Can grand mal seizures cause brain damage?

Question

My husband suffers from epilepsy, and has had three grand mal seizures in the last month and a half, after not having any for almost two years (not even petit mals. He is taking medication for seizures). Over the last two years since his diagnosis, he's suffered from frequent migraines, and has had a huge amount of short-term memory loss.
There's also been a deteroriation of motor functions; he's no longer able to keep up physically with other soldiers (he's in the military)(he's not overweight, even by military standards).
We're both really worried. And I can tell his neurologist is as well.
Anybody have some useful information on this?
I tried to provide all pertinent information, but if I missed anything, ask and I will add to the details.

Answer 1

Here is an interesting article that may help answer the question. While it is possible, apparently, they claim it is rare to have permanent brain damage from a series of "regular" Grand Mal Seizures, but I know that someone in "Status Epileptis", an ongoing seizure that lasts for an extended period can have some serious complications. (I used to be an Emergency Med Tech)
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000695.htm
If you click on the "Outlook (Prognosis)" link, it will take you directly to the section stating permanent brain damage is rare.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000695.htm#Expectations%20(prognosis)

I want to wish you luck in finding answers from the Military Docs on this. If you can avoid taking him to any VA hospitals, try to. I rescued my son's Father In Law from those people a couple of times.

Part of the problem lies in that the Military uses Drugs and Drug names that are not common. They will not tell you that his seizure medication changed. They also will not tell you if it is experimental.
Another problem is that some Epileptics build a resistance to their drug, so it may be time for them to change his meds for a while. Talk to his Neurologist and see if he can find out if the formulation in his meds was changed, or if he can order a stronger dose or new meds.


Thanks for asking this. My oldest Grand-daughter suffered a brain injury last year. I thought she was no longer in danger of suffering seizures as a side effect. I was wrong. Thank you for making me look this up.

Answer 2

Grand Mal Seizure Brain Damage

Answer 3

they can. it's really hard to say to what extent the brain could suffer or how many seizures one could handle. all seizures are different and so is each person. one major grand mal could cause damage to a specific person.