OpenHealth Q&A

29-Year-Old Woman Experiences Two Seizures Seven Years Apart

Hey there, I’m a 29-year-old female and I experienced my second seizure a few weeks ago on August 13th. I'm reaching out for some insights and suggestions as I prepare for my upcoming appointment with a new neurologist and get ready to return to work. First, let me recap the events of August 13th. The night before, I only managed to get about three to four hours of sleep and had a demanding 11-hour workday. After picking up dinner, I walked home for around 20 minutes. Once I arrived, my roommate and I spent about half an hour discussing our day. After that conversation, things get a bit hazy for me. My roommate described how I suddenly “froze” mid-sentence, turned pale, and then collapsed. I struck the back left side of my head on the kitchen floor, during which time I convulsed for what he estimated to be a few minutes. When I regained consciousness, I was disoriented and lethargic — I can’t recall any of this, so I'm relying on my roommate's account. A friend who was nearby helped take me to the hospital, and my memories started to return once we were at the hospital. I spent about 14 hours there for observation, connected to a monitor, where they performed comprehensive blood tests and a CT scan, all of which yielded normal results. The ER physician suggested that stress and exhaustion were likely culprits. I was then referred to see a neurologist, scheduled for September 22nd, and I also have a sleep-deprived EEG lined up for the same week. The following week, I visited my primary care doctor since I had sustained a neck injury and had experienced a significant concussion. He conducted additional blood tests (which also came back clear) and recommended I see my chiropractor, begin physiotherapy, and undergo vision assessments due to persistent headaches and increased light sensitivity. I have taken time off work to recover. Thankfully, the symptoms related to the concussion have improved; however, I still face challenges such as pain, headaches, and vision issues. To aid my recovery, I’m seeing my chiropractor every two weeks, have consulted an osteopath, received massages, and started physiotherapy. I’m making an effort to keep up with stretching, regular walks, and prioritizing rest. Also, I’ve resumed counseling as this whole ordeal has triggered quite a bit of anxiety, and I know I still need to work on my stress management. Last week I began comprehensive vision testing (the second part is this week) and already have a new, more potent glasses prescription along with red-tinted lenses to help with light sensitivity (previously, I had been wearing yellow protective lenses, which reduced my migraines from multiple times a week to a manageable 2-3 months). I’m hoping to go back to work by the end of this month once I've completed my vision assessments and had a chance to discuss everything with my physician so I can identify any necessary workplace accommodations, considering a significant portion of my job involves computer work. I’ve noticed changes in my cognitive function and memory, so I’m contemplating asking for an audio recorder for note-taking during meetings, non-fluorescent lighting in my office, glare filters for my screens, and an ergonomic assessment of my workspace. For additional context: I’m 29 years old, standing 5’4” and weighing 145 pounds. I lead an active lifestyle, walking between 5 to 10 kilometers daily while also participating in yoga, pilates, and weight training (which I’m currently avoiding during recovery). I do not consume alcohol or any illicit substances. I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (managed with Synthroid) and ADHD (treated with Vyvanse). I have a long history of migraines, which I’ve battled since childhood, with their severity peaking around 2019 when my TMJ issues were at their worst, causing weekly migraines. The main recommendation for relieving my TMJ pain was to reduce stress, which has been successfully addressed since switching jobs two years ago, significantly improving my symptoms. My migraines persisted until last fall when an eye infection led me to realize how sensitive I had become to light. After adopting yellow-tinted glasses, my migraines diminished greatly. As for my first seizure in December 2018, it happened late at night while I was in bed, so there were no witnesses. I had just returned home from a trip and was preparing for another; the stress levels were high and my sleep was limited. Having never experienced a seizure before, I was uncertain about what had happened until I spoke about it with my parents the next morning. They organized an emergency appointment with my doctor, which confirmed it was likely a seizure and resulted in a hospital visit for testing. A CT scan and blood tests returned normal results, and like the second encounter, I was eventually referred to a neurologist. Following that, my journey had its ups and downs — my original neurologist was dismissed before I could meet them, and the pandemic introduced further delays. From 2020 to 2024, I met with a neurologist annually and underwent additional testing, including an MRI, EEG, and sleep-deprived EEG, all of which returned normal results. Given that I had only experienced one seizure, my neurologist concluded it was mainly stress-related and, in October 2024, released me from their care.

Answers (1)

9/9/2025, 12:40:57 AM

OpenHealth AI

It’s understandable to feel concerned after experiencing seizures, especially with two occurring several years apart. You are taking proactive steps by seeking medical care and considering workplace accommodations, which is essential for your recovery and well-being. Here’s a structured plan you can follow as you prepare for your upcoming appointments and continue managing your health.

Key Points:

1. Seizure Triggers: Stress, lack of sleep, and possibly other factors may have contributed to your recent seizures.
2. Preparation for Neurologist Visit: You have several important tests scheduled, and gathering information will be helpful.
3. Coping Strategies: Continue managing stress, and address cognitive and visual challenges effectively.

Explanation:

Given your history and the recent events surrounding your seizures, it’s crucial to identify potential triggers, as managing these may help prevent future incidents. The link between stress, lack of sleep, and seizures has been documented, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

Prioritized Next Steps:

1. Document All Symptoms:

   • Keep a detailed record of any symptoms you notice leading up to or following the seizures, including sleep patterns, stress levels, diet, and any other changes. Bring this information to your neurologist appointment to assist them in understanding your situation better.

2. Implement Stress Management Techniques:

   • Continue your counseling sessions and consider incorporating mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle yoga, which can aid in stress relief.

3. Workplace Accommodations:

   • Prepare to discuss your proposed accommodations with your employer. Consider writing down your three main requests (audio recorder for meetings, non-fluorescent lighting, and glare filters) and bringing any supporting documents from your healthcare providers.

4. Monitor Your Sleep and Rest:

   • Aim to establish a calming nighttime routine that ensures adequate sleep, ideally 7-8 hours. Limit screen time before bed, and create a restful sleeping environment.

5. Stay Active Within Limits:

   • Maintain light physical activity as tolerated (like walking), but avoid intense physical exercises that could risk falling or injury while you recover from your concussion.

6. Follow Up on Vision Health:

   • Complete your vision assessments and discuss any findings with your doctor. Ensure that your vision corrections are suitable for your work, as this may significantly reduce your headaches and light sensitivity.

Additional Considerations:

• You might want to evaluate your medication regimen in relation to your current symptoms and discuss this with your physician as it relates to your ADHD treatments in the context of cognitive changes.
• Engage in healthy lifestyle choices—adequate hydration, balanced nutrition, and regular but gentle physical activity will support your recovery process.

It’s great to hear you have a supportive health care team and that you're taking these steps. Don't hesitate to ask your healthcare professionals about anything that seems unclear during your appointments. They are there to help guide you through this process. Let me know if you have further questions!