Multiple Sclerosis and Seizures: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) brings enough challenges on its own—but when seizures enter the picture, it can feel overwhelming 😔. Although seizures aren’t the most common MS symptom, they do affect a small portion of people living with the condition.

This post will guide you through:

✅ What causes seizures in MS
✅ What they feel like
✅ How they're diagnosed
✅ Treatment options
✅ Lifestyle tips to reduce seizure risk
✅ Real-life coping strategies 💪

Let’s break it all down together 💛

🧠 First Things First: What Is a Seizure?

A seizure is a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This can cause changes in behavior, awareness, movement, or sensation. Not all seizures look like what you see in movies—some are subtle and easy to miss.

Types of Seizures

Here are the two main categories:

Focal (Partial) Seizures – Start in one area of the brain. These can cause:

  • Strange sensations
  • Muscle twitches
  • Changes in consciousness

Generalized Seizures – Involve both sides of the brain. These might cause:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Convulsions (jerking movements)
  • Staring spells

MS-related seizures are often focal in nature, but they can evolve into generalized seizures in some people.

🧩 Why Do Some People with MS Have Seizures?

Although it's not super common, people with MS are more likely to experience seizures than the general population.

Studies show that 2% to 5% of people with MS may experience seizures, compared to about 0.5% to 1% in the general population.

Possible Causes in MS:

A red brain with black text AI-generated content may be incorrect.

🧊 Lesions in the Brain Cortex
MS causes plaques or lesions in the brain and spinal cord. When these lesions affect the cerebral cortex (the outer layer of the brain), they can disrupt normal electrical activity and potentially trigger seizures.

🧠 Cortical Demyelination
Demyelination is when the protective sheath (myelin) around nerve fibers is damaged. This can affect signal transmission in the brain and increase the likelihood of abnormal discharges.

🔥 Inflammation
MS is an inflammatory disease. Ongoing inflammation may irritate neurons and raise the chance of epileptic activity.

📉 Are Seizures a Sign of MS Progression?

Not necessarily. While seizures can occur at any stage, some research suggests they may be more common in advanced MS. However, they can also be the first symptom in rare cases.

The important thing to remember: seizures in MS are manageable, and not always a sign of worsening disease.

🔍 What Do MS Seizures Feel Like?

Seizure symptoms vary from person to person. Some common experiences include:

  • A sudden feeling of fear or déjà vu 😨
  • Tingling or numbness
  • Muscle stiffness or twitching (especially in the face, arms, or legs)
  • Staring into space
  • Confusion afterward 🌀
  • Loss of awareness or consciousness

Some people experience auras, which are sensory warnings before a seizure—like a strange smell, visual disturbance, or an odd taste in the mouth.

🧪 Diagnosing Seizures in MS

If you or a loved one with MS experiences unusual symptoms, it’s important to get a full evaluation 🩺.

Here’s how doctors typically diagnose MS-related seizures:

1. Detailed Medical History

Your neurologist will ask about symptoms, duration, and frequency.

2. EEG (Electroencephalogram)

This test measures electrical activity in your brain and helps confirm if seizures are occurring.

3. MRI Scan

Your doctor may look for active lesions or new areas of demyelination, especially in the cerebral cortex.

4. Blood Work

To rule out infections, electrolyte imbalances, or medication side effects.

👉 Pro Tip: Keep a symptom diary to track when and how episodes occur. This can help your neurologist find patterns and decide on treatment.

💊 Treatment Options for MS-Related Seizures

The good news? Most seizures in MS respond well to treatment 🙌

Here are some common approaches:

1. Anti-Seizure Medications (ASMs)

Also called anticonvulsants or antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), these help control electrical activity in the brain.

Some commonly used ASMs include:

  • Levetiracetam (Keppra)
  • Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • Topiramate (Topamax)

💡 Your doctor will help choose a medication based on the type of seizure, other MS symptoms, and potential side effects.

2. Treating Underlying MS Activity

If MRI shows active lesions, your neurologist might adjust your disease-modifying therapy (DMT) to reduce overall inflammation.

3. Lifestyle Changes

We'll go over those in the next section 👇

🌱 Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Seizure Risk

While medications are important, lifestyle plays a huge role in keeping seizures under control.

Here are some MS-friendly habits to help reduce seizure triggers:

😴 Prioritize Sleep

Fatigue and sleep deprivation are common seizure triggers. Aim for 7–9 hours of restful sleep each night.

🧘 Manage Stress

Try meditation, breathing exercises, or even gentle yoga for MS. Stress raises seizure risk for many people. Cold plunges could also work.

