(Corrected on 9/10/09) E Residual effects could be either symptomatic of the swelling that occurred or of the initial cause of the E. In the beginning I experienced all of the residual effects with the exception of headaches, chronic pain and seizures. I was able to overcome or adapt to all of these weakness although without spell check and a calculator I would be up the creek without a paddle. I can’t walk heel to toe so if stopped for DWI I fail the test.
If I have ever had seizures they were unobtrusive and unnoticeable to both me and others around me. I wonder if when I was "in deep thought" and appeared to be staring off into space Drs would have considered that a seizure. Some of the most helpful rehab moments occurred during those deep thinking moments. As visualized the steps I needed to take to accomplish a task. Throughout my life both pre & post E I have used this type of pinpoint concentration as a tool for problem solving and an escape from stress. You know the “ hello earth to Johnny” concentration I am talking about.
Please describe what happens to you during seizures large and small.
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Seizures?
- By jerseagal
- Posted August 2, 2008 at 7:43 am · 21 replies
- In Life after encephalitis
- Shared with the public
- Edited September 10, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Explore topics in this discussion:
Measles Asperger's syndrome Chronic pain Meningitis Stroke Seizures Anxiety Pain Weakness Epilepsy Status epilepticus Encephalitis Stress
21 replies
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- By MichelleN
- Posted August 2, 2008 at 8:10 am
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I don't know when I have seizures except that if I'm in a conversation I can't tell what's been going on while I have one. My cat can tell me and some people notice, but only the ones that have known me for a long time. That's probably part of why people think I'm not paying attention. Sometimes my face gets a little red from what I've been told. That is a sign of other things as well so that isn't always a good way of knowing.
I tend to think of mine as like when I reboot the computer because mine don't last long. Those that I've had that we're really bad wasn't a problem if I was sitting especially when my cat tells me in advance to sit.
The one I know I had while walking I ended up on the floor not being able to know why I was laying on my tea cup. What I didn't understand is that I thought I remembered seeing the wall as I fell, but that was in a stressful area so it isn't impossible that I had one.
I don't know if this will help, but this is how they are for me.
Michelle
- By rosey
- Posted August 2, 2008 at 11:32 am
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I don't recall having a seizure since I was 7, but my neighbour told me when she is having a seizure to keep talking to her and she won't go into it. I never heard tell of that until she told me that. I thought you were supposed to put a pillow under the person's head and put something in their mouth. At least that is what they demonstrated on television.
- By MichelleN
- Posted August 2, 2008 at 4:33 pm
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From what I've been told Rosey is depends on the kind. Mine are the kind that I shouldn't need that so I was told just to tell people to ignore them if they even notice.
Part of the problem with seizures is that people only know that there is the grand mal ones and those I think you do need to put something in their mouths and the pillow, but like everyone here says, "I'm not a doctor."
Michelle
- By rosey
- Posted August 2, 2008 at 4:46 pm
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She has temporal lope epilespy. She told me that there are over 120 different kinds of epilespy.
- By Joey_sMom
- Posted August 3, 2008 at 7:58 am
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A good doctor would only say the instances you describe are seizures if he had evidence that supported that diagnosis. In your case, I imagine a good doctor would suspect they are not seizures since you reportedly think things through during those times, but he/she would want to check into them to be on the safe side. BTW, there are some wonderfully informative web sites regarding seizures/epilepsy that can be found using any search engine.
Rosey - I'm not a doctor or a nurse, but I have over 25 years of experience with neurology patients. The old school of thought said to place an object in the mouth of a person who is seizing. Modern day practice says to avoid placing objects in the mouth of a person experiencing a seizure. A pillow, while still used, is purely to cushion the head preventing further injury and for comfort during the post ictal phase (which is the time that follows the seizure). They also say you should try to place the person on their side and loosen tight clothing (such as neck ties on men) during this time.
- By missmariann3
- Posted January 25, 2009 at 1:44 pm
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i have the whole batch except gran mal. even occipital lobe seizures.
Mariann
- By DVirginia
- Posted January 25, 2009 at 7:58 pm
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Ethan had partial complex seizures and it was obvious when it was happening. He got really pale and got completely still. He didn't collapse or get stiff, he just got really still. When you called his name he wouldn't respond. Or, he would respond verbally, but not be able to look you in the eye. He always seemed disoriented afterwards and very, very sleepy.
We haven't seen an obvious seizure in about a year, but he does get that blank, staring look sometimes (in fact, he did it during the neuropsych testing) and we can't tell for sure what is happening. We think he's just getting overloaded and his brain "shuts down" for a moment. It's like someone hit the pause button.
- By MichelleN
- Posted January 25, 2009 at 10:08 pm
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DVirginia, I have similar seizures, but I have to be told from other people I have them I just lose the converstation or whatever I'm doing.
I try to keep logged in when it's even possible that I'm having or had one, but that doesn't always work when I'm alone.
Michelle
- By jerseagal
- Posted January 26, 2009 at 7:51 am
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How does medical Science define "seizure" It is a term that is always thrown around quiet loosely.
What do we know about them as an E community? Could there be helpful protective seizures? Sort of like a GFI switch in an electrical system?
