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SEIZURES with IRREGULAR SPIKES in EEG, FUSED C5-C6.

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I am 62 yrs old. I had a seizure as a baby after being treated with incorrect medication dispensed for mouth sores. As a precaution I was given anti seizure medication for a few years.At about 20 yrs I did not feel well,had headaches and a feeling of my head being squeezed and dizziness. An EEG was done and irregular spikes were found but Neurologist said he did not want to treat me in the absence of seizures. Same happened about 15 yrs later with same prognosis. I have since had loss of control of my legs and I then had a C6/5 fusion and went back to work after 10 days and needed to be medicated with beta blockers and an anti seizure medication to relax the nerves to heal.i made an error whilst tajking these and had a major spike in blood pressure.Was taken off and have been fine.Then 3yrs ago my neck played up and MRI and EEG was done.I had the same irregular EEG.I had to have a double disc replace from C3 downwards.I had also shown a small stroke spot in the rear back lobe. No physical knowledge of the occurrence.Again put onto Lamictim and had very bad reaction like anxiety etc. New neurologist was consulted and he took me off.I have been fine for 18 months. Went back for a routine EEG and the patterns were more pronounced with activity for about 2 sec spikes.He wants me to take low doses of phenytoin . These are pretty dangorous things.My question is why do I need to take anticonvulsant medication if I have not had a seizure in 60 yrs. is it possible to live a seizure free life if I have an EEG that is not normal when it is the lights and rapid breathing that triggers the EEG result.I know that I am sensitive and have avoided these situations.Am I in any danger if I have not had a seizure,am very sensitive to these meds and I therefore remain as I am without taking anti seizure medication.

Category: Neurologist, Medical

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Category: Pediatric Neurologist
 24 Doctors Online

Hello,
Thank you for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have noted your detailed history, EEG reports and medications tried so far.
I fully agree with you that there is no need to take anti-seizure medications in the absence of seizures.
It is known that about 5% people can have abnormal EEGs and they never go on to have actual seizures. There is no need to treat them with long duration anti-seizure medications.
The main reason for not treating this group of people is the risk of side effects caused by anti-epileptic drugs, and some of them are quite serious.
So, in your case, I would not start anti-seizure medications, however, I would advise you to take all the precautions, such as ensuring adequate sleep, eating food on time, avoiding stress, avoiding exposure to TV/strong visual stimuli/hyperventilation, etc.
I hope it helps.
Feel free to discuss further,
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist


Patient replied :

Thank you very much for the information,very valuable second opinion and confirmation of my concerns. I must apologise for some of my grammatical errors as I was working on a device that I could not easily read what I had written and only now see it on my desktop.
I will have the MRI that my Neurosurgeon has asked for due to the previous stroke and the recent fall and motor accident that occurred where I was rear ended and got whiplash and have headaches. Need to ensure that my fusion and disc replacements have not been compromised.I will also sit down with my Neurologist and discuss my concerns without telling him about my second opinion as there may be some professional sensitivity.
Once again, thank you and I will close out this query.
Kind regards, Lyn



Dr. Sudhir Kumar
Category: Pediatric Neurologist
Experience: 
Senior Residency, Fellowship: DM, Neurology, CMC, Vellore, 2001
Junior Residency: MD, Internal Medicine, CMC, Vellore, 1998
Medical School: MBBS, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 1995
Dr. Sudhir Kumar and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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