Epilepsy and ANesthesia

allnurses Guide · Jan 29, 2006

That is a great question - looking forward to the answers.

I have had 2 seizures.

steph

bulletproofbarb · Jan 29, 2006

Actually, the reason I ask is because I have epilepsy and take lamictal diamox and clobazam. I have Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy and am due to have my gall bladder out.

Some artcles I have read that some anesthetics can cause seizures and some don't. I'm confused and scared.

I'll be in the hospital I work at so don't want to make a tit of myself!!

Anyway, if I find out the answer before someone responds, I'll post back to let you know.

allnurses Guide · Jan 30, 2006

Barb - have you asked your doc? Or maybe gone to talk to the pharmacist where you work?

Let me know - I may be having a surgical procedure sometime this year.

steph

bulletproofbarb · Jan 30, 2006

Nope haven't spoken to anyone yet, awaiting reply from epilepsy doctor and nurse...I sent an email yesterday.

duli03 · Jan 30, 2006

Trying to find out about the effects of anesthesia in people taking anticonvulsants when they have general surgery...not surgery for epilepsy.
Do these patients have an incresed risk of seizures, do they get confusion and take longer to wake up than those not on antiepileptic therapy?
Thanks,

I don't think it will increase the risk of seizure, I currently work at a facility where we do long term EMU monitoring and we do siscom (a procedure that involves injecting an isotope during seizure) following injection the patient goes to MRI/Nuclear medicine for a brain scan, on occasion we have to put the patient under general anesthesia to keep these patients still so we can get a good image of the brain and pinpoint the focal point of the seizure.

allnurses Guide · Jan 30, 2006

I don't think it will increase the risk of seizure, I currently work at a facility where we do long term EMU monitoring and we do siscom (a procedure that involves injecting an isotope during seizure) following injection the patient goes to MRI/Nuclear medicine for a brain scan, on occasion we have to put the patient under general anesthesia to keep these patients still so we can get a good image of the brain and pinpoint the focal point of the seizure.

Wow, that is interesting. This must be for folks who have alot of seizures so you can plan for a brain scan during the seizure.

I've had two, 6 months apart and none now for two years.

Had two eeg's and two mri's. Found nothing wrong.

steph

duli03 · Jan 30, 2006

Wow, that is interesting. This must be for folks who have alot of seizures so you can plan for a brain scan during the seizure.
I've had two, 6 months apart and none now for two years.
Had two eeg's and two mri's. Found nothing wrong.
steph

We are usually the last place people go (Mayo clinic), we start by weaning people of the anti-epileptic drugs, we sleep deprive, photo stimulate, hyperventilate and exercise the patient in hopes of a seizure, patients sometimes stay well over a week. Some patients have grids/electrodes placed directly on the brain (surgery).

jwk · Feb 1, 2006

Nope haven't spoken to anyone yet, awaiting reply from epilepsy doctor and nurse...I sent an email yesterday.

We put people to sleep with seizure disorders all the time. Tell your anesthesia provider. It's not really a big deal at all if we know about it.

bulletproofbarb · Feb 2, 2006

Thanks,

I was told that Pethidine and Tramadol lower seizure threshold. I'm still scared, but trying not to stress.

jwk · Feb 2, 2006

Thanks,
I was told that Pethidine and Tramadol lower seizure threshold. I'm still scared, but trying not to stress.

Those drugs are rarely used by anesthesia providers in the US. Both of the common induction agents (pentothal and propofol) are fine with seizure patients.

bulletproofbarb · Feb 9, 2006

Thanks. I am going in on Sunday afternoon, having the op Monday. I will see the Anesthetist Sunday as I have acidosis from Diamox used to treat my seizures (the myoclonic ones).