Why Am I Having Seizures Seven Years Post-Brain Injury?

Why Am I Having Seizures Seven Years Post-Brain Injury?
Brian D. Greenwald, MD
Question: 

I had a subdural hematoma from a rock climbing fall back in 2003. I was rescued by helicopter and taken to a trauma center where I had a craniotomy to stop the bleeding. I was told by the surgeons that I had an excellent chance of a full recovery, which proved to be true after about five months.

In January 2010, I had a grand mal seizure. After MRIs and an EEG, the seizure was thought to be a one-time event due to drinking too much and then coming home and taking some prescription sleep medication, which lowered my seizure threshold.

But a month ago, I had a tonic-clonic seizure totally by surprise. I was at a meeting and was not drinking. I had been working extremely hard and not sleeping well as a result. I was told to take 1,000 of Keppra per day which had terrible side affects. I cut back the Keppra to 250mg before bedtime and that's all. My doctor is sending me another brand of medication to try.

Why would I have seizures seven years after the accident? And, what are the chances of staying off medication and just taking good care of myself? I have been sleeping regularly and better, quit drinking alcohol, exercising, doing meditation and yoga, and I feel great.

Answer: 

Approximately 5-10 percent of individuals with traumatic brain injury experience new- onset seizures. The risk of seizure increases with increasing injury severity, depressed skull fracture, intracranial hematoma, and penetrating trauma. The risk is greatest in the first two years after injury and gradually declines thereafter.

A well-written review of seizure is available on BrainLine, written by the Knowledge Translation Center of the Traumatic Brain Injury Model System: Seizures and Traumatic Brain Injury

From what you describe, the traumatic brain injury you sustained left an epileptogenic focus. This is the injured area where the seizures start from. Conditions that could increase the risk of having a seizure include:

  • High fever
  • Loss of sleep and extreme fatigue
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Chemical changes in the body such as low sodium or magnesium, or high calcium

Some of these conditions you can control and some you can’t. Some seizure medications have more side effects than others. It is important to speak with your neurologist about your feelings and concerns. You could also seek the consultation of an epileptologist (seizure specialist).

 

Posted on BrainLine September 11, 2012.

Comments (16)

Please remember, we are not able to give medical or legal advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult your doctor. All posted comments are the views and opinions of the poster only.

Anonymous replied on

was in and out of a psychiatric hospital in Anchorage Alaska. When I was six, my mother told an IQ doctor that she did not know my father or said he was not in the picture. They just ignored me and worked their hardest to fix my older sister simply because had IEPs. I was put outside a lot, abused, neglected, and mistreated medically in horribly violent ways. I was beaten up and bullied my entire life. In 2016, I had my head broken in four spots and a tooth knocked inward. In 2018, I was diagnosed with a new TBI.

I have seizures really bad now -- day and night. I'm a wreck socially and legally, marital problems, no university degree or chance of getting one, can not drive and I'm suicidal as f***

Anonymous replied on

I was in your shoes pretty much exactly! I still struggle with CPTSD and major depression. I was acutely suicidal. I had been married to an abuser for 40 years and was in a plane that had to make an emergency landing, which directly led to my divorce. You are of value and have purpose! Please don’t do it(suicide). I’m so glad I didn’t do it. Always wait another day, and then the next day. Repeat. Great that you quit alcohol, as did I. No addiction issues, just realizing the toll of alcohol on mental health. Also, if you have had significant trauma, greatly increased risk of developing a dependency. Anyway, I’m rooting for you! Best, Bonnie

Debbie replied on

Dear Anonymous,
I'm so sorry for the abuse, neglect and injury you have experienced. I want to encourage you that there is hope and that hope is found in the healing power of God. One of Gods names is Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. Another of Gods names is Jehovah Jirah the God who provides. I pray for God to heal you and provide for you. He has a plan for your life and it is good, to bring you hope and a future. In Jesus Name Amen

Leslie replied on

My husband is 41 years post tbi and had a grand mal this past Sunday during the night. We have been together for 27 years and hasn’t had a seizure during this time. Scared me so I called the ambulance. He is on keepra now but I am afraid to leave him alone. He also has a bunch of doctors appointments coming up.

