Expert: beth - 10/29/2009

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? thanks

Answer
Hello,

About 1 in 10 people will have a seizure at some point in their life from a variety of causes. Sometimes the cause is completely unknown.  You do not say how old you are which is sometimes a factor in it.  If you do not have another seizure within the next year, your chance of having another is approximately 30-40 percent.  If you have a second, it's closer to 60-70% chance of developing epilepsy.  Two or more unprovoked seizures is by definition epilepsy.  If all of your tests are normal and remain normal it's a very positive sign that this was just a single occurence.  Best wishes for good health.