|
Seizure History
The onset of unexplained seizures-in my right
foot and right hand-is what led to the diagnosis of my brain tumor so it
didn't come as a big surprise that my tumor was very close to my motor strip.
I've been having seizures regularly since November 2001--a couple of months
after my surgery. In that time, the seizures haven't varied much in their
frequency, intensity, duration, or location. My signature seizure starts with
my right foot feeling numb--like it just instantly fell asleep--for 30 to 60
seconds. Once that sensation goes away, there's a brief pause in the action
for 30 to 60 seconds and then the fingers on my right hand start twitching and
tap dancing for another 30 to 60 seconds. The entire time the seizure is
occurring, I'm able to speak coherently and answer simple questions correctly.
There are rare occasions when only one limb is involved or when the hand
starts first.
August 2001
08-19-01
|
Presented with Seizures
|
08-23-01
|
Vector Vision Guided Craniotomy
|
08-26-01
|
Discharged from Hospital
|
08-26-01
|
Dilantin 200mg bid
|
September 2001
09-13-01
|
First post-op MRI
|
October 2001
10-03-01
|
Slight numbness in right leg below the knee
|
10-05-01
|
Slight numbness in right leg below the knee
|
10-08-01
|
Tiny amount of shaking in right hand
|
10-09-01
|
Tiny amount of shaking in right hand
|
10-11-01
|
Second post-op MRI
|
10-13-01
|
Tiny amount of shaking in right hand
|
10-27-01
|
Numbness in my right foot extending up to the knee
|
November 2001
11-19-01
|
Dilantin Level is 12.9
|
11-25-01
|
Signature Seizure
|
December 2001
12-11-01
|
Dilantin 250mg morning, 200mg evening
|
12-12-01
|
Signature Seizure
|
12-18-01
|
Dilantin Level is 13.3
|
January 2002
01-01-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
01-02-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
01-03-02
|
Dilantin 250 mg bid
|
01-05-02
|
EEG Test Showed No Seizure Activity
|
01-10-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
01-11-02
|
Dilantin Level is 17.6
|
01-20-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
01-31-02
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
February 2002
02-01-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
02-04-02
|
Third (six months) post-op MRI
|
02-11-02
|
Depakote 250mg tid
|
02-11-02
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
02-12-02
|
Dilantin 200mg bid
|
02-16-02
|
Depakote 500mg bid
|
02-20-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
02-21-02
|
Depakote Level is 33; Depakote 750mg bid
|
02-25-02
|
Dilantin 200mg in the morning, 100mg in the evening
|
March 2002
03-04-02
|
Depakote Level is 54
|
03-06-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
03-11-02
|
Dilantin 100mg bid
|
03-25-02
|
Dilantin 100mg in the morning
|
03-25-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
April 2002
04-02-02
|
Depakote 1000mg bid
|
04-03-02
|
Two Signature Seizures
|
04-04-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
04-08-02
|
No Longer taking Dilantin
|
04-17-02
|
Depakote Level is 75
|
04-29-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
May 2002
05-17-02
|
Three Signature Seizures
|
05-19-02
|
Three Signature Seizures
|
05-20-02
|
Fourth (nine month) post-op MRI
|
05-31-02
|
Depakote 1250mg bid
|
June 2002
06-02-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
06-03-02
|
Depakote Level is 144 (High)
|
06-03-02
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
06-19-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
06-26-02
|
Six Mini-Signature Seizures
|
July 2002
07-12-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
07-16-02
|
Depakote 1250mg in the morning, 1000mg in the evening
|
07-17-02
|
Topamax 25mg bid
|
07-22-02
|
Topamax 50mg bid
|
07-25-02
|
Depakote 1000mg bid; Topamax 75mg bid
|
07-25-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
August 2002
08-02-02
|
Depakote 1000mg bid; Topamax 100mg bid
|
08-05-02
|
One year post-op MRI
|
08-05-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
08-19-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
08-28-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
September 2002
09-22-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
09-24-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
09-29-02
|
Depakote 1125mg bid; Topamax 100mg bid
|
October 2002
10-09-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
10-23-02
|
Depakote 1000mg bid; Topamax 100mg bid; Lamictal 25mg qad
|
10-23-02
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
10-30-02
|
Mini-Signature Seizure (Very, Very Short Duration)
|
November 2002
11-06-02
|
Depakote 1000mg bid; Topamax 100mg bid; Lamictal 25mg qd
