Question:
Anyone experience a siezure post op?

I had my gastric bypass surgery about four years ago. It was extremely successful and I lost all excess body fat going from a size 24 to a 4 and eliminating diabetes and high blood pressure. I have never really had any complications other than a marginal ulcer and have been the picture of health. Two weeks ago I had a gran mal seizure. Actually, severe enough that I stopped breathing. I was lucky that a co-worker of mine used to be an EMT and knew what to do until the ambulance got here. I have no history of siezures and neither does anyone in my family. I have had a CAT SCAN, MRI and EEG all have come back with no answers. Which leads me to explore if this could have been WLS surgery related rather than neurological. Has anyone ever heard of anyone else experiencing this?    — Linda A. (posted on November 27, 2006)

November 27, 2006
Linda, My name is Dana Estrada and I had Gastric Bypass Surgery 3-6-00 in June 2005 I started having Seizures as well with no family history and no known cause. I am currently on 5 medications 3 times a day so I do not have anymore. I do not drink or smoke and I am 37 years old. My Neuro Dr. said the stomach and brain are seperate and thus would not have anything to do with Seizures and I may have had this problem regardless? I am on disability lost my job of 6 years due to this issue. Lost my DL and it has been very hard. I was having them 3-4 times a week lasting 1-8 minutes. My medication runs $900.00 a month and I have no insurance because no one will insure me? My Disability ends in Jan because they are now considered CONTROLLED with 5 medications daily. I hope your issue was a one time deal for you. I am curious to see who else comes out with these issues? Take care , Dana Estrada
   — DanaDee1969

November 27, 2006
Linda I thik I would ask your neuroligist or PCP about a problem with your electrolytes, especially sodium and potassium levels. I have a seizure disorder, had a bariatric procedure about 25 yrs ago and had no problems til about 10 years ago with seizures. Each time I get dehydrated, even slightly, from colds, flu, heat whatever.......it lowers my seizure threshold. In the summer and cold and flu season I was told to keep Pedialyte and Gatorade in the house at all times for this very reason. Water is not enough when the electrolytes become unbalanced. I know that water and fluids are 100 times more important after bypass or any bariatric procedure. But even with no previous seizure activity dehydration can bring on seizures if left untreated. My EEG's, MRI, CT scans and all neurological testing have all been negative. Even during the post-ichtal stage of a grand mal that lasted over 30 minutes. For 6 months after that big one I had impaired speech, and for well over 2 years no sense of taste or smell. Not good.
   — Wings In Waiting

November 27, 2006
Have you had Bvites levels checked? B12, B1, B6? Where are those levels? Good luck with finding answers . . .
   — rayehawk

November 27, 2006
I can truly sympathize with you. I had a proximal RNY on 10/31/00 and lost 140 pounds. 3 years ago, I had a seizure while at work. It was definetely scary since I have no family history of seizure's at all. This happened at work. How embarrasing. Anyway, they ran a bunch of tests and have found no cause. However, my Blood sugar was 38 and as soon as they shot me with glucose, I came out of the seizure. So now I am hypoglycemic (where before surgery, I was insulant resistant and on the verge of diabetes). I also had an episode where I passed out in the grocery store due to low blood sugar. I now know how to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar and am able to catch it in time, but I am always petrified of having another seizure. Perhaps where you were diabetic prior to surgery, you may be hypoglycemic now? Just some insight. Maybe you can suggest this to your doctor. Read my profile for more. Good luck to you Erin
   — enjo4

November 27, 2006
Hi Linda..... I would have to say that unless you had some really abnormal electrolyte levels from the surgery, it is unrelated. I work in the ER and have seen it many times where someone will develop seizures for the first time without any personal or family history of them. It is just something that happens. It can be controlled with as little as one medication (usually that is what they start you on) and then if you are seizure free in 6 months, they evaluate weaning you off of them. Then there are stories like Dana's, but I would have to say that hers is the exception. So take care, do what they recommend and good luck to you. And, most of all, congrats on that awsome weight loss. Wow - a size 24 to a 4..... inspiring....
   — Kari_K

November 27, 2006
Ive had the RNY Gastric Bypass 07/20/06 and have not had any problems. A friend of mine had hers done 5 years and had no problems but her cousin had problems with seizures. I had heard that it was low on protein and also heard the all the vitamin B vitamins are important
   — Kathleen Robinson

November 28, 2006
Linda, I too am two yrs post op ( Dec. ) I was on dissabillity when I had my surgery, but now they have taken my insurance they said my husband makes to much money (ha ha ha) anyway in Oct. 2005 I began to have seizures as well, no reason or anything I take 7 pills a day ( just for the seizures.) I understand the med. cost. Try contacting aszra zenica and they will help you with the cost of your meds. I now receive mine free. there has never been a seizer for me until last year and it too was a gran mal, if I miss the meds for more than 3 days I will go back into seizures. Good Luck and God Bless. Lady-K. 401/250/still trying
   — lady-k