What Causes Recurring Seizure When Exposed To Lights?
Question: My son is 48, autistic/handicapped.
Started at 3 weeks of age. Out grew heart & seizures as he grew older. Lives at home. Has a "job coach" thru Goodwill. Works at a local restaurant gathering silverwear, etc.
Last seizure was 3 years ago. Taken to local hospital. Followed up at large local teaching hospital. We stopped, turned to our family doctor because it seemed like the Teaching Hospital was using him too much as experimental.
We went 2 weeks ago to a local bowing alley in the evening with 70 other "special kids".
Shocked us with a large on the ground seizure. I would guess a couple of minutes. Police/Meds came to the call. They felt that his vital signs were ok. We went home, He gets very upset with doctors,etc. He was great all week, no issues. I thought it was an unusual break through. Next week was good. Bowling on Weds.
1. With another short game in the late afternoon. All well.
2.Than a Second game that day was at the same bowling alley as the previous week with the seizure.
ANOTHER SEIZURE AFTER THE FIRST GAME. It seemed that he could feel it coming on.
Could this be from the LIGHTS? This bowling alley was going through renovation. (They were NOT blinking even though each screen changed at different times.)
Our family GP recommended another Doctor. Appointment tomorrow morning.
Your thoughts? Thanks.
Started at 3 weeks of age. Out grew heart & seizures as he grew older. Lives at home. Has a "job coach" thru Goodwill. Works at a local restaurant gathering silverwear, etc.
Last seizure was 3 years ago. Taken to local hospital. Followed up at large local teaching hospital. We stopped, turned to our family doctor because it seemed like the Teaching Hospital was using him too much as experimental.
We went 2 weeks ago to a local bowing alley in the evening with 70 other "special kids".
Shocked us with a large on the ground seizure. I would guess a couple of minutes. Police/Meds came to the call. They felt that his vital signs were ok. We went home, He gets very upset with doctors,etc. He was great all week, no issues. I thought it was an unusual break through. Next week was good. Bowling on Weds.
1. With another short game in the late afternoon. All well.
2.Than a Second game that day was at the same bowling alley as the previous week with the seizure.
ANOTHER SEIZURE AFTER THE FIRST GAME. It seemed that he could feel it coming on.
Could this be from the LIGHTS? This bowling alley was going through renovation. (They were NOT blinking even though each screen changed at different times.)
Our family GP recommended another Doctor. Appointment tomorrow morning.
Your thoughts? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Possibility of seizure precipitation due to light
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Seizure recurrence can occur due to skipping medication, fever, decreased sleep, night awakening.
Any new medication being taken recently.
Any alcohol intake?
Some person are also sensitive to light stimulation and flickering light may precipitate seizures.
You should avoid exposure to such environment or use dark goggles.
The dose of drugs may be increased.
You need to get an EEG of the patient.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Possibility of seizure precipitation due to light
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
Seizure recurrence can occur due to skipping medication, fever, decreased sleep, night awakening.
Any new medication being taken recently.
Any alcohol intake?
Some person are also sensitive to light stimulation and flickering light may precipitate seizures.
You should avoid exposure to such environment or use dark goggles.
The dose of drugs may be increased.
You need to get an EEG of the patient.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Do get back to me for further queries.
Regards
Dr N Kumar
Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D