|
11-08-02
|
Signature Seizure; 60-90 second duration; low intensity
|
11-11-02
|
First Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
11-15-02
|
Signature Seizure; midday
|
11-15-02
|
Reverse Signature Seizure; evening
|
11-16-02
|
Rapid eye blinking for ~5 seconds (probable seizure)
|
11-18-02
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
11-27-02
|
Mini-Signature Seizure
|
December 2002
12-03-02
|
Sixteen month MRI
|
12-07-02
|
Signature Seizure; evening
|
12-12-02
|
Signature Seizure; (minimal right hand activity)
|
12-14-02
|
Depakote 1000mg bid; Topamax 100mg bid; Lamictal 25mg qd; Paxil; 10mg qd
|
12-16-02
|
Signature Seizure; midday
|
12-19-02
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
12-22-02
|
Depakote 1000mg bid; Topamax 100mg bid; Lamictal 25mg bid; Paxil; 10mg qd
|
12-25-02
|
Signature Seizure
|
12-25-02
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
12-25-02
|
Mild Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
12-27-02
|
Two Mild Signature Seizures (Right Hand Only)
|
Note: Henceforth, every time a medication is changed my entire list of meds will
not be reiterated. Only the changing medication will be listed.
January 2003
01-05-03
|
Lamictal 50mg morning; 25mg evening
|
01-10-03
|
Mild Signature Seizure
|
01-12-03
|
Celebrex 200mg bid
|
01-16-03
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
01-19-03
|
Lamictal 50mg bid
|
01-19-03
|
Mini-Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only, Very Short Duration)
|
01-23-03
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
01-25-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only)
|
01-25-03
|
Celebrex stopped as a precaution due to rash
|
01-30-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only)
|
01-30-03
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
February 2003
02-04-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
02-12-03
|
Eighteen month MRI
|
02-13-03
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
02-15-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
02-18-03
|
Forgot to take morning medication
|
02-20-03
|
Rash determined to be severe dry skin
|
02-23-03
|
Celebrex 200mg bid
|
02-24-03
|
PET Scan of Brain and Chest
|
02-24-03
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
March 2003
03-01-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only)
|
03-02-03
|
Calcium Citrate w/Vitamin D 750mg bid
|
03-04-03
|
Five Signature Seizures (Right Hand Only - Short Duration, High Intensity)
|
03-05-03
|
Celebrex stopped as a precaution due to consistent diarrhea
|
03-06-03
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
03-12-03
|
Depakote 500mg tid
|
03-27-03
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
April 2003
04-10-03
|
Acupuncture Appointment with Bridget
|
04-17-03
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
04-20-03
|
Missed Morning Medication
|
04-20-03
|
Depakote 500mg bid; Lamictal 100mg morn., 50mg even.; Celebrex 200mg bid
|
04-28-03
|
Reverse Signature Seizure (Had some trouble talking)
|
May 2003
05-08-03
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
05-08-03
|
Two Short Duration Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
05-08-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
05-16-03
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
05-20-03
|
Lamictal 100mg bid
|
05-23-03
|
Missed Evening Medication
|
05-23-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only - Evening)
|
05-24-03
|
Three Low Intensity, Short Duration Signature Seizures (Right Hand Only)
|
June 2003
06-02-03
|
First Acupuncture Appointment with Dr. Fang
|
06-02-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only)
|
06-03-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only - Evening)
|
06-10-03
|
Another Stable MRI
|
06-15-03
|
Signature Seizure
|
06-15-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
06-20-03
|
Felt very dizzy and light-headed, almost as if I was about to faint
|
06-20-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
06-25-03
|
Reverse Signature Seizure
|
06-28-03
|
Left for Outer Banks Vacation
|
06-28-03
|
Missed Evening Medication
|
July 2003
07-01-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
07-01-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only)
|
07-02-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only - Very Short Duration & Low Intensity)
|
07-04-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only - Very Short Duration & Low Intensity)
|
07-05-03
|
Returned from Outer Banks Vacation (Note: Did not sleep well the entire week)
|
07-08-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only)
