Expertise Almost any questions pertaining to epilepsy, seizures, pseudo-seizures, testing for epilepsy, medications, surgery. Self-care, appropriate emergency measures, medication side-effects, drug interactions etc.
Experience Working as an epilepsy nurse clinican in a large comprehensive epilepsy center for 15 years. Previous employment with a major pharmaceutical company working in pharmaceutical research. Before that - varied experience in nursing.
Q: my question is a bit like an essay, I'm afraid, or a story. My background: I'm a 39 year old male. ... A: Your question is a bit confusing but I think I know what you are trying to ask so I will do my best ...
Q: A very close family member fell out of a moving car when she was young hitting her head, was ... A: Time, Haldol is most often used for psychosis and not depression. Amitriptylene is used for ...
Q: A very close family member fell out of a moving car when she was young hitting her head, was ... A: I cannot say for certain, but I believe from what you have related that the "blackouts" are partial ...
Q: when you first have an unprovoked seizure what are the chances of a recurrence? That being a person ... A: the primary distinction is that for any sort of body injury,your leg,arm and especially your spine a ...
Q: when you first have an unprovoked seizure what are the chances of a recurrence? That being a person ... A: Yes - an MRI is different from a C-T scan and it is important that she have one done. Seizures come ...
Q: when you first have an unprovoked seizure what are the chances of a recurrence? That being a person ... A: About 1 in 10 people will have a seizure at some point in their life from a variety of causes. ...
Q: when you first have an unprovoked seizure what are the chances of a recurrence? That being a person ... A: first off,i'm sorry to hear of the trouble your friend has had.in terms of likelihood you are ...
Q: when you first have an unprovoked seizure what are the chances of a recurrence? That being a person ... A: You asked what the chance is of suffering another seizure if you have experienced one seizure. The ...
Q: My daughter, age 30, has had seizures since age 9. They were under control for a while, but now she ... A: What a good Mom you are!!!!! Yes, there is a certain percentage of seizures that can be affected by ...
Q: I have a question about the levels of Carbatrol. I take 700 mg a day. I have my levels tested every ... A: Deb, Sometimes plasma levels of drugs are not consistent even with the same dose without any ...
Q: I have a question about the levels of Carbatrol. I take 700 mg a day. I have my levels tested every ... A: To answer your question, yes. This is fairly common with carbamazepine and some other antiepileptic ...
Q: I need help. I have had what I call dizzy spells since I was 8 I am now almost 28. When it happens ... A: You need a very good "work-up" for this condition by a neurologist. Before a diagnosis is made, you ...
Q: My mum's age is 55. she has sufferd from a brain infection (inflammation) last month. she never had ... A: First of all, I am not a doctor, I am a paramedic and person with epilepsy so I can only speak from ...
Q: Is it possible to get Tetany from a panic attack? The other day i had a panic attack and my hands ... A: I have never heard of muscle rigidity as a result of a panic attack, but I'm sure that its ...
Q: I have Grand-mal epilepsy, Ictal laughter and a pituitary tumor that has not grownin over 20 years. ... A: First I do not understand what you exactly are asking I'm sorry. However, if you are asking if ...
Q: I am 22 year old male and I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks. My hands get tingly ... A: First let me start off by saying I'm sorry this happened to you. I'm sure it was very frightening. ...
Q: Does epilepsy cause low white blood cell count? A: Epilepsy by itself does not cause low white blood cell counts, however it may be a side effect of ...
Q: I am an obgyn nurse so my knowlege of seizures/convulsions goes back 35 years to nursing scholl. My ... A: What a terrific Auntie you are to take such excellent care of your nephew!!!! I am so pleased. ...
Q: I passed out alot as a child, it was always hot-flash, closing in blackness, very 'loud' dream and ... A: first off,absolutely you need to see a dr. and specifically a neurologist. i actually do have ...
Q: after my first EEG my neaurologist said i had temporal lobe epilepsey .I was put on Carbamazipine,my ... A: I do not understand why your new neurologist would seek to change your diagnosis. Carbomazepine is ...
Q: A family member of mine has cerebral palsy and suffered neonatal seizures at 48 hours old and an ... A: Yes, blank stares certainly can be associated with seizure disorders. These may be caused by two ...
Q: I was recently diagnosed with partial seizures. I'm 55 years old and have experienced what the ... A: First of all let me start off by saying I can't give recommendations to individual medication ...
Q: My fiance is a 34 year old male. He has had 3 collapse with seizure activity in the past 6 months, ... A: I'm sorry you are experiencing this, I'm sure it can be quite frightening. First of all understand ...
Q: The EEG summary read: Abnormal EEG due to focal slow bursts involving the left frontotemporal region ... A: You really did not ask a question, but let's talk about what you have brought up. Stress IS a factor ...
Q: The EEG summary read: Abnormal EEG due to focal slow bursts involving the left frontotemporal region ... A: It is quite suspect that the head injury in 1989 has caused a small scarring from where the seizures ...
Q: The EEG summary read: Abnormal EEG due to focal slow bursts involving the left frontotemporal region ... A: Your EEG shows an abnormality, probably a scar or some sort of a lesion, which started the abnormal ...
Q: My 12 year old son recently had an EEG which showed: "over the frontal poles, irregular 3-4 and ... A: Unfortunately, most of the symptoms that you describe can be associated with partial seizures. ...
Q: I have had epilepsy for several years but recently had significant changes in my EEG following an ... A: Amanda, I am so sorry that your seizures have recently increased. You asked about the reasons for ...
Q: I have had epilepsy for several years but recently had significant changes in my EEG following an ... A: Seizure focus is where a seizure starts, and this is different from seizure activity spreading to ...
Q: A convulsion is an involuntary muscle contraction. A seizure is abnormal electric activity in the ... A: As I stated in my previous answer there are issues such as certain types of migraine (ie basilar ...
Q: A convulsion is an involuntary muscle contraction. A seizure is abnormal electric activity in the ... A: Seizure produce convulsions - the convulsion is the symptom of the seizure which is why both are ...
Q: My 50 year old son has had 5 seizures in the last 24 hours. Never had them before and no family ... A: Don, If during a seizure an individual is hooked up to an EEG and shows no abnormal brain activity, ...
Q: My 50 year old son has had 5 seizures in the last 24 hours. Never had them before and no family ... A: How distressing for a parent, no matter how old our children are!!! Questions for you - Has your ...
Q: I have has epilepsy for almost 12 years. I have been on so many medications and most didn't work. I ... A: Yes, there are many other medications that do not cause weight gain. Depakote does cause the most ...
Q: I am 17years old and when I was 12 I had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy after 2 years of ... A: I'm sorry to hear you had a breakthrough seizure. There are a couple things to consider. One did ...
Q: I am a bit panicked! I have never had siezures in my life, but I have recently started seeing ... A: First of all I don't think you're crazy, so don't worry about that. Second, there is a type of ...
Q: i passed out on monday hit my head and went to the emergency room. they kept me over night and did ... A: Did your tests all come out normal?????? If they did, then there is still no evidence that you do ...
Q: I am currently studying to be a pilot and have just had my pilots medical refused on the grounds ... A: Sometimes a viral infection with elevated body temperature can lower the seizure threshold. ...
Q: I am currently studying to be a pilot and have just had my pilots medical refused on the grounds ... A: What a dilemma for you and for the physicians. Let's review what you have said. You have had two ...
Q: Does anybody have any ideas for me? I have had nocturnal seizures for several years now. i am ... A: don't complain too much alot of us out here are much worse than that.i know i must have 60 or 70 a ...
