Seizures

[Melody]

I have a TBI as a result of a serious car accident in 2005 after being hit at high speed by a drunk driver. I started experiencing seizures a few times a month, which have now increased to up to 4 - 6 times a day, lasting 10 minutes to one hour. The seizures include staring, unresponsiveness, inability to move physically. I am aware during the episode. I can hear and feel but not respond. I had one recently while in the neurologists office for 12 minutes, which he observed. During my recent EEG test I had a seizure that lasted for one hour throughout the test. The EEG results, however, do not show any abnormal brain activity. The neurologist said the EEG was normal. I am being treated with Keppra, which has reduced the seizures and their duration to 2/day lasting ~ 15 minutes each. I'm only taking the initial dose of 250 mg/day of Keppra, and won't be on full strength until a few weeks.

Has anyone else experienced seizures that cannot be measured? There is a reluctance to give a diagnosis, because of the EEG. Are any other explanations for these symptoms?

[laurie7777]

I was so happy to read your post. I thought I was the only one with these types of symptoms!!! I was in a car accident in Dec of 2007. I have had varying problems since then including back/neck pain, migranes, memory loss (especially short term).... and about 4 months ago, I started getting what I thought were muscle spasms in my left shoulder. The "spasms" which I called my "twitches" gradually increased from left shoulder to include all extremities and most recently during an EEG(two days ago), to include my torso and head tossing from side to side. They were not even able to finish the test because the wires were all coming lose. My Neurologistwas called into the room and told me to "stop it or we won't be able to finish the test" and that I'd have to "come back and repeat it". I had an appt for an EMG today and a follow-up with the neurologist afterward. The "twitches/siezures" happened during that test as well. Both times were witnessed by the neurologist as well as the persons performing the different tests (EEG and EMG) test. My neurologist said today, that she looked at the portion of the EEG from Monday and that it was normal. That they were not seizures because I do not have epilepsy. She told me it was my subconscious trying to tell me that I was depressed and that I needed to see a Psychiatrist. She refuses to call them seizures because I do not lose consciousness and that I am responsive during. What started as once every few weeks is now steadily increasing in duration (30 minutes to over six hours) and severity (left shoulder to whole body). I am awaiting a response from my family doc who has also witnessed an attack last week lasting more than 40 min just in his office. He was very angry with the neurologist's attitude and opinion of things. I will post again if I find out anything and would be interested in hearing about yours of anyone else's findings as well. Know that you aren't alone. Laurie

[Melody]

Just as a follow up to my initial post, my symptoms persist, and I am seeing a psychiatrist and a neurologist. I discontinued Keppra, as it wasn't working. I am taking clonazapam and celexa, although their effectiveness is questionable. Although I do not have cataplexy, my psychiatrist is considering treating me with cataplexy medication as the structures in the brain from the injury may be affected as if it was cataplexy. I'll know how this goes in 2009. So far, the medications that I have been taking do not work, and produce a lot of undesireable side effects, such as loss of sexuality.