|
07-13-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only)
|
07-13-03
|
Two Signature Seizures (Right Foot Only - Very Short Duration & Low Intensity)
|
07-30-03
|
Moving Day! (Note: The previous four to six weeks were spent packing boxes)
|
07-30-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Foot Only - More Intense Than Usual, Trouble Talking)
|
07-31-03
|
Signature Seizure (Right Hand Only - Minor Finger Twitching)
|
August 2003
08-04-03
|
Missed Evening Medication
|
08-05-03
|
Missed Evening Medication
|
08-14-03
|
Signature Seizure; very intense; unable to talk but could understand what my wife was saying;
finger tapping was harder than usual; foot numbness also involved some slight twitching; note
that the previous two weeks were spent unpacking boxes
|
| 08-21-03 |
Signature
Seizure; less intense than the last one; no twitching of my foot this time;
some "slight"
inability to talk; could form words and respond to simple questions |
| 08-29-03 |
Reverse
Signature Seizure (Some difficulty talking) |
| 08-31-03 |
Depakote
250mg bid |
September 2003
09-03-03
|
Right Hand Only
|
09-05-03
|
Right Hand Only – Very short, very low intensity, able to speak fluidly
|
09-07-03
|
Right Hand Only – Very short, very low intensity, able to speak fluidly
|
09-08-03
|
Right Hand Only – Very short, very low intensity, able to speak fluidly
|
09-09-03
|
Right Hand Only – Very short, very low intensity, able to speak fluidly
|
09-15-03
|
Stop Depakote; Lamictal 150mg bid
|
09-17-03
|
Right Foot Only – Some light twitching about the ankle
|
09-19-03
|
Right Foot Only – Foot more numb than usual, more ankle twitching
|
09-21-03
|
Ears felt clogged and started ringing; went away four days later (sinuses?)
|
09-28-03
|
Lamictal 200mg bid
|
October 2003
10-03-03
|
Very intense numbness below the right knee;
Then, some less intense finger twitching in the right hand
|
10-20-03
|
Numbness below the right knee; then finger twitches in the right hand (at work)
|
10-28-03
|
Lamictal 250mg bid (I was supposed to only go up to 225mg bid for a week first)
|
10-28-03
|
Bedtime seizure soon after the light was turned off, ~11pm, which I believe is a first;
Numbness below the right knee; then finger twitches in the right hand
|
**** Note: At this point, a redefinition of my “Signature Seizure” has become necessary. A typical seizure
involves the tapping of the fingers of my right hand for 30 seconds, the latter half of which is
occasionally accompanied by an inability to talk with the very rare “wiggling” of my
lips; this is usually followed by 30 seconds of numbness in my right foot. One
can assume the wiggling of my lips did not happen if it is not specifically mentioned. It’s still possible for the numbness in the foot to occur before the tapping of the fingers. I will no longer be referring to these types of seizures as “Reverse Signature Seizures.” ****
November 2003
11-09-03
|
Bedtime seizure; numbness below the right knee; then right hand finger twitches
|
11-10-03
|
Emily Hope is born; 7lbs 4oz; 19” long – God is Good
|
11-30-03
|
Right hand finger twitches; the mouth wiggles; some difficulty talking
|
11-30-03
|
Right hand finger twitches; the mouth wiggles; some difficulty talking
|
December 2003
12-25-03
|
Signature Seizure
|
12-25-03
|
Forgot PM medication
|
January 2004
01-02-04
|
Signature Seizure
|
01-17-04
|
Signature Seizure
|
|
01-26-04
|
Mild Signature Seizure
|
|
01-26-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure
|
|
01-26-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure
|
|
01-28-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure
|
February 2004
02-05-04
|
Signature Seizure
|
02-12-04
|
Signature Seizure
|
March 2004
03-03-04
|
Signature Seizure;
able to talk
|
03-11-04
|
Signature Seizure; morning
|
03-11-04
|
Major
Signature Seizure; early afternoon at work; this was without a doubt the worst seizure since learning of my brain tumor; my fingers started twitching then my voice shutdown; next my lips started to
wiggle - so far, nothing I haven’t experienced before; then the lip wiggles started to get a little more pronounced and my jaw started jerking a little to the side; next, I don’t know, I think it must have been a combination of my jaw jerking more violently side-to-side and perhaps my neck muscles twitching a bit because its feels like I pulled one my neck muscles slightly; the entire time my head was twitching I had the feeling the seizure was going to become generalized; I thought it was never going to end; it felt like a jolt of electricity was sparking in the center of my brain and spreading to the outer recesses of my skull.
