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About Sophia, R.N., M.S.
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.
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You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Parenting Special Needs > Epilepsy > Seizure Recurrence
Epilepsy - Seizure Recurrence
Expert: Sophia, R.N., M.S. - 10/29/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hi, when you first have an unprovoked seizure what are the chances of a recurrence? That being a person with no brain trauma, no epilepsy family history, normal EEG blood tests and CT scan. I was told that if you do not have another one in 6 months to a year you are prabably never going to have another one. Is that accurate?
ANSWER: Dear Daniel,
You asked what the chance is of suffering another seizure if you have experienced one seizure.
The only way that we can answer that, is if we know what provoked the first one. Every one of us has a seizure threshold. If you have a low threshold, it will take less to provoke a seizure than if you had a high threshold. An individual with a low seizure threshold may experience a seizure from just some slight factors such as sleep deprivation, excessive alcohol, or some emotional stress. Someone with a high threshold, may never have a seizure despite numerous provoking factors.
Daniel, did you have an MRI of the brain done? This is a benign test which is very valuable. It will show any structural problems, such as scaring, structural abnormalities or tumors.
It would be interesting to know what conditions proceeded your first seizure and what the first seizure was described as.
Good luck to you Daniel. Write if you have further questions.
Regards,
Sophia
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi, thanks for the fast reply! I didin't have a seizure, it was a friend of mine. She had a cat scan done. Is it very different from an MRI? It's been like 17 months (LONG time right?)since she had a seizure. She is just been suffering from anxiety now.. She thinks everything is going to trigger a seizure. I think it's because there was no sign before the seizure, it just happened! She avoids driving. She is scared! I'm just looking for some info to try to help her. Doctors didn't find out why she had a seizure.
thanks
Answer
Hi Daniel,
Yes - an MRI is different from a C-T scan and it is important that she have one done. Seizures come from so many causes. If her MRI is perfectly normal and her EEG is perfectly normal, chances are that she will not have another one. She should avoid sleep deprivation, alcohol, stress (how does one do that????) and recreational drugs. If she does experience another seizure, a 24 hour EEG which runs for 24 hours/day for a few days will provide more info and can be done at home with a portable unit. If she does not have another seizure and is still anxious, ask her to have the 24 hour EEG study soon to get the most information about her brain wave functioning. If the MRI is normal and the 24 hour EEG is as well, she can probably relax.
Good luck to her.
Regards,
Sophia
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