronic pain forum, but I've had a seizure disorder since I was 14 (I'm almost 60 now) so once in awhile check out this forum.

I'm glad your daughter is getting a complete work-up. It's good to have everything ruled out, but ultram can cause seizures. It's one of the reasons I won't take it to help with my pain. Also, you mention she was studying. Sleep deprivation can also contribute. But along with the headache everything should be looked at by a neurologist, which is what you're doing.

Your daughter may have just had a seizure, but that doesn't mean she has epilepsy or a seizure disorder. It could be other factors, including the ultram, that caused it. I don't know what type of surgery she had, but maybe that was a factor. At worst, even if the doctors do find a seizure disorder, it's good she has it diagnosed now. There are many, many medications to choose from and many people continue to live normal, productive lives. You may see a disproportionate number of problems on the forums, because people who aren't having problems probably aren't posting.

I've lived a full life. Still drive. Was a tenured professor, ran my own business, etc. My problems started a few years ago with a bad fall that had nothing to do with my epilepsy. And that led to back problems, chronic pain issues, etc. If not for that I'd never be posting here. I never had any major problems, just some long term side effects from my meds that were handled. So try not to think the worst.

Your post made me wonder what my parents thought when I had my first seizures at the breakfast table when I was 14. I remember how worried they were. Again, try to relax. It's probably not a worst case scenario.

I hope this helps some.

PaLady
I just noticed you're a veteran member. If I don't respond to any future posts drop me a note on the chronic pain forum and I'll do my best to help.

Post Edited (PAlady) : 1/14/2009 10:31:44 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/16/2009 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
PaLady,

Thanks so much for alleviating many of my worries. I don't know what the life of a person with a seizure disorder looks like, but it appears that yours is normal. To be able to drive and teach is what my daugter wants to do.

She had an EEG yesterday and I was told to expect a call from the radiologist (or neurologist) yesterday afternoon or today, so I'm anxious for the phone to ring.

I'm a member of the lupus forum but since I have chronic pain I may pop into your forum some time.

Thanks again.

Pat
Posted 1/17/2009 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
The dr. called around noon with good results. No seizure activity seen in the EEG & he thinks it was a one time event. I was so relieved that I went to bed and slept all afternoon. My daughter was unfazed. Wait till she has kids.
Posted 1/17/2009 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Patty,
That's great. My EEG's have always been normal, too, but I don't think that means your daughter has a chronic condition. She may just be sensitive to medications that cause seizures (like ultram). Probably combined with a lot of other factors. And like I said, even if she has another one it doesn't mean her life has to change. The overwhelming majority of seizure disorders are controllable with meds. Few people I've even worked with know about mine.

I'm glad it turned out that way. If you ever have more questions find me over at the CP forum!

PaLady
Posted 1/20/2009 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
PaLady, thanks for your support during a scary week. I hope you're doing well.

Pat
Posted 3/11/2009 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering if they figured out what caused your daughter's seizure?
I am 25 and had my first seizure 3 months ago. I was taking Ultrams for my back problems and the doctors think that may have been what caused it. I really feel that the manufacturer of Ultram should be held accountable.
I hope you and your family are doing well
Posted 7/22/2009 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I also had a grand mal seizure and suspect it was because of medication, namely Ultram and Pristiq. I take it for chronic knee pain/arthritis and panic/anxiety disorder, respectively. I am a 26 year-old female and yes, I do have early onset arthritis in my right knee because i had knee surgery 2 years ago. No meniscus left in the knee. Anyway... Yeah I had a seizure last week and ended up in the ER. They did a whole bunch of tests and did not see anything wrong...said i was nice and healthy. I havent had an EEG yet but I think it will come back normal. The combination of my medications produced no side effects for an entire year and now all of a sudden this happened. I am hoping its a one time thing but it looks like I'm going to need to find different medication.
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