🚫 Avoid Alcohol & Recreational Drugs

These can interfere with brain activity and interact dangerously with MS or seizure medications.

🧂 Stay Hydrated and Balanced

Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can make seizures more likely. Sip water throughout the day and eat a balanced diet.

📱 Use Seizure-Safe Tech

Apps like Seizure Tracker or My Seizure Diary can help log symptoms and share data with your care team.

🧡 Coping Emotionally with Seizures

Seizures can be scary, especially the first time. Many people worry about when one might happen again.

Here are a few emotional and practical coping strategies:

💬 Tell Your Support Network

Let family and friends know what to do if a seizure happens. A calm, informed response makes all the difference.

📝 Create a Seizure Action Plan

Include your medications, emergency contacts, what your seizures look like, and when to call for help.

🧠 Join a Support Group

Online communities like MSWorld, Reddit’s r/MultipleSclerosis, or local epilepsy and MS support groups can help you feel less alone. Looking for an online therapist? Click here.

🎨 Practice Creative Outlets

Art, writing, or music can be healing ways to process fear or anxiety. And they help reduce stress too!

🚨 When to Seek Emergency Care

Most MS-related seizures are short and resolve on their own. But call 911 or head to the ER if:

  • A seizure lasts more than 5 minutes
  • The person has difficulty breathing afterward
  • Seizures happen back-to-back without full recovery
  • It’s the person’s first seizure ever

💡 Tip: Medical alert bracelets can help first responders know you have MS and a seizure history.

👩⚕️ What Does Research Say?

Ongoing studies are helping us understand more about seizures in MS. Here are a few findings:

  • People with cortical lesions have a higher chance of seizures
  • Seizures do not usually indicate faster MS progression
  • New DMTs may lower seizure frequency by reducing inflammation
  • MRI-guided care is helping personalize seizure treatment in MS patients

More clinical trials are underway to explore better medications and early prediction tools.

🧠 MS vs. Epilepsy: What’s the Difference?

A cartoon of a person yelling at a brain AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Although they both involve the brain, MS and epilepsy are very different conditions.

Feature

Multiple Sclerosis

Epilepsy

Type

Autoimmune demyelinating

Neurological seizure disorder

Symptoms

Numbness, weakness, fatigue

Seizures (varied types)

Cause

Immune system attacks myelin

Brain electrical dysfunction

Relationship

MS can cause seizures

Epilepsy doesn’t cause MS

If seizures become frequent or don’t respond to standard MS care, your doctor might explore a dual diagnosis of epilepsy.

📦 Final Tips: Living Safely with MS and Seizures

  • Use grab bars in bathrooms and avoid risky heights
  • Avoid swimming alone 🏊
  • Keep soft surfaces around beds or couches if you’ve had nocturnal seizures
  • Inform your healthcare team about any new symptoms ASAP

And most importantly—don’t lose hope. Many people with MS and seizures live full, rich lives with the right care and support 🌟 Want online stores with useful tools for people with MS? Click here and here.

💬 Final Thoughts

Seizures can feel like a scary twist in your MS journey—but you're not powerless 💪. With the right information, medication, and support, most people can manage seizures successfully and get back to living their life.

🌟 Remember: You are not alone. Your body is not your enemy. And help is always available.

If you’ve had a seizure or are worried about your symptoms, don’t wait—talk to your neurologist today 💬

🧾 References

  1. Dagiasi, I., Evangelopoulos, M. E., & Spengos, K. (2018). Seizures and epilepsy in multiple sclerosis: Epidemiology, pathophysiology and management. CNS Drugs, 32(7), 641–649. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40263-018-0545-6
  2. Kalinin, S., & Zueva, Y. (2011). Seizures and multiple sclerosis: Pathophysiological and clinical aspects. Journal of Neurology, 258(4), 456–462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-010-5794-z
  3. Multiple Sclerosis Society UK. (2023). Seizures and epilepsy in MS. Retrieved from https://www.mssociety.org.uk
  4. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (2023). MS symptoms and complications. Retrieved from https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms
  5. Epilepsy Foundation. (2023). About seizures. Retrieved from https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-types
  6. Kelley, B. J., & Rodriguez, M. (2009). Seizures in multiple sclerosis: Epidemiology, pathophysiology and management. CNS Drugs, 23(10), 805–815. https://doi.org/10.2165/11310680-000000000-00000
  7. Van Zeijl, J. H., et al. (2022). The association between cortical lesions and epilepsy in multiple sclerosis. Neurology, 99(6), e512–e520. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000200644

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