Di, A neurologist diagnosed me with epilepsy (seizure disorder)last year, and he believes this was related to Lyme disease. I have 16 brain lesions and some are close to the cortex, which then causes neuronal irritation and thus more electrical firing. The lesions, if caused by Lyme, likely are the result of spirochetes in the brain creating microscopic tears that became microscopic scars or lesions. Scars do not go away. For that reason, my seizures may not ever go away, but they can be controlled.
Because they are not a one-time deal or a condition caused by something that can be altered in my system, like low blood sugar or high mercury, etc., the seizures are part of a seizure disorder, i.e. epilepsy. I have to take meds for a minimum of 4 years and if I have no seizures at all then I can see about decreasing and going off.
I have simple partial and complex partial seizures. Generalized seizures affect the whole brain and are also known as grand mal, which I don't have. Mine include everything from visions of lightning coming down, beautiful patterns, phantom smells, hallucinations, disorientation (jamai vu), and a sensation that the room is twisting or swinging. Those last only from 20 seconds - two minutes.
I have had some that make me feel suddenly nauseous and I think I am going to vomit. I lose all strength and collapse. Two minutes later, I am over it, but have a headache and am sleepy.
And I also have had episodes that make me feel as if I had just downed three martinis very quickly. In a matter of seconds --and without having had any alcohol --I feel as if I am drunk. My speech is slurred, I see double, I can't walk straught, the room is wobbly. The after-effects last about 45 minutes. And I have to go to sleep afterward.
The complex partials involve loss of awareness. I have no idea what I do during those and depend on others to tell me. I am unaware that anything has happened, though on occasion, I have noticed my house is askew. I am told I look like a zombie, wide awake but completely unreponsive. Sometimes I do repetitive things. I used to call those my memory black holes.
The med I am taking is Lamictal. It is not absorbed by the liver and has almost no drug interactions, so it is fine to take with antibiotics. You have to titrate up slowly, and the most serious sign to look for is a rash (no, not a Lyme rash. If the rash appears, you have to discontinue.
The only side effects I have with this are good. I sleep better at night without waking up constantly, as I did before. I have a much happier mood, almost too happy, and I laugh till I am weak when I hear jokes. I also am moved by music or anything beautiful with an exaggerated response of chills running down my spine and sometimes even tears of elation. Excessive joy is not bad, though it can be disconcerting. I don't have exaggerated bouts of the opposite, e.g., sadness, depression.
The best side effect is that it stopped the pain of my neuropathy in my feet completely. My feet still feel numb, but I don't have pain. That made a huge difference.
I can walk for hours without pain.
Since starting Lamictal, I have had only one seizure. My neurologist said it is important to control the seizures, because they can develop a pattern and start "kindling." About 70% of those with simple and complex partials develop generalized seizures over time.
My neurologist (who is with a major Epilepsy Center) favors Lamictal over Neurontin and others, because he feels it has the least amount of side effects. Neurontin can affect cognition. Lamictal does not.
Because I was diagnosed with complex partials, I had my drivers license yanked. I don't mind that, but when I had to register for a state ID, I had to check a box under why my license revoked. The choices said something like, "illegal drugs, DUI, or epilepsy." It is rather unfortunate that seizures are lumped with bad behavior.
The fact that your seizures occur more often during your period is not uncommon at all among women. Some women have them only then. And among those with seizures, many have them only at night or upon waking. Mine happen mostly then, but I began having more and more at other hours of the day, which led to my seeking advice from a neurologist.
The medicine best for you would also depend on your type of seizures. But if you are going to be prescribed medication, ask about Lamictal.
Good luck with this.
Pooch
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