We as a family are trying hard to see any patterns to
Breck's seizures. My Mother (Thelma) actually bought Breck a pocket calendar to
keep in her backpack at school or in her purse to document when she has a
seizure or just even when she just feels a little off. This has been the best
tool for us. I tried using a calendar on my phone, online or even the family
calendar on the wall. But for some reason the little one "to go" is
what WE ALL tend to go for.
We are also tracking her menstrual cycle (TOM... code
word)to see if that has any effect on what is happening. Since January we have
noted that she will have seizures before and after TOM but not so much during.
And she also seems to have 10 - to 12 days each month being Seizure free.
We also note the days that she is super tired... to the
point of physically not being able to stay awake. This does seem to be right at
the onset of TOM.
Well with all these "written patterns" and with
how she acted Sunday morning, I did resort to the pocket calendar and sure
enough we were on day 11 or 12 of being seizure free. So the seizure on Sunday
wasn't as much a shock as was the type of seizure she had. The Grand Mal has
been very rare --- but they seem to be increasing the last 60 days. I think she
has had 4 now in 60 days and prior to that we hadn't seen one since August of
2010. Most of her seizures are what they call partial complex seizures.
Here is some basic info I pulled from this website:
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/types-of-seizures-their-symptoms?page=2
Partial seizures are divided into simple, complex and those
that evolve into secondary generalized seizures. The difference between simple
and complex seizures is that during simple partial seizures, patients retain
awareness; during complex partial seizures, they lose awareness.
Complex partial seizures, by definition, include impairment
of awareness. Patients seem to be "out of touch," "out of
it," or "staring into space" during these seizures. There may
also be some "complex" symptoms called automatisms. Automatisms
consist of involuntary but coordinated movements that tend to be purposeless
and repetitive. Common automatisms include lip smacking, chewing, fidgeting,
and walking.
The third kind of partial seizure is one that begins as a
focal seizure and evolves into a generalized convulsive ("grand-mal")
seizure. Most patients with partial seizures have simple partial, complex
partial, and secondarily generalized seizures. In about two-thirds of patients
with partial epilepsy, seizures can be controlled with medications. Partial
seizures that cannot be treated with drugs can often be treated surgically.
With that being said we figured we would be in for another
round of seizures this upcoming week. Monday --- she was still on the
Clonazepam .5 mg from Sunday. No seizures but it took the whole day for her to
not be kind of "out of it"... super slow and coloring was kind of
greyish. (I know some of you laugh thinking of how I view colors... lol... but
JB said it too!) And Tuesday she looked great, lots of energy and had a great
day at school. Came home - took some Senior pics - did some homework and headed
to bed by 9pm.
Then this morning at 4am I awoke to her gurgling noise and
flipped on the light. Sure enough - her eyes were wide open, foaming at the
mouth and flat on her back. I ran to get John as he sleeps in the other room so
that Breck is never alone at night. By the time he got there she came out of it
within a minute. I didn't even have time to roll her on her side.
How do we know?... You can tell by her eyes mostly --- it is
weird how someone's eyes can change when they are looking at you instead of
thru you. Anyway I tried to get her to talk but could tell that she really
couldn't and she just wanted to go back to sleep. She groaned - and rolled over
onto her stomach. I listened for another 15 minutes until the clicking noises
stopped. Then tapped her and asked if she was ok. She muttered yes and we both
went back to sleep.
This morning I asked her how she was feeling - she said
fine. She said she remembered seeing Dad & I above her but couldn't
understand what we were saying. Matches what we had been thinking.
In the future Breck plans of writing as well, which will be
interesting to get what she is feeling and remembering. Maybe after
graduation... she is a little busy right now.
Again --- this is very detailed and for those who read it
--- thank you.
We are fine... counting our blessings. She is not hurting,
she has a great attitude and many wonderful friends and family that love her.
And that is the best thing of all.
Love and Smiles
Sean A'lee
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