|
|
03-12-04
|
Keppra
500mg bid; Lamictal 200mg bid
|
|
03-16-04
|
Forgot
PM medication
|
|
03-21-04
|
Keppra
1000mg bid
|
|
03-27-04
|
Forgot
PM medication
|
|
03-28-04
|
Lamictal
150mg bid
|
April 2004
04-06-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure; bedtime; able to talk; it’s probably worth noting just before this seizure took place I had diarrhea the previous 6-8 hours
|
04-11-04
|
Mild Signature Seizure; able to talk
|
|
04-11-04
|
Lamictal 100mg bid
|
|
04-12-04
|
Signature Seizure; able to talk; right foot more numb than usual
|
|
04-20-04
|
Forgot
PM medication
|
|
04-21-04
|
Major
Signature Seizure; bedtime; while not as severe as the seizure noted on March 11, 2004, this still ranks #2 on my all-time worst seizure list. The seizure didn’t include any of the lip wiggles or head jerking of the March 11, seizure but I did spend “lots of time” unable to communicate with the “outside” world but able to understand what was going on around me. I had the same feeling (fear) the seizure was going to become generalized and that it was never going to end.
|
|
04-23-04
|
Keppra
1500mg bid
|
May 2004
05-17-04
|
Slightly more intense than usual Signature Seizure
|
05-25-04
|
Slightly more intense than usual Signature Seizure
|
|
05-29-04
|
Signature Seizure; able to talk
|
June 2004
06-03-04
|
Stopped
Tequin
|
06-03-04
|
Forgot PM Medication
|
|
06-04-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure; morning; able to talk
|
|
06-04-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure; early afternoon; some difficult talking
|
|
06-05-04
|
At
least half-a-dozen mild hand tremors throughout the day
|
|
06-08-04
|
Lamictal
150mg bid
|
|
06-12-04
|
Two
minor hand tremors
|
|
06-13-04
|
Prednisone 20mg bid for asthma flare-up
|
|
06-14-04
|
Last dose of Prednisone is in the evening
|
|
06-15-04
|
Lamictal 200mg bid
|
|
06-18-04
|
Over the past couple of days I've noticed several "strange" issues related to my fingertips and toes; my fingertips on both hands have been extremely raw as if I'd been doing
yard work for an entire day without any gloves on and the toes on my right foot have been red at the tips and very sore as if my shoe had suddenly gotten smaller; since I don't believe in coincidences so I'm assuming this had something to do with my recent increase of Lamictal therefore I'm lowering my dosage back down
|
|
06-18-04
|
Lamictal 150mg bid
|
|
06-21-04
|
"Side effects" noted on 06-18-04 have gone away
|
|
06-23-04
|
Forgot PM medication
|
July 2004
07-04-04
|
Signature
Seizure
|
07-13-04
|
Signature Seizure; able to talk
|
|
07-13-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure; able to talk
|
|
07-20-04
|
Mild
Signature Seizure; some difficulty talking
|
August 2004
08-07-04
|
Signature Seizure;
some difficulty talking
|
08-08-04
|
Lamictal
100mg bid; Topamax 125mg bid
|
08-15-04
|
Topamax
150mg bid
|
08-16-04
|
Six
Mild Signature Seizures; two w/minor difficulty talking; four able to talk;
two were hand tremors
|
|
08-22-04
|
Lamictal
50mg bid; Topamax 175mg bid
|
|
08-25-04
|
Topamax
200mg bid
|
September 2004
09-05-04
|
Lamictal
25mg bid
|
|
09-19-04
|
Stop
Lamictal
|
|