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seizures during sleep

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Posted 9/23/2007 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I was born with epilepsy and have struggled with it off and on all of my life.  Lately, I have been having what seem to be seizures at night when I am trying to go to sleep.  I get these really bright flashes of light (eyes closed) and my breathing and body feel jerky.  Last night they lasted for some time.  It seems to hit when I am in a deepening state of sleep.  Does anyone else have this?  My breathing feels jerky and my body, although it doesn't actually jerk, feels the same.  I have had many eegs as an adult, but i never seem to have a siezure when I have the wires attached!  Can anyone give me some validation?
Posted 9/24/2007 11:36 AM (GMT 0)

Hi there and Welcome to Healingwell,

Like Gracies Mom, I am curious to know what the neuro has said about this. It does sound like night seizures but I am not a doctor. Do you take any meds for your epilepsy? It is possible that an increase / change in meds would solve the problem.

Darren

Posted 9/26/2007 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

 I've been experiencing a lot of these symtoms in my sleep, biting my tongue, grinding my teeth, breathing, etc. I

I just went to Cleveland Clinic, and the doctor there said immedietly "I think your having seizures in your sleep."  9yrs, and three doctors later, and he was the FIRST person to have even mentioned this!! 

I too, have never had any seizure activity recorded on my eeg's.  I would definetly inform your doctor about this, I told my doctors about what I was experiencing at night, but for whatever reason they didn't say anything about night seizures.  I also agree with Darren, a change in your med level may help this. Good luck!

Posted 9/26/2007 6:21 PM (GMT 0)

 Bella confused scool

Re EEG not showing any abnormal activity: Sometime epileleptic activity hide deed withun the brain and doesn't show up on an EEG or MRI.

Have you had a 24 hour EEG where they can monitor your brain waves during your sleep ?

Or been to a sleep clinic?

I was having the same thing as you for 28 years and found this study VERY interesting.

Re Having seizures during or just before you sleep: Could be due to lack of oxygen to the brain while you sleep from sleep aids such as certain AEDs, sleeping pills, severe snoring or some sort of restriction to the airway.

I have recently been dx'd with Chronic Obstructive Sleep Apnia.
After my sleep disorders test the Dr. showed me the EEG from one night, I would stop breathing up to 50 times/hour and had 3 seizures and that I was waking up "post ictal" (moody and spaced out)
I have recently purchased a CPAP machine (Constant Positive Air Pressure) which provides constant air pressure and have noticed a vast improvement.
No more snoring (the whole family sleeps better now), more energy when I wake up, better REM sleep, improved memory (less short term memory loss), and most of all ~ NO MORE NIGHT SEIZURES.
Now maybe my Neurologist can reduce my meds.
I'm surprised that finally after 28 years I finally get an answer.

Randy

Posted 10/6/2007 9:39 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks to all of you for your responses.  I have had it happen a couple of times since.  I take Klonopin but no other epilepsy drugs.  They never seemed to help.  I had a cervial spine MRI done, which shows bone growth, fusion, and impedement of my spinal cord.  My chiropractor thinks there could be lack of spinal fluid to my "junction box" at the base of my brain.  That is the closest I have come.  I have had 2 24 hour  eegs, both of which failed to produce any abnormal brain activity.  I guess sometimes there just aren't any difinitive answers to our ailments!

Thhanks again.

Posted 10/7/2007 8:21 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Bella,

It is true what you say. Sometimes, despite all the medical technology around, we cannot get a definitive answer and for some people that is very frustrating. You are the expert on your body and if you have have epilepsy all your life, then you know what a sz feels like for you.

Darren

Posted 10/9/2007 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the kind words, everyone. I just learned that a very close family member has what is more than likely terminal cancer. My sz activity seems to be exacerbated by stress. I am also having minor surgery next week. Regardless of what happens with my sz, I am so thankful that mine are as minor as they are. I will be sure to keep up on my sleep and attempt to eat well so I am confident that I will fare well. I have recently been reminded (painfully) that it could always be worse.

Thank you again.
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