- By DVirginia
- Posted January 26, 2009 at 9:08 am
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There's a great video that illustrates what happens during a seizures on an epilepsy website. Let me see if I can dig it up...hmmm, can't find it quickly, but the website is www.epilepsy.com. They have a ton of information on the various types of seizures, what triggers them, how to treat them, etc. They also have info on sleep disorders, mood disorders, and behavioral issues that often go hand in hand with epilepsy.
Boy, everytime I visit one of these pages that I haven't visited in awhile (I haven't looked at the epilepsy one in awhile because my son hasn't had seizures lately), I am stunned by how all of these brain disorders overlap. I forgot that they the site had so much great info on mood and behavioral stuff (which we are dealing with). It's really amazing.
- By jerseagal
- Posted January 26, 2009 at 10:09 am
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So if I understand it correctly, Seizures can be defined as any unexplained distubance in the normal brain fuction from any cause? Seems like a very casual catch phrase.
With new technology, emergency life support systems, advanced rehab therapy and lifting social stigma, personal breakthroughs are happening every day.
What is really amazing is that medical science is actually admitting it has been often been wrong in the past.
Science must be held to acknowledge individuality, the positive exceptions not just empirical group study.
- By Linda42
- Posted January 26, 2009 at 10:54 am
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I had measles encephalitis when I was 7 years old, with seizures as an aftereffect for several years after that. I had a lesion on the right side of my brain that caused seizures affecting the left side of my face. During my seizures, the left side of my face would jerk and twitch, and I was only vaguely aware of what was happening. I had an "aura" right before each seizure - a strange, buzzing, tingling feeling in my head.
Linda
- By MichelleN
- Posted January 26, 2009 at 1:52 pm
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Linda I don't just have the seizures in my face I don't think, but I've never asked anyone that. I do have signs that I might be having them more than my cat. I get the feeling like there are sparks in my neck on the right side usually. I didn't know that had anything to do with seizures for a really long time, but when people are around they try to let me know I've probably had one and after awhile we figured that out.
Michelle
- By popcorn
- Posted January 27, 2009 at 5:21 pm
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Hi all,
I'm new on this site so hello and this is a tiny bit of my experience of seizures.....
I had viral encephalitis in 1985 and the first obvious symptom was a seizure, this was followed with multiple seizures after a weeks gap and then hospitalization. To cut a long story short - as they say - after recovery from the E, I was put on anti-convulsant medication and have mostly been seizure free. I think I have had most of the different types of seizures. The sort where the person is still concious are known as partial seizures, and can be complex partial or simple partial.
Sensations (auras) before a seizure can be various and can involve any of the senses.
This is a very good web site for lots of info about seizures and epilepsy.
http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/
Happy New Year everyone, Popcorn
- By LadyJaneG
- Posted August 30, 2009 at 9:57 am
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I had my first grand mal seizure when I was 30 yrs old. I am now almost 50. At the age of 30, the seizure happened in my sleep, after all the tests, etc, it was determined, I had scar tissure on my brain from Encephalitis when I was only 5 years old. So, that's how long it took for anything major to occurr after the Encephalitis! I thought I was fine! I have only had 2 Grand Mals, now I have mostly Partial Complex and on 2 different meds which I hate the side effects, but I have to stay on for the rest of my life I'm told. My anxiety level is becoming quite high...I feel it is starting to interfere with my day to day life. This website has become such a wonderful outlet for me to be able to get out my feelings. And to read about others who are experiencing similar problems. Its not always just medical doctors that can help. Its just others that "care".
- By WendyStation
- Posted August 30, 2009 at 12:23 pm
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I agree, LadyJaneG...when I had encephalitis (1999) I joined Ingrid's Encephgroup. It was an excellent resource of online information and support. It's helpful to be able to ask questions and get answers!
- By jaysgirl
- Posted September 8, 2009 at 2:47 pm
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My boyfriend initially called the ambulance cuz my left eyeball was rolling around and my hands were flapping I don't remember anything I told him I was fine not to call he thought I was having a stroke or something I had a sick stomach for 3 days prior and had gone to gp and he gave me meds for that. boyfriend thought I was having a side effect from that. He said you need help there is something wrong I was saying no I dont. Anyway I went by ambulance. He told them what had happened they wanted an MRI done. I had swelling on my brain they did a spinal came back with protien in fluid said I had HSE and viral meningitis
The rest of the time I think I was in and out of contiousness. I remember some things but not everything. Doctors say I had a mild siezure. Now I'm on antisiezure meds. I am feeling alot better now.
- By jerseagal
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 7:19 pm
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Dannon,
Please lay off this was a year old post you silly! LOL Most of us have learned alot in that year
Love ya
Jersea
- By dannon
- Posted September 10, 2009 at 7:30 pm
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You are correct
Its as inappropriate as the reason for which I posted it -- the reason that makes one not want to post here...
I apologize and i'll remove the statement.
-dannon
- By scaredmum
- Posted September 11, 2009 at 8:40 am
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Who cares if it was last years post. I am finding this all very helpful. It does not matter to me if the information is last years or yesterdays. I come here looking for some support and understanding. My daughter had seizures during her E and we have been thrown into unknown territory. We need to read and learn from others so please, please do not remove this post dannon. Some people may not find it interesting or helpful but I am sure there are many who still do.
Keep up the posts everyone..... we are all here to help each other.
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