1)  Didn't your neuro wonder if the night dose was wearing off before
morning?  Sometimes our bodies change and we might need an adjustment to
bring things back in balance, even if it's a slight increase on alternate
nights.
2)  You didn't mention which pill (or *if) you're using any Anti-Ep.
Medictation.   Others here might have ideas if they know which one you're
taking.
3)  Do you know which area of your brain was affected when you were younger?
(above).   Some parts can produce different symptoms, depending where the
seizures are happening.   (I've had some Extreme fear sensations once or
twice a month, from Right Temporal Lobe seizure focus, but it could also be
a sign that I'm just not sleeping through the whole night, like I usually
do.  )   Some areas of the brain can produce different symptoms, but also
have different aids to reduce disruptions from seizures.
4) There's a 'mouth guard' you can get made by your Dentist (or I can tell
you about a cheaper version) if there's any risk of tongue or tooth damage
during the night. (Your Dr. should have also mentioned that if there was a
risk.)  Most common symptom if you were grinding your teeth would be mouth
pains or headaches when you first wake up.
5) Are there any Other changes you've had over last 3? months that might
have affected your tendency to have more seizures?   Things I was thinking
of might include Vaccinations,  Head or Chest colds that might weaken you,
other mental or physical stress that you might not have thought could make
you more prone?     Just wondered.   G./

Welcome to the ng Jenn.  I don't have seizures at night, but I have tonic
clonic seizures.  It has been over 9 years since my last seizure.  I pay
really close attention to how I am feeling and make sure I rest when I start
to feel like I could have a seiuzre.  I also watch what I eat.  MSG is
something that was a big factor in triggering my seizures.  I also stay away
from flashy things.  The other night my husband took me to a movie that really
had alot of flashy things on the screen, it was also rather violent.  During
the flashy stuff I put my head down and closed my eyes.  We were joking that
people were probably thinking I was bowing my head and praying for the
"sinful" people watching all the violence ;-)

Regarding your experience with seizures and fear - I recall a feeling of
extreme fear, but that is usually because I felt like I had no control.  After
the seizure I always went to bed and slept.

Gordon mentioned the question of whether or not you had a cold.  You need to
be careful about over the counter medications because they can lower your
seizure threshhold.  My doctor told me if I have a cold, just drink lots of
liquids and get plenty of rest and don't worry about my nose running.  In
other words, don't take any of that stuff they give you over the counter, I'll
get over my cold in due time.

Take care,
Julie

I feel fear and/or dread with my seizures more often than not. For
days, sometimes weeks.

Did he order a couple of tests like EEG and MRI scans, etc? What were the
results of that?

That certainly is great news but from your posting it "looks/sounds" like
the neurologist did not order some EEG tests, etc. My understanding is that
he should do that as soon as possible to get the proper diagnose for your
specific situation. With the outcome of these tests, you know what to watch
out for as an escape route.

After the diagnose has been made with good news /bad news, you can start
acting to take control of your live again like getting the proper
information required to change some behavioral patterns including the
ability to drive / drinking alcohol / avoiding lack of sleep, etc. I know
Gaross has loads of good Internet sites to share and I am sure he will
redirect you asap! You may also need to take some medication and yes, that
sucks because as with every medication: these have some potential side
effects. Hopefully in your case (as happened in my case), you will have
full control of your seizures with a real low dose of medications your body
can absorb easily.

I do not have these kind of feeligns as I had one tonic clonic seizure in
February though I have a history of epilepsy in childhood. I now take
Depakene 1000 mg per day and I have no side effects / no seizures anymore.
I also did not have to change job, change the way I live, etc., etc.

The feelings of fear I had were a direct results of the fear that I was
loosing control of my live.

To summarize:
1. getting the proper diagnose;
2. getting the information
3. start making some behavioral changes like avoiding stressfull
situations, for persons with photosensitivity: avoid everything that
triggers a seizure (get yourself a plasmascreen, avoid going to 3D movies,
etc.), avoid drinking alcohol, avoid situation with "lack of sleep", etc.,
etc.

These intense feelings you are having may be a result of a seizure /aura
that occur in a specific part of your brain (simple partial). I would
suggest you go back to your neurologist requesting him to order a couple of
good tests. It is too early to state that this is a one time occurence and
it is also too early to say that you can drive again.

You found the right place Jenn -within this group there are loads of
persons that share the same experience you are dealing with right now.

For me: the persons in this group supported me very well around February
and after that and the way I took control over my live again was to make
sure I knew exactly what a seizure disorder was by buying myself a couple
of books and reading through all these posts in this newsgroup / posting
specific questions in this newsgroup.

