DW Seizure

Hvbw

My DW who has been living with ALZ for 7 years (64 yr) had a seizure last week ( first one) about 9:30 AM in the morning. The seizure lasted about a min and to see your wife in convulsions was really shocking for me to and called 911. The EMT checked her out and although she was out of it all her vitals were ok and did not need to go to emergency. I advised my neurologist but as a seizure could have so many triggers hard to,say why she had one. So we were going to monitor her but now another layer of stress on me as I am really worried she gets another one.

Although it took her day to recover she has been great this week but the reason I am writing this post at 2:30 AM in the morning she just had another seizure. This one was much shorter 20 seconds but looks like she is right now trying to recover. I t looks like I will be up all night. I personally think she was dehydrated today which I understand one of the triggers. . We went for our daily walk today and she barely made it back to the house and It almost felt she was going to a seizure right there. I gave her electrolytes and water afterwards and seems like she was doing ok. Unfortunately, as we were going to bed I could see she was not feeling right. The first seizure came out of nowhere but this one like she knew it was coming and then it hit. Started with the shaking, and basically unconscious while it is happening. Although I was much more in control this time still so upsetting! I really am now stressed these seizures with all the other full time caretaking duties. I know there are anti seizure pills she can take but I was really hoping these seizures were one off. Maybe somebody has experience with this and can provide me some guidance.

charley0419

sorry your dealing with this, I wasn’t aware this was another thing that my happen from this dreadful illness. Keep the faith. This illness sucks big time

midge333

You don't mention what stage she is in. If in an early stage, she should be evaluated and likely started on an antiepileptic drug. If in latter stages (6 & 7), you may choose not to do anything about the seizures as so far they have been short lived and resolved without intervention.

Quilting brings calm

Two seizures without any known cause ( after evaluation) is considered epilepsy. She’s not been evaluated, so that diagnosis cannot be made. Even with evaluation, her diagnosis is probably going to be ‘ related to dementia’ rather than epilepsy. There are medications to take and the neurologist should be able to prescribe them. Although they may refer you to a neurologist that specializes in seizures.

I would suggest that you call and get the medications. It’s a comfort thing because seizures can make a person groggy, confused, nauseous ( vomiting) and have a severe headache all for several hours afterwards. In addition, having one in bed laying face down is life threatening. Other than that last one, giving her medications to prevent seizures does not mean that you are prolonging her life. The medications aren’t treating her, just trying to prevent the seizures.

blacksparky

Ny DW was diagnosed almost 2 years ago at the age of 53. She had her first seizure last March and has had a total of 5 seizures as of this comment. The neurologist has said they are Alzheimer’s related. She is on Keppra and the last three happened while on Keppra. I’ve read that each seizure progresses the disease. Really not sure what we can do. She is late stage 5 with a foot into stage 6. I guess all we can do is ride the wave of this terrible disease. Hang in there . 👍

Timmyd

Hello. My DW was diagnosed with EO almost 4 years ago. I estimate we are early stage 6.

I have noticed during sleep, she often has these short, sudden, jerk movements in her arms or legs. She sleeps through it and it did not seem too unusual to me. I had thought it was dream related.

I am now beginning to wonder. For those dealing with full blow seizures, is there anything looking back that might have been a precursor or hint of that something was off ?

blacksparky

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/248586#Comment_248586

My DW’s seizures just happened with no other warnings that I can think of. All of her seizures happened between 8:00 am and 9:00 am. My neurologist compared these seizures like a computer that is overloaded and reboots itself. Maybe it’s something that happens at night when she sleeps. 🤔

Quilting brings calm

There is a condition called periodic limb movement disorder that happens when some people sleep. My spouse has been diagnosed with it after a sleep study.

SDianeL

found this online. Very common. Alzheimer's disease and seizures are closely linked, with a significantly higher risk of seizures in individuals with Alzheimer's, particularly as the disease progresses. These seizures can be symptomatic of Alzheimer's or arise from a pre-existing epilepsy condition. While some seizures may be noticeable with convulsions, others can be subtle, causing confusion or staring spells. The presence of seizures in Alzheimer's patients can be an indicator of more advanced disease progression and may warrant treatment with anti-epileptic drugs.