Seizures
To make a long story short, I had my second RNY revision in March
2001, from which I suffered near fatal complications. I survived
the coma and many months of recovery being told that I would make a
complete recovery. After about 18 months, I suffered my first grand
mal seizure, even though we did not know that is what it was at the
time. No one was around when I went down to witness any seizure
activity, I was simply found unconscious on the floor. About a week
later, the same thing happened. I had been admitted to the hospital
and had every test ran. Epilepsy was ruled out. Cardiac problems
ruled out. No test returned a positive result.
My doctor then started investigating the possibility of it being a
metabolic problem. In the mean time, I had returned to work and
thought the “passing out” as it was called, was just a minor bump in
the road. Then I had another episode, this time witnessed by my
coworkers and it was determined to be a grand mal seizure. Admitted
to the hospital again for more tests, nothing could be determined.
My doctor then ran a 5 hour glucose tolerance test to rule out
diabetes. It also was negative, but later that day I had another
grand mal seizure in the grocery store. The doctor said that it was
a result of a condition called “reactive hypoglycemia.” What it
means is that my body will begin to produce insulin at inappropriate
times and cause my blood sugar level to plummet very rapidly, and if
it drops far enough, will result in a grand mal seizure.
I don’t totally buy that. I think it could be a FACTOR in
triggering the seizure, but these guys come upon me with almost no
warning. Although I have never been diabetic, my mother was a very
brittle type I diabetic all my life so I can easily recognize the
symptoms of hypoglycemia. She is now deceased. From what I
remember of hypoglycemia (or insulin reactions as she called them)
is that she would get shaky and clammy feeling, maybe cold and
weak. She would get very dry-mouthed and develop a ravenous
appetite and possibly even get sleepy. I bypass most or all of
these symptoms and go directly to the grand mal seizure. I have had
2 in the last month. Besides being disturbing, they are
embarassing. The last one I had was within just seconds of
occurring in front of my 3 year old grand daughter. It would have
scared her to death.
I am not asking for any kind of diagnosis here, but I am scheduled
to see an Endocrinologist on Tuesday for a consultation. My doctor
feels that he might be able to determine whether it is really
Reactive Hypoglycemia or not. If he thinks it is not metabollical
in nature, then it will be back to the Neurologist for further
testing and determining what is causing the seizures and possible
anti-seizure medication.
My point in making this post is the possibility that of the folks on
this list, someone has had a similar problem and I might be able to
go to the doctor with some intelligent questions to ask and help him
arrive at a diagnosis more easily. I am truly at my wits’ end now.
I don’t know what I am going to do if these seizures can’t be
controlled. I think it is just a matter of time before I injure
myself severely enough when I have one that it could take me out.
So far, it is just lacerations and broken bones, but it could be
much worse.
Hopefully someone has some information for me.
Bill
FL