can cardiac arrest cause epilepsy?

• By martzj
• Posted July 4, 2009 at 12:28 pm
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hi there,

My heart goes out to you with the epilepsy rearing its head. This isn't easy to grapple with. I think you know in your heart you can no longer drive if episodes are causing you to collapse in any way luv. Wish with all my heart it could be different for you. You need to be honest with the dr to get access to drug therapies that may keep it very much under control. No need to consider this a job ender until you and your doctor have a clearer picture of your status and physical impact on your life. I hope you will swallow that fear and move through the steps you need to take to figure out exactly what is happening and what your options are.

Don't know how things work medically in the UK. In the US, a doctor is not allowed to automatically reveal your health status to your employer. In fact, employers are barred from even inquiring. One may discuss this or not with your boss. Most people do meet with employers once a major condition erupts so some sort of work scheduling can be negotiated.

Are you a single mom? That is major stress for sure. I was single, when the 'health bombs' made life to constantly survival mode for me to dredge up the energy for a relationship. It was very difficult, but I was able to work 10 years beyond heart attacks w heart damage. Migraines w aura/light/sound sensitivity/nausea (a type of seizure that engages the trigeminal nerve ganglion and keeps it pumping searing pain neurochemicals that inflame the brain lining for days on end) were an almost chronic part of my life in the 5 years before the worst heart attack. AFTER the massive HA, 2 stents, all those beta blockers, blood thinners, Zocor....no more of those horrific migrain-seizure things. And thruthfully, I don't hesitate when asked "If you had the choice between disabling heart attacks or living w those horrible migraines which would you choose?" My reply is always, "I was living with BOTH, docs just didn't understand the heart attacks and let them keep happening. I take life w damaged heart every time over unbelievable, relentless torture of brain inflammation". Topomax in tiny amounts was a miracle drug for my migraine pain....the electrical storms wreaked havoc mostly unabated, but the trigeminal nerve was blocked from engaging!!! : )

I continued to work through all of the above. Try not to give in to the fear yet....not until you have more conclusive test info/medication trials to see what best works for you. I hope what I've shared with you is helpful in some way. My personal experience was that YES, heart attack and brain storms were interrelated in some way. And medications + stenting helped with both!!

When feeling completely wrung out and desparate I find it deeply helpful to write out all my fears on paper....and then write out ideas, strategies and 'wishes' for what steps I may have a chance at using to turn frightfully tough things around. I never write out a 5 year plan or allow myself to seriously think about the future when I'm in the dregs of fear and depression.

I'll give myself a hour or 2 to let the fears and sadness have their time.....Then I say, "Ok, now starts worry free zone for the next 2 hours....keep flicking away intrusive fearful feelings because we are now on 'my time'. (smile) Over time, this has helped me learn how to shift in and out, not get stuck in any one cluster of feelings for too long. All feelings are 'allowed', no feelings are 'wrong'....they just don't get to hijack my entire mental climate for the day : )

hugs, hugs and more hugs to you in the UK today,
Jaynie from USA

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• By TSL
• Posted July 7, 2009 at 3:22 pm
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About 15 years ago, I had 3 seizures in a 2 month period. I was tested, and found that I had a slight electrical imbalance over the left parietal lobe. I was put on dilantin (phenytoin=generic) and even though I haven't had any other episodes while on the meds, I still have to take them daily to allow me to drive. For me, it is a small price to pay to allow me to drive safely - both for me, and more importantly for the others I encounter on the road! I had a valve replaced 1 1/2 years ago, and the pheytoin has had no interactions with the rest of my heart meds. This could be just a small 'bump' in your road - please take a deep breath and find out what is going on and your treatment options before you give up.....Life can still be good even with multiple problems.

Good luck, and God bless!!!

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