Seizures while sleeping with a CPAP machine

Posted by kennethracey @kennethracey, Feb 28, 2020

I’ve been experiencing seizures while sleeping with a CPAC machine. I’ve had MRI, EKG and Neck X-Ray due to looking at computer screen as much as 8 hrs a day. All test results are in my favor. I am 66 and a veteran. The doctor has prescribed 500 milligrams of Keppra in morning and 500 milligrams in evening. Does this sound familiar to anyone else. I have a scheduled appointment with a neurologist March 10th does anyone know of any questions I should be sure to ask him? Has anyone experienced these symptoms also while trying to adjust your body to the CPAC machine with sleep apnea. Can anyone help me?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group.

@kennethracey

Hello, I too have seizures and am on a CPAP. To be clear my seizures are not caused by CPAP. I have been on Keppra while having seizures on a CPAP too. I have been diagnosed with tonic clonic, complex partial seizures and sleep apnea. So far I have only had complex partial seizures while on CPAP. Yes computer screen 8+ hours a day. I'm 65 years old and thank you for your service.

I know I am late to this but I will go anyway. There is a refresh rate on a computer monitor you might check about. An improperly set monitor can flicker. I also have neck problems so I adjust my monitor up and down as well as my chair to get different angles on the monitor. You are probably aware of all of those.

I just found an article which ties sleep(CPAP) and epilepsy together. I am still wading through it but here are some links to posts I have placed on a different thread. The article may give you some ideas. I hope things are going well for you.

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment-redirect/408055
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment-redirect/408062
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment-redirect/408084

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I have focal seizures and the doctor diagnosed me with sleep apnea. Every since I been using the cpap machine with the mask, I noticed that my seizures in the morning are increasing. This is very confusing.

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@emat16

I have focal seizures and the doctor diagnosed me with sleep apnea. Every since I been using the cpap machine with the mask, I noticed that my seizures in the morning are increasing. This is very confusing.

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Hello @emat16, Welcome to Connect. I would be frustrated and confused also if the treatment for my sleep apnea made my symptoms worse. Have you discussed the increase of the focal seizures in the morning with your doctor to see if there may be some adjustments needed for the CPAP machine?

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@johnhans

@kennethracey and @lisalucier I have not known anyone to get seizures while on CPAP. I do know from friends who have had epilepsy that being tired can bring on seizures so I would believe that using CPAP would help lessen seizures. If you live in the USA you might want to check in with your local chapter of the National Epilepsy Foundation for more info. The address is epilepsy.com and then do a search for your local chapter.

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My husband recently had seizures at night while he was sleeping with his cpap on

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@pd2412

My husband recently had seizures at night while he was sleeping with his cpap on

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Hello @pd2412, Welcome to Connect. Did your husbands doctor suggest any other treatments to help with the seizures?

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