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Are Panic Attacks And Nocturnal Seizure Related To Epilepsy?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Dec 2013
Question: I had first full epilliptic attack in 1988 when I was 11 years.I became unconscious and froth came out of my mouth.I was diagnosed as having PCS with or without secondary generalization.I was given various sort of medication.I never became unconscious again.All my MRIs,CT scans and EEGs came normal.In 2004 I went to Apollo Chennai where they gave me lamitor and it was tappered off and medicine was stopped in 2007. In 2004 my mother was diagnosed with heart problem.I started worrying about her.In 2005,my heart rate was around 110-120.I went to Apolloo where they tested me with Echocardiogram.After the test they advised me from taking mental stress. In February 2006,I had my first panic attack.In July 2006,I had my second panic attack.I saw a psycologist.He put me on Paroxetine 25 mg.But it did not help.I myself started controlling the attack using meditation,ayurvedic medicine. In October 2008,I was travelling from Guwahati to Silchar.At night I fell from my seat and was unconscious for 15 minutes.Next day I had a CT scan done.Everything came out normal.Again in February 2010,I became unconscious while sleeping.I had bit my tongue .Again all my CT scan and EEG report came normal.But I was diagonized as having Nocturnal seizure.I am put on Sodium Valporate CR-300 mg twice daily. Till date,I have not yet suffered any more Nocturnal seizure,though I am not completely sure about it.At present I think that I can again get this epillipesy.That is why I sometimes get anxiety attack . I can control these attack.I am afraid of diseases.I found out that thought of having epilepsy is acting as trigger of my panic attacks.I have become a hypochondriac.When I am having this anxiety attacks I get a feel of grief,panic,tense.I feel that something bad will happen to me.To control this,I start counting numbers,sometimes pinch myself and attack slowly subsides. I never had a day time full seizure since 1988. I have a constant fear that my epilepsy will again relapse and it will ruin my career. My question is 1)Whether these attacks are related to epilepsy? 2)What is the prognosis of my disease? 3)Sometimes I feel sleepy whole day.Is it due to effects of medicine or something else?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer: My reply is below. Detailed Answer: Hi Mr XXXX, Thank you for posting your query. Your diagnosis is epilepsy and normal MRI, CT scan and EEG can be found in true cases of epilepsy too. Nocturnal seizures can occur in epilepsy and they are safer than daytime seizures, as the risk of bodily injury is lesser with night seizures. So, at present, you require the anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). These medications would be required for long-term, may be even life long. Sodium valproate is a good drug for controlling and preventing epileptic attacks, so, it should be continued. The dose may have to be increased, as the usual effective dose is 30 mg per kg body weight (taken in two divided doses). If you take the AEDs regularly, there is a very good prognosis of your disease, and we do not expect seizures in the future. Mild sleepiness may occur due to the epilepsy medications. I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you require any additional information. Wishing you good health, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (18 minutes later)
Why I am getting Panic/anxiety attacks?Is it some sort of Partial seizure.?I am at present taking 300mg Sodium valporate CR twice daily.Is it the right dose?How will I know if I am at present getting nocturnal seizures?Will there be any adverse effect if I take Sodium Valporate over a long period of time.Last year ,I checked my SGPT/SGOT level.It was normal.Is this nocturnal seizure related to my childhood epilepsy?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Thank you for getting back. Detailed Answer: Panic attacks are not related to partial seizures, and it is an independent problem. You should consult a psychiatrist and get it treated also. The correct dose of sodium valproate CR, as I mentioned above, is 30 mg per kg body weight per day, taken in two doses. So, if your weight is 50 kg, you should take 500 mg twice daily. Nocturnal seizures can be noted by a family member, or you may notice a tongue bite or urinary incontinence on waking up. Sodium valproate is safe if taken over a long period of time. Yes, nocturnal seizures and childhood epilepsy are related in your case. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 minutes later)
Since I am taking sodium valporate 300 mg CR twice daily since Feb 2010,what should I do know?Shall the dose be increased or be tapered down.?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 hours later)
Brief Answer: Thank you for getting back. Detailed Answer: Pease do not change the dose on your own. Consult your neurologist and discuss your symptoms in detail. The dose can be changed only after that. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

Neurologist

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 6231 Questions

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Are Panic Attacks And Nocturnal Seizure Related To Epilepsy?

Brief Answer: My reply is below. Detailed Answer: Hi Mr XXXX, Thank you for posting your query. Your diagnosis is epilepsy and normal MRI, CT scan and EEG can be found in true cases of epilepsy too. Nocturnal seizures can occur in epilepsy and they are safer than daytime seizures, as the risk of bodily injury is lesser with night seizures. So, at present, you require the anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). These medications would be required for long-term, may be even life long. Sodium valproate is a good drug for controlling and preventing epileptic attacks, so, it should be continued. The dose may have to be increased, as the usual effective dose is 30 mg per kg body weight (taken in two divided doses). If you take the AEDs regularly, there is a very good prognosis of your disease, and we do not expect seizures in the future. Mild sleepiness may occur due to the epilepsy medications. I hope my answer helps. Please get back if you require any additional information. Wishing you good health, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India Click on this link to ask me a DIRECT QUERY: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My BLOG: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.in