Typically, following a grand mal seizure, Bryan would experience intense nausea and profuse vomiting. Not only were the seizures themselves severe in nature, but the after effects were as well. While the partial complex seizure activity was somewhat tolerable - the grand mal seizures were not. Instead, we were extremely disappointed as Bryan proceeded to experience a series of serious tonic clonic seizures and intermittent partial complex seizures. We all hoped the medication change would bring positive results. After two years of partial complex seizure activity Bryan’s doctors’ decided to change his medication. Our Family’s Storyīryan, my 16-year-old son, and I know the anxiety associated with nocturnal seizures all too well. So it seems that for many epilepsy patients there develops a cycle: fear of nighttime seizures = insufficient sleep = increased seizure activity. And because SUDEP typically happens at night, anxiety and fear of being alone and helpless during a nocturnal seizure may compromise sleep quality in patients with epilepsy, thus increasing the likelihood of seizure activity.

While that statistic is fortunately low, it holds a place of prominence in the minds of many patients and their families.

However, research shows that frequency of occurrence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) ranges from approximately 1 in every 3000 patients per year, depending in part on seizure severity and frequency. Physicians are often reluctant to discuss with patients and their families the possibility that people with epilepsy can die unexpectedly. “What if a seizure happens tonight? What if no one is there to help?” Whether you are patient or caregiver, the fear of nocturnal seizures can be intensely disturbing. As nighttime approaches your heart beats faster as your anxiety level rises.

Seizure in sleep