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My mom had no hx of seizures, was in mild stage Alz. 2 major seizures later she was unconcious for 2 days and woke up in moderate stage. Got some memory back but home functioning was hit bad. She can't dial phone, left burner on etc. I was a medical professional and I understand the pathology, but as a daughter, I have lost about 6 months or more of my mild stage mother! I am so sad for this. If your alzheimer person has had seizures, could you please describe what happened, especially if you have seen it from beginning to end. Thank you, Karen

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I'm so sorry for you! You really have missed a special time with your mom. My dad was sent into instant dementia by a failed surgery, so I have a little feel for your situation. It just hits you in the gut - and heart.

I haven't seen the seizure problem with Alzheimer's, bu I'm kicking your question to the top of the list so if anyone else has experienced seizures with Alzheimer's, they can respond.
Take care of yourself,
Carol
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My mom had several convulsive seizures 2 weeks after we increased the dose of Aricept from 5 mg to 10mg. The side effects of some of the drugs treating Alhziemers drugs are seizures, among other things. So, I attribute her seizures to the aricept from 5mg to 10mg. This episode prompted hospitalization, breathing tube, (they had to sedate her so much to stop the seizures) but then in two days, she breathed on her own. She was placed on dilantin (a seizure medicine) and when she came home, I brought her to a neurologist who felt more comfortable with using Lamictal as an antiseizure medicine. We slowly increased her dose of the Lamiictal, lowered the dose of aricept back to 5mg. and she has not had a seizure since. We have also increased her dose of aricept after acheiving a therapeutiic lblood level of Lamictal in her body to protect her. So, in summary, get your mom to a neurologist. She must be on medication for seizures. Look at all the side effects of the drugs that she is taking and see if seizures are a side effect. You won't know what really caused the seizures. There is an increased risk of seizures with Alzheimers for sure according to the doc. But, with the right meds, she shouldn't have another.. In the meantime, do what you can with health aids, family, etc, to help her to move her body, identify objects, etc, read. She perhaps can recover some faculties that were injured that is unrelated to Alzheimers, but caused by seizures. Also, if you feel she is not benefiting from any Alzheimers drugs(like Excelon, Aricept, Namenda), gradually get her off the drugs with the help of your doc and decrease her risk of seizures that way. I send my blessings .
-Helen
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It is very important for folks with Alzheimers disease to see a neurologist, because they can have seizures. The brain is basically atrophing, and so it is possible. I am so sorry this is happening, please take care and know you are in our thoughts.
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are seizures related as common pathology to developing alzheimers. I know it raises the risks for early dementia and my husband has had seizures for a long time but he has recent bad reaction to his dilantin but his neuro won't prescribe new meds until his eeg. He also had a stroke in '09 that left him hemiplegiac. He doesn't have ALS but he has fluid on the lungs with possible granuloma which they can't do surgery for to excised for biopsy. He also has osteo arthritis and heart decorcation of some kind. He would of had the surgery if his weight loss wasn't so dramatic. I feel as tho nothing locked down and permanently diagnosed correctly. I have caregiver help and getting paid to look after him. If anyone can give me more info on Alzheimers linked with some of the symptoms that I have mention would appreciate the info.
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Thanks everyone for being so helpful. We do have her on Lamictal and seems to be doing well. Karen
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My mother just had a second seizure, I'm not sure of the seizure medication. What stage of alzheimers can she be in?
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Yes seizures can be a part of Alzheimer's disease. Not everyone with alzheimer's disease has them but they sure can, because it does effect the brain. That is one of the reasons for seeing a neurologist. I know this is hard... please take care...
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I just experienced this with my mother this past sunday. We were sitting on the porch talking and she had what the doctor told us was a partial seizure. The neurologist said that people with alzheimer's are at a higher risk of seizure. All the tests were done and she was then started on Depakote. I have brought her back home, but you can tell she has more memory deficit. It is hard to watch this, thinking it can't get much worse. I know the progression goes on and now I am scouring the internet trying to learn as much as possible. Your story showed me that I am not alone. Denise 9-20-2012
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My mom had dementia that was the result of repeated seizures. She reacted well to seizure meds at first, but over 15 years or so they became progressively worse. I will say that immediately after a bad seizure, she was often unconsciousnfor a day or two. When she did come around, her memory was non-existent and she hallucinated. But two weeks or so later, she would have rebounded and be almost back. The sad thing was each one took a little more out of her. It was rough.
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My mother has been in nursing care for 9 years and is in the late stages of Alzheimers & just this week was hospitalized due to seizures. Tests show her brain is condusive of the stage she is in, but she also failed the the swallow test. What does this mean and does this indicate she is in her last days?
