Cause of seizures?

Posted by heal33 @heal33, Sep 21, 2020

I have an appointment set up for October 1st with a new doctor who is an epileptologist at a Level 4 center in Chicago. I set up this appointment in March. I met him in July via telehealth which I don't like. I had an MRI there and they said it was Mesial Temporal Sclerosis. I called his nurse and she said my problem was something I was born with. I'm assuming she meant genetic which I would have either inherited or caused by some genetic variations which I think are rare. My parents didn't have epilepsy and I don't know that there was anyone in my family who had them. I always thought my seizures were caused by a fall I had as a young child which I guess is why the MRI showed scar tissue. I had another MRI last fall with the same results and that doctor said my seizures were due to the fall I had. How can a doctor make the determination my cause is genetic if all he has is an MRI? Don't they need to do genetic testing? I'll wait to see what he says.

I did have a febrile seizure as a child with chicken pox but my seizures didn't start until the age of 26.

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

@ Yes, still taking Carbatrol 1,000 mg & Phenobarbital 162 mg. I always have seizures within 24-48 hours if I miss my meds. I take all my pills in the morning 18 pills, I used to take 30 seizure pills a day.
I'm sure my meds affect my coordination, memory, concentration, and slight fatigue.
Take care,
Jake

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Profile picture for sandy0167 @sandy0167

@jakedduck

Are you still talking your medicine? Which one? What about side effects?

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@sandy0167
Hi Sandy!
Welcome to our group — we are glad you found us!
Would you be willing to share a little more about your epilepsy journey with us? Things like when you were diagnosed, your epilepsy type, the seizures you experience, the medications you take — whatever you feel comfortable sharing — would help us better understand your situation and support you more meaningfully.
Chris

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