Epilepsy. Whenever I undertake long night journeys by road due to interruptions in sleep I get seizures. Why?

Question

Because, all my seizures have occured when there was less or no sleep, physical exhertion, etc. Can I take an additional dose of my regular dilantin capsules? Last time when I recovered from my seizure, i was asked to swallow SIX dilantin capsules !!!!

Answer 1

I too have epilepsy, and I also take Dilantin. Lack of sleep is my number one seizure trigger. Right now my seizures are under control. I can squeak by with lack of sleep for one night, but if I have two nights in a row where I don't get enough sleep, I start to experience auras.

The reason you were asked to take six capsules was to prevent you from having more seizures at that moment. You know how you shock a pool with a large dose of chlorine? Same principal with medication. You shock your system with a large dose of medicine. Your neurologist should check your Dilantin level at least every six months or so, just to be sure you're on track. Do not take an extra Dilantin or two to prevent seizures. You could develop a toxic level of the drug in your system, which could bring about more seizures.

As for why sleep deprivation causes seizures, I really don't know. I've asked my doctor about it, and he said that while many doctors have many theories, no one really knows. It could be that the buildup of the chemical that makes you sleepy could somehow lower your seizure threshhold, making it easier for you to have a seizure. It could be that your brain is like a computer, and sleep restores the resources your brain uses to process information. Without enough resources, a computer can crash. When your brain crashes, a seizure is the result (my doctor said that he puts it that way because it's easier for kids to understand). It could be that since your brain is fighting to stay awake, firing electrical signals from neuron to neuron, it fights too hard and overcompensates for being sleepy, thus producing an electrical signal overload which can develop into a seizure.

Answer 2

I wish there was an answer for everything right now I have been recovering from brain surgery because of my epilepsy. everything that you are getting as answers is a lot of help I know that before when I had my gran Mal seizures I felt like a truck ran over me and my tongue I would have a lot when I would go on vacation and when there were always a lot of flashing lights even during movies with intense light fluctuation towards the end, in a day of course,after a long week I would get between 25 to 30 petite Mal seizures we have to do what the doctor says and of course ask a lot of questions do research don't forget there are a lot of us out here so don't feel alone!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU

Answer 3

"Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) begins in patients aged 8 to 20 years. These patients have normal IQ and are otherwise neurologically intact. There is usually a family history of similar seizures. The seizures are morning myoclonic jerks often with generalized tonic-clonic seizures that occur just after waking. EEG readings reveal generalized spikes with 4-6 Hz spike wave discharges and multiple spike discharges. Interestingly, these patients are often first diagnosed when they have their first generalized tonic-clonic seizure later in life when they experience sleep deprivation (e.g., freshman year in college after staying up late to study for exams). Valproic acid is the first line treatment. This condition is lifelong, thus patients must be taught appropriate sleep hygiene to prevent generalized tonic-clonic seizures."

although I agree flashing lights may be the problem too...

AND DILANTIN comes in different doses in VERY SIMILAR LOOKING PILLS, so be carfeul and check with your doctor for safety.

Answer 4

This question is too serious to just answer with a cut and paste reply. The two links are what I found (and I'm sure you already know everything) about the different types of seizures and what you have to look out for with the drug.

My answer is TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR and if you don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

Take care!

Answer 5

hun i have ephilepsy also but u have to have a sleep schedule down pat and u must get whatever hrs u require i require 10 u might be different have u a set time to be in bed and everthing else but the reason u will have a seizure out of all of this its throwing ur body off track with stress of driving, kids, and all that so just remember to get and keep ur cycle straight

Answer 6

Fatigue can exacerbate epilepsy.

If your dilantin level is therapeutic, you should not take more. You risk drug toxicity.

If you were asked to take six tablets in the past, your level was probably low.

If your epilepsy is poorly controlled, you should speak to your neurologist.

Answer 7

Fatigue may be a factor as are the flashing lights of passing cars. Flashing lights have been shown to be very conducive to that kind of reaction.