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My mother is 76 yrs old, in the late stages of Alzheimer's/vascular dementis. The only medication that she takes is Synthroid (her thyroid gland was treated with radiactive isotope back in the 70's) and a coated aspirin, 325 mg. for blood flow. She had her first seizure, diagnosed as a non-epiletic seizure of the tonic-clonic variety. She gave a strangled cry out went rigid and stopped breathing for more then a minute. Directly afterwards, she went into a deep REM sleep, snoring loudly. She was disoriented but knew her name once she came around. 13 weeks later, she had another and another followed 8 wks later. I am hesitant to put her on Keppra for seizure control as the seizures are far enough apart that they do not justify inviting all of the physiological and mental side effects that may accompanying it. I care for her at home and my reasoning is this: There is no cure for her progressive dementia. On a daily basis, she is manageable and docile. She does not suffer from any physical ailment, all organs are functioning normally. by electing seizure intervention by means of drugs would be compounding problems and inviting issues that do not presently exist. If the seizures are symptom of her brain disease nothing will halt the progression, only temporarily mask the symptom for my own convenience. Preventing her from injury when she goes into a seizure is my primary goal. If she should pass away during a seizure episode then so be it, I do not wish to keep her alive for my own emotional reasons and in the process force her to endure more suffering. I do not wish to see her, eventually, in a vegetative state. There are no concrete answers in regards to Alzheimer's/dementia, there are no quick fixes, no guarantees..the only thing that is certain is that it eventually kills its victims, one way or another. She will die at home in the arms of her family is possible as opposed to a medical facility under the care of strangers. The quality of her remaining days is our focus. The way I see it, love and comfort are the best medicines at this point in her decline.
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Seizures are indeed part of Alzheimer's disease that is why it is SO important for folks to be seen but a neurologist. Someone who has Alzheimer's disease literally has a brain that is shrinking. I do agree and understand you wanting to keep her home I would encourage you to think about having her seen by a neurologist so she can be treated for the seizure. They will understand that you want to keep her home. Keeping her comfortable is VERY important!
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I did take her to a neurologist. They did an EKG while she was sitting up. She fell asleeps and started snoring. The snoring/Apnea caused spikes on the read out as I watched it. The tech did not point this out to the Dr. who read the snore/gasps spikes as abnormal. I had to explain the details.They did suggest Keppra as a means to stave off the seizures. They also wanted to do a 24 hour study under my supervision from my home..near impossible with most dementia/Alzheimer's patients to keep thier hands from fidgeting and pulling off whatever is attached to thier bodies..when I pointed this out, it was dropped. Beyond loading her up with meds at this point or extreme surgery I fail to see the benefits of a nuero at this stage in her illness beyond her becoming a documented guinea pig for others in the future. Organ failure is almost certain towards the end stages..what then? At what point do you suggest I stand back, come to terms with our mortality and let nature take its course? Artificial life-support?..Not happening here. Thanks for the advice, Jaye, but please understand that the right to die with dignity is a legitimate concept.
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Oh please believe me I do understand that... I was not trying to sound at all critical of that! Perhaps if you call the neurologist who saw her they would be willing to do something just as a palliative or comfort measure. I do think that we have to accept the inevitable... I have cared for my Grandparents and my Father and I know you want her to be comfortable. take care, Jaye
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I am caregiver to a young 59 woman, who has severe alzheimers. Yesterday she had a gran mal seizure, and it has affected her memory and normal functions. I watched her not breath and she turned blue, she was dead for at least a minute. I proceeded to place her on the floor on her side, at which point i had to administer CPR (Chest compressions). She is oblivious to what happened and has a hard time understanding basic commands. This was by far the scariest moment in my life, watching someone almost die.
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My mom has been battling this horrible disease for 12 years. Last 5 have had to be in a facility and not that bad but last 3 due to falls have not been good. As of yesterday no seizures her whole life until this morning with a wake up call from facility. She has had 2 today. I have been researching and am a little more calm now that I have found that it is something that sometimes happens with dementia/Alzheimer's patients. It's hard to see and know that it's happening but at least I know it's somewhat "normal". She has been with hospice for the last year. Hope this helped somewhat. I pray for all the caregivers and caretakers every day.
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My mother-in-law went through a string of seizures several times and pulled through but each time her quality of life got worse. Seizures took her in the end. She was more than "ready" so I was grateful that the last one was, well, her last one. I was sad to lose her but she and I both knew that her quality of life was gone. Blessings. This is so hard to watch.
Carol
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Thank you so much Carol. I have taken care of both my mother and father in law, now deceased and although my father who is 92 lives independently, I do watch over him and am on doctor/nurse patrol. I watched my mom take care of her mother who had dementia along with my dad taking care of my mom until his heart attack 5 years ago. As you said it is very sad to see their quality of life go from vibrant and loving to almost vegitative. At least she still knows my father and myself which is sometimes even harder knowing I can't do a darn thing except just sit there with her. I have been very Blessed to have had her as my mother and my friend. Thanks for your reply.
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I have beenhaving seizures for a long time did not know that what it was untill this year I went had a eeg done wastold I have them in the meroy part of my brain I am afraidi will get alzheimers from them can that happen im really sad I dont want to forget my family or children im only 51, thank you
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My mom in late stage now, started with seizures about 4 years ago. Neurologist said it's due to the brain degeneration and prescribed her anti-seizures. Every time she has a UTI she seems to have an episode. Medicine helps but keeps her drugged up. This illness consumes me with guilt in all stages.
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