Wendy replied on

Watch out for the side effects of Keppra. My son was on that right after he had his brain injury and he was really violent. That is the one main side effect that I hear from people on Keppra.

LisAnne M Becotte replied on

I was TBI'd in 1999; by a drunk in 1999; I have seizures so infrequently; I forget; what is happening. I had on; last night; I thought was dying!!! NO: I Can't die...I just found love!!!

David. replied on

I suffered a TBI in 1993 and was happy to recover from it.I then started having seizures in Oct.2014 and they have been reduced but still occur every month or two.

JJM replied on

I had a severe tramatic brain injury 14 years ago. No seizures first 2 years. On anti seizure medication. Then seizures. I have quit a couple years after that but i need anitseizure meds now. Hard time going thru dr. She had no experience in matter i think and barley spoke English. How can i see a neurologist without insurance?

Cmdcd replied on

My daughter suffered aTBI three years ago in a motor vehicle accident. She had an AVM that we were not aware of that ruptured on impact. She has hemeplegia of the right side, speech and language impairment. She had occasionally Chill like spasm. Didn't think much of it but it has been happening more often. Is it a siezure? Should we be concerned?

Maria replied on

I don't know if anyone can help me, my son suffered a brain injury 6 years ago, he had 2 seizures within a week and none after that. Tonight I went in to check on him, he was laying down staring blankly, I touched him and it was like I was waking him up. Was this an absence seizure or was he just sleeping with his eyes open?

Kelly replied on

My first ever grand mal seizure happened without incident 11 years after my tbi.

J. Adams replied on

This says seizures should decrease over time?? Not for me, I'm almost ten years post skull fracture and this past year has been my worst seizure activity the since accident? Used to be maybe 1-2 a year. I've had at least 6 grand mals & at least 4 or 5 almost seizure episodes! Why?

Anonymous replied on

My son has been put on Lyrica....Gabapentan...Keppra...Depakote....and now Vimpat which is made by the same company as Keppra...He is having results and not any severe side effects that he had with Keppra....Keppra was the worst.

He also wears a CBD patch which lessens the severity and amount of time between his seizures..He said it also calms him.  We live in Colorado...We did live in Florida but moved to Colorado for the CBD and medical marijuana.  

Dawn replied on

I had a SEVERE TBI at age 16 but was seizure n medication free for 15 years until stress and my quitting of marijuana, then the seizures came back frequently and I ended up getting staples in my head and stitches in my eyebrow from one of the seizure convulsions episode.The neurologist put me on so many medications all which i suffered horrible side effects from weight loss to hair loss to passing out and more n still had seizures, so I decided to take charge of my own body and started back with marijuana/cbd oil, exercise, and eating healthier somewhat like the ketogenic diet and I have been seizure free for over a year now. I believe out society is too drug happy for a profit instead of doing things as natural as possible with the least side effects.

Anonymous replied on

After developing seizures three yrs post injury (moderate, no surgery needed but multiple blows and shaken) I was put on Kepra xl. My headaches increased and my system shut down. The extended release built up in my system and after not sleeping for several days, I nearly died. My pain was so great and I became so disoriented I ended up thinking hours hard passed and in reality only minutes had. I was delusional. I inadvertently overdosed on pain meds. I no longer take Keppra. Deep in tyh e literature it does state, that 'this medication can cause headaches'. Duh...

Anonymous replied on

Many medications given to TBI patients can cause seizures, e.g., SSRI antidepressants. A better alternative would be to use an Alpha Stim 100 (Cranial Electrical Stimulation or CES unit - currently being used by DOD at Fort Bragg in the Wartime Reset Program) and take some 5-HTP (a precursor to serotonin). Check any medication prescribed on rxlist.com for side effects and adverse reactions and avoid those that increase your potential for seizures. Acupuncture has also proven to be extremely effective. After TBI, cellular respiration is adversely affected so doing anything that improves cellular function is beneficial -- detox, detox, detox. Avoid chemicals in your food (especially artificial sweeteners which are known neurotoxins). Check you personal care products too. Sodium laurel sulfate in your shampoo can also adversely affect brain function. Hope this helps - it worked for me.