What is a seizure, anyway?: Epileptic seizures

» lonestar30 - Epileptic seizures

Hi Shannon!
Congrats on your year with Suite 101. As always, this is indeed an interesting and highly informative article. I was surprised to learn of the different types of seizures, and their effects. After my hemorrhagic stroke 16 years ago, I did not experience a seizure for six months. Then, oddly, an idiot acquaintance grabbed my left arm, thinking to show me how to make it mobile again, bent my left hand backward
very hard, and precipitated a grand mal! We were in a restaurant, and an ambulance was called. The ER neurologist said it had somehow sent a reverse signal to the brain. A second seizure occurred within the week, and my personal neurologist then put me on Dilantin, saying it would need to be taken for the rest of my life.
I reported that it made me feel extremely ill, but he increased the dosage, saying that would pass. It did not. He increased it again, and I felt even worse. Free of seizures, I was miserable, but followed directions until the day I had an anaphylactic reaction and was back in the ER with my throat closing. I was given something to counteract the allergic reaction my doctor had failed to observe in time. After being weaned off with a low dosage, I never took anything again, and have been free of seizures all these years. That neurologist, I was to learn, had so many malpractice suits against him that he eventually lost his license to practice. Thus, if a seizure patient begins to develop symptoms of allergy, such as a sinus-type headache, an asthmatic-like condition, and/or a constantly runny nose, he or she should consult the doctor again to see if a change in medication is needed. Anaphylactic reaction, which can be rapidly fatal in many instances, is displayed by puffiness in the face, especially around the eyes, and difficulty in swallowing. Although medication is essential in seizure treatment, the effects must be carefully monitored with each patient.
I was fortunate in that my episodes were externally caused and temporary, and empathize strongly with those who suffer them chronically.
Keep up the good work, Shannon!
Hugs,
Barbara/Lonestar

-- posted by lonestar30