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What Causes Frequent Seizures?
Question: My 90 year old mother just had her fourth seizure, lasting less than a minute. Spent 3 days in the hospital last week and they found nothing wrong. She has had numerous TIAs before but this is something new.
Brief Answer:
has she underwent mri brain? is she on anticonvulsant?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Seizures at the age of 90 can be due to multiple reasons. First is brain at this age has atrophied in size and there can be electrolyte imbalance which can also cause seizures.
It will ne important that she should be hospitalized and run investigations for electrolytes. MRI brain will also be useful to find out the cause of seizures.
Consult a neurologist as she requires certain test and detailed physical examination to find out the cause.
You have not mentioned whether she is on any anticonvulsant medications?
If yes then are they adequate for her?
Seizures at this age can be more harmful and needs to be investigated thoroughly.
Kindly answer above questions so I can advise you better.
Thank you
has she underwent mri brain? is she on anticonvulsant?
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Seizures at the age of 90 can be due to multiple reasons. First is brain at this age has atrophied in size and there can be electrolyte imbalance which can also cause seizures.
It will ne important that she should be hospitalized and run investigations for electrolytes. MRI brain will also be useful to find out the cause of seizures.
Consult a neurologist as she requires certain test and detailed physical examination to find out the cause.
You have not mentioned whether she is on any anticonvulsant medications?
If yes then are they adequate for her?
Seizures at this age can be more harmful and needs to be investigated thoroughly.
Kindly answer above questions so I can advise you better.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
I took my mother to her family doctor yesterday - he thought she might have had a buildup ropinole in her system - she has not had restless leg since she had started taking it 10 years ago. That seemed unlikely to me but I am not a doctor. He did order and EEG for Monday.
Since our visit yesterday, I have called him but he is off today. She had "whole body seizure in the middle of the night. It was so much worse than the others. That was about 11:00 last night. I got home at six - I had a sitter all day - and she still is not awake. The sitter tried to wake her up midday, but mom just grunted and pulled the covers up - I had the same experience. Should I just let her sleep until morning or is that unhealthy.? Please advise!
You asked if she was taking anticonvulsants - no, this has never happened before and while she was in the hospital she did not have an episode. They did not do and MRI, but her CAT SCAN showed nothing.. She has only had an episode here at home. I appreciate your advice. (ps - electrolytes are normal)
Many thanks
Since our visit yesterday, I have called him but he is off today. She had "whole body seizure in the middle of the night. It was so much worse than the others. That was about 11:00 last night. I got home at six - I had a sitter all day - and she still is not awake. The sitter tried to wake her up midday, but mom just grunted and pulled the covers up - I had the same experience. Should I just let her sleep until morning or is that unhealthy.? Please advise!
You asked if she was taking anticonvulsants - no, this has never happened before and while she was in the hospital she did not have an episode. They did not do and MRI, but her CAT SCAN showed nothing.. She has only had an episode here at home. I appreciate your advice. (ps - electrolytes are normal)
Many thanks
Brief Answer:
MRI and EEG will be very helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thanks for following up with me.
Ok, so electrolytes are normal.
We have seen in many patients that CAT scan does not reveal or it comes normal but MRI gives a wealth of information about brain where CT cannot pick up.
EEG have limitations as mostly it will be normal other times when patient does not have any on going seizure activity.
Ropinirole does not have these kind of side effects so even i feel that it may not be a reason.
So i would like to advice you that getting MRI brain plain and if felt then with contrast will be very helpful in her case. As you have been asked for EEG, get that done too. Both of them will help a lot to arrive at diagnosis.
I had 1 question. I would like to know the regular meds she is taking on daily basis. Sometimes some drugs can have these side effects just to rule out this possibility.
Otherwise above advice will be very helpful.
Waiting for the medication list she is taking.
Thank you
MRI and EEG will be very helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thanks for following up with me.
Ok, so electrolytes are normal.
We have seen in many patients that CAT scan does not reveal or it comes normal but MRI gives a wealth of information about brain where CT cannot pick up.
EEG have limitations as mostly it will be normal other times when patient does not have any on going seizure activity.
Ropinirole does not have these kind of side effects so even i feel that it may not be a reason.
So i would like to advice you that getting MRI brain plain and if felt then with contrast will be very helpful in her case. As you have been asked for EEG, get that done too. Both of them will help a lot to arrive at diagnosis.
I had 1 question. I would like to know the regular meds she is taking on daily basis. Sometimes some drugs can have these side effects just to rule out this possibility.
Otherwise above advice will be very helpful.
Waiting for the medication list she is taking.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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