Payton's battle with PDE...seizure types

Hi everyone.  This is kind of a serious post today.  I had an "episode" recently where I fainted.  After I was just starting to come out of a seizure, I completely passed out in my mom's arms, limp as a wet noodle.  I scared her and my Gammy.  For a split second they thought I might have died, but quickly realized I was still breathing.  Once I woke up, I was completely fine.  I don't know what all the fuss is about, but mom was nervous and didn't know what happened so she contacted Dr. Podell, who has ordered some heart related tests at my local vet.  I'll be going in for an appointment later today to finally get my stitches removed and for thoracic radiographs.  He also wants me to get a screening ECG, but my local vet doesn't do that, so I may need to see the cardiologist in the same specialty center where Dr. Podell works.  All of this reminded my mom that she's never really dedicated a post to the kinds of seizures that I have.  So I said she could take over the blog for 10 treats and a new toy.  And don't worry, I'm holding her to it!

Hi everyone!  Christy here.  Unfortunately, Payton has now added a new kind of seizure to her repertoire, bringing the total variations up to 3.  I've briefly mentioned 2 of them in previous posts, but feel that I should take the time to describe each in more detail so the information is available.  But please don't be alarmed...

...Payton is doing GREAT!  Even despite her recent fainting episode (although we'd sure appreciate your thoughts and prayers that there isn't anything serious that may have been the cause). 

The first kind of seizure that Payton experienced didn't have a trigger outside of the disease itself.  These were sometimes mild focal seizures (twitching or muscle spasms) in the face or legs and usually progressed to full body convulsions/tremors with foaming at the mouth.  There were the kind of seizures she had at the beginning and during 2 or 3 relapses when the disease had progressed and her medications needed to be modified.  The focal seizures are constant, but the full body seizures usually last about 30 seconds to a full minute and cluster in groups and get worse or repeat every so often without medical intervention.  This is when we've had to give her Diazapam and rush her to the vet.  I am so happy to say that Payton hasn't had one of these in a really long time.

About a year and a half to two years ago, Payton developed what we call "bathroom" seizures.  These have been occurring about once every week or two after or just before Payton has to eliminate.  They are full body seizures that start mild then turn severe with her front legs stiff, back legs kicking/pulsing, and her head leaning to the right with a left eye twitch (although rarely she has leaned toward the left with a right eye twitch since the disease has progressed to both sides of her brain).  Dr. Podell has explained that most likely the part of the brain that controls bathroom processes is impaired and gets "irritated" triggering a seizure if she is concentrating too hard.  And since Payton is always trying to find the best spot, sometimes she does get a bit too focused.  And for some reason, the cold makes these worse and occur more often (hence the need for her Porch Potty and finished garage).  This is something that Payton will have to live with.

Lastly, and most recently (like only a couple of months ago), she has started having what we now call "excited" seizures.  Payton has only had a handful of these and they seem to be triggered when she gets, well, super excited.  Like when she is hyped with anticipation just before a meal time combined with the thrill of dad coming home or Gammy stopping by for a visit.  She gets herself all worked up, jumping and kissing/licking, to the point where her breathing becomes labored triggering a short (about only 10 to 20 seconds) and more mild seizure with all legs straight and her head thrown back and pressed to the left.  This is the kind of seizure that Payton had when she seemed to pass out.  As Payton said, she'll have some tests done, and we'll be seeing Dr. Podell around the New Year so we can talk in detail about what may be going on.  In the mean time, we are now being very careful about when my husband or I come home or family and friends visit.

I should say that with all kinds of seizures, Payton seems to be conscious, but I must admit it is kinda hard to tell with the really intense ones.  And as to be expected, the more she has the more she is impacted long term with poor to non-existent hearing and eyesight and impaired muscle control in her left legs, particularly the back one.  But as many of you already know, Payton is a fighter and her love for life (and food!) shadows all of these difficulties!

She is my inspiration and my angel.  What a tough little cookie!

Love,
Christy (and Payton)