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Any Briviact experiences to share?
Epilepsy & Seizures | Last Active: 9 hours ago | Replies (143)Comment receiving replies
@louissc
Hi Louis,
It's great that you've already identified one of your triggers — that's an important step!
I'd suggest expanding your diary beyond screen time to include sleep, stress levels, meal details, and any other relevant factors. As I've mentioned before, this kind of tracking has helped me enormously in identifying and monitoring my own triggers, and ultimately in reducing my seizures. It's well worth the effort!
Regarding the links I shared earlier, they include some practical tips for managing prolonged computer monitor exposure. Do take a look and see which ones work for you.
On a positive note: focal seizures are significantly milder than tonic-clonic ones and carry much lower risk. The fact that you're experiencing these instead of your typical collapse seizures is, in my view, a real sign of progress in your treatment. That deserves to be celebrated!
I'd love to hear more about these episodes. Is your consciousness preserved or affected during them? Do you notice any accompanying symptoms — nausea, unusual smells, tastes, or visions, or perhaps a tendency to stare blankly?
I'm sharing two links below with detailed descriptions of focal seizure types that may help you better identify what you're experiencing, and also prepare for your upcoming medical appointment:
Focal Preserved Consciousness Seizures (Simple Partial Seizures)
Epilepsy Foundation
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-types/focal-preserved-consciousness-seizures
Focal Impaired Consciousness Seizures (Complex Partial Seizures)
Epilepsy Foundation
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-types/focal-impaired-consciousness-seizures
Have a lovely evening — it's just the start of the day here! 😊
Chris
Replies to "@louissc Hi Louis, It's great that you've already identified one of your triggers — that's an..."
Hi Chris,
It's the end of a work week here!
The official diagnosis is the epilepsy being multifocal, and my current neurologist was certain about that. I must admit emotion, stress levels do play a MAJOR part when seizures can be triggered. However, when viewing the screen is for leisure purposes, for e.g. just sharing experiences on this platform or sudoku, everything's ok. Comfort food like KFC could comfort me sometimes but of course the limit must be there, together with other stuff which all doctors will shake their heads and say no. I don't collaspse out of the blue now, but sudden seizures can still occur. I could still feel the "aura" and experience that deja vu, but it's surely much shorter now. However, with Briviact, the intensity of it decreased till barely noticeable if I am to be sitting down but of course not if I'm standing.
I won't have the more extreme and disturbing side effects of AEMs like nausea etc. Memory sure dropped, anniversaries forgotten, and being tired much easier now (although I am not sure whether that's to work or Briviact). Having thinning hair and more white ones I am not sure is a side effect of any side effect? I would still be conscious (even before Briviact), just that I couldn't speak for appprox 20sec (after factoring in those recovering time). However, with my fingers I would tell people around all's good so no worries. I am not sure if my "multifocal" seizure can be turned to become a "focal" one. Taking life easy like the French, will it help? Psychologically one with epilepsy will surely be affected.
I guess learning how to live life for yourself helps, and not let the negatives overtake the positives. As for the links you kindly shared, I will go check them up over the weekends. Oh I forgot to mention previously. Having Briviact somehow made me smile for no reason. Is that a side effect?
Have a good weekend ahead after work.
Cheers,
Louis
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@louissc
Hi Louis again!
I share two discussions from our group that I think you'd find interesting and where your own experience would be a valuable contribution!
Tiredness triggering an atonic seizure vs sudden falling asleep
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tiredness-triggering-an-atonic-seizure-vs-sudden-falling-asleep/
Which Seizure Trigger Is Your Hardest Battle?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/which-seizure-trigger-is-your-hardest-battle/
Have a look and feel free to jump in. The more perspectives shared, the richer the conversation for everyone!
Chris
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