 This is as good a spot as any to Paste an Olde Post I do from time to
time, that lists about 5 Websites and short book report about what they are.
You might find Julie's First Aid for Seizures sites of interest or comfort,
since they explain (for others) what to do -- one on Land, another in Water,
to help others feel more comfortable with us.
  Also within the Older First Aid site, I think it describes Behaviours
specific to some of the more common seizure types, so some of you might
recognize what others witness vs. what it describes there of interest.

  I found a few people here, over the years, might be told 'you have
epilepsy', without a lot of information about what the symptoms might be
like for Friends or Family who want to help, or what they should do or Not
do during our events.   Julie's Idaho First Aid site is as good as you'll
need, and in a form you can print for Family or Co-workers.

   The EFA site is the main U.S. Foundation site (Ep. Foundation of
America) and has a Medications Glossary for those who aren't given much
detail on particular medications or possible side effects to watch for.
   Howdy Dave had his site since just after 'Moses' set his one up....
Although he has a lot of useful information on the Vagus Nerve Stimulator,
that he researched at the time, he's also added his own information and
detail that he uncovered while he was learning to deal with this stuff.
This version (below) doesn't **have Dave's sites listed.

 I'll look for them (unless someone else has the Main Entrance address
while I look it up).   I should know it by now, but Right Temporal Lobe
things don't give me that luxury...
  So for those who are New or haven't seen these, here's some More Sites
that will save you having to De-google them on your own -->  G./
**********
There are a number of sites around the group that get posted from time to
time.  Some of the symptoms (at bottom) that you might see, might be
displayed on one of the First Aid for Seizures Websites below -- likely to
first 'seizure' one.   If you look down the first aid chart, I think it
shows 3 or 4 main types of seizures down one column, then the types of
things that can be done.
  Under the Symptoms or Sensations columns are the types of  'aura' or
sensation that might be specific to a particular seizure type.   That is
usually used by a Doctor at first to identify possible location where the
seizure is Launching From.  Then further tests (EEG, MRI, CT)  might look at
more detailed internals.
  For *your use, all you likely need is the chart, and the Symptoms with
the First Aid for whichever type most closely matches what he has.
  NOTE - within Julie's Idaho Main website, and on Howdy Dave's there are
links to the Ep. Foundation of America that has a Medications Glossary and
more detail on specific seizure types that you can search out at your own
pace. I also included the one entrance at bottom below.
  Also some of the minor seizures that don't result in loss of
consciousness, might be grouped under either 'absences' (if a person appears
to 'zone out' for short periods),  or simple partials (that might just
include an Aura then a return to normal.   *If someone has been having these
for a long time, these *might seem like the New Normal for them so they may
not be Aware that those are an Aura.  OR they might prefer to 'not see them'
for what they are.  //

 Each of the sites can be put on a Bookmark or Favourite so that you can
then refer back to see if there are updates without needing to remember the
www address each time. hth. G.R.
**********
 For anyone who hasn't seen these already -->
The General Site that Julie operates for Epilepsy Idaho group is at:
http://www.epilepsyidaho.org .

The 'First Aid chart' I frequently refer to can be located by entering and
wandering about site above, but can be reached direct at
http://www.epilepsyidaho.org/seizure.htm  .
 There's a Second topic added, that goes more into First
Aid in Water, on Aircraft, etc.  It's at
http://www.epilepsyidaho.org/seizure2.htm  .

 Also accessible from top site, but more detail on Learning about Epilepsy
can be found at http://www.epilepsyidaho/learn.htm   .  That one has quite a
few more links, information on kids newly diagnosed? (I think) and general
questions that others might ask, or those newly diagnosed.

  If there's no link there to a Medications Glossary, the Ep. Foundation of
America has one (of several)  within http://efa.org   .        G./

Dave has remodelled his site (a lot) since I was last there.  But the
section on the VNS etc. look like they've been expanded and improved for
those who have recently posted looking for more information.
 I had to tinker a bit with moving about some of the site at the beginning,
but that might be just my Mouse tracks or not using the link that I was
intended to at the start.
  One site I used to use to get to the Main Doorway of his site is at -->
http://www.howdydave.com/
  The one Specific to the Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) can be found from
above and down the site or via -->
http://www.howdydave.com/vns.html/#index   .   (I hope that's copied right,
and it's likely Copyrighted etc. to Dave for all the work he did on it.  )

  Note too that there's a fair bit of testing that is used to assess if
someone is a candidate for a VNS, whether it would help their type of
seizure and other considerations.  I think Dave has dedicated a large amount
of effort to try convey the sorts of things that might be considered as
testing proceeds and when it might or might not be appropriate.
   Someone should consider contacting the Ep. Foundation of America to see
if they hand out Prizes or Cash or something, for some of these sites we're
getting.   Between his one and Julie's Idaho sites we're getting some pretty
useful sites for people newly diagnosed and with both Early and Late onset
types of seizures.  And both Julie and Dave have spent a Large part of the
last ~6 or more years putting these things together.     Time Flies when
you're having fun...   :->    G.