I am 39 years old and I have never had a history of seizures. However, 3 months ago I had a really bad one and was told today by my neurologist that I have epilepsy because of seizure like activity that showed up on two EEGs. On my first visit with him, he told me that the extremely bad sinus infection that I had not been treated for could only be a trigger not the cause of a seizure, especially in people who have epilepsy. I had an EEG and a CT scan performed on me when I was about 18 years old and there was nothing abnormal at that time. The reason for the checks when I was 18 was because I was having sharp pains in the right side of my head, which I called headaches. However, about 8 years ago, I was checked by a Dr who told me that these headaches were probably due to ear problems. These headaches, as I call them, have been persistent everyday for the last 20+ years with the exception of when I had a tooth extracted and the dentist gave me a shot of Lidocaine in my upper left jaw area. My question for you is this: can a person develop epilepsy overnight at age 40? Could the 2 EEG results showing seizure like activity be something other than epilepsy?
Hello dear, welcome to Chat Doctor. Late onset epilepsy is a distinct entity. All your doctors were right in their management as per the prevalent presentations. These 2 EEG's if reported to show seizures, well then, you had them and need evaluation shave you have been advised fresh brain imaging?how are you now?hope you get well soon. Do not neglect medical advice on this issue. Good luck will be happy to get feedback. Thanks.