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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Minneapolis, MN

The latest impact of my epilepsy is I'm starting to have trouble writing and using my right hand. I'm right handed and my seizes are focal seizures focused on the left side of my brain. I'm curious how this develops and how you manage it. thank you

May 2
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I have had meds that have given me tremors in my hands.

May 4
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I had a issue like this for a long time. Its hard to say whether or it was seizures or the meds I was taking but since my last seizure they had to change my meds and the shaking finally started to stop. The only thing is my meds were changed mid 2023 and the shaking only started to improve 12 months later and its still slowly getting better so its taking a long time.

May 2
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Yes.. my seizures start in my right hand. And go up my arm and then to my eyes and mouth. I was right handed but now I’m not able to use my right hand much. It’s difficult .

May 6
MyEpilepsyTeam

What a frustrating development to navigate, especially when it affects something as everyday as writing. Since your focal seizures originate in the left side of your brain, it makes sense that your right hand could be affected — the left brain controls movement on the right side of the body.

Focal motor seizures can cause Show Full Answer

What a frustrating development to navigate, especially when it affects something as everyday as writing. Since your focal seizures originate in the left side of your brain, it makes sense that your right hand could be affected — the left brain controls movement on the right side of the body.

Focal motor seizures can cause involuntary movements, stiffening, weakening, or jerking in specific parts of the body, including the hands and arms. This is why writing or fine motor tasks can become difficult. Here are some ways people manage hand-related impacts from focal seizures:

- Talk to your neurologist — better seizure control is the most important step, as reducing seizures can help preserve motor function
- Occupational therapy — a therapist can help retrain fine motor skills and suggest adaptive tools
- Adaptive writing tools — thicker pens, grips, or styluses can make writing easier
- Go digital — voice-to-text apps or typing can take pressure off your right hand
- Track your symptoms — noting when hand difficulties worsen can help your doctor adjust your treatment plan

It's worth raising this with your neurologist as soon as possible, as changes in motor function are important to monitor closely.

May 2
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

Kris5 when I first got diagnosed in February of 2016 I couldn’t use my right hand at all but after explaining the situation almost everyone was understanding. Have you talked to your neurologist about the problem it could possibly be a medication causing especially if it started all of a sudden and recently. My only stopped after getting on the medication after 3 years of my official diagnosis.

May 2

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