Hi, please could you give any information or advice on what auras and triggers could be. We are new to epilepsy and need Information.

[BBE7]

My 10 year old son has just been diagnosed.

Thanks

BBE7

[vernigma]

I know that stress, lack of sleep, and forgetting / not taking medication leads to

a seizure.

I was playing video games when I was tired... a no no... (Those are triggers)

The aura part involves

-tunnel vision at times;

-anxiety very high;

-flickering lights (in my case);

Before I had a seizure last month (1st time in 7 years) - I felt my left arm go

numb and I knew a second before I got it - I told myself Oh no I got it

I hope this helps

Regards

[BBE7]

Thanks. He did get a very strong fearful or scared feeling before his last 2 seizures. So that could be an aura. I Thought maybe he knew what was going to happen and just got frightened.

Thank you. That's very very helpful

[ramson]

Hi. Lack of sleep < 4. Hours per. Day

[Hidden]

Hi BBE7, Vernigma and Ramson are correct with triggers and auras. Sometimes, the patient can have a sense of smell as an aura, but mainly video playing, too much TV, flickering lights, stress and tiredness. Everyone is different but these are the main reasons.

[rebone101]

In my case my biggest triger is over excitement

[klyndywel]

Hi BBE7

In my experience triggers can be anything from to little rest/sleep, to many flashing images i.e tv, computer or even the flashing street lights at nite as you drive past and ofcourse...failure to take the medication as indicated by the specialist. As far as aura's are concerned in my personal experience having been diagnosed at age 12, at first i never had aura's. the seizure just came in an instant. but as I got older i started having aura's in the form of sun spots. you know the vision you get when you stare into the sun and look away you see the little lightballs dancing infront of your eyes. well thats how I know a seizure is about to strike. My family and friends also say in this instance they see me twitching though i dont always realize it.

[vernigma]

Yes the sun spots warning comes weeks in advance. Last week Thursday I had a seizure in the CBD. I got a feeling in my left hand and I held my left hand trying to fight it - but I collapsed and and got hurt badly. In the days leading up to the seizure, I noticed birds almost coming at me kamikaze; flickering lights and this feeling (that I could achieve anything). I definitely agree with little sleep or rest as this was evident to the events leading up to last Thursday!

Anyone seen that movie about the Ketogenic diet - is there truth to that?

[TEELEE]

Hi BBE7

The EEG output should give you guidance as to triggers. Our neuro is adament that our son (just turned 9) is not light-sensitive but stress (and therefore lack of sleep) is a trigger. He loves TV and xbox and although I of course limit it (as one would any child) I have not had to add additional restrictions due to his epilepsy. We only got diagnosed in Nov - and he doesn't have grand-mal seizures but we are really struggling with all sorts of other seizure activity - one thing I did was get him a ICE bracelet (velcro with steel laser engraved disc that has my details and his epilepsy condition on it) - has given me some piece of mind when he is playing sport, away matches etc.

Good luck!