Brief Answer:
Tramadol by itself is a potential seizure trigger

Detailed Answer:
Tramadol is typically disliked by most neurologists precisely for its property of lowering seizure thresholds in people who are susceptible or already suffer with epileptic disorders.

Without knowing what the general anesthetic I think it is difficult to say anything about reactions between that agent and the tramadol. General anesthetic agents aren't really considered as epileptogenic since they are in fact some of the most POWERFUL anticonvulsants we have. That's what we turn to in order to calm someone down with status epilepticus who responds to no other measure.

I don't blame your daughter for having trepidations about going under again. I would also check for the following relatively common problem found in people undergoing general anesthesia procedures....check her for what's called SUCCINYLCHOLINESTERASE DEFICIENCY or possibly PSEUDOCHOLINESTERASE deficiency. These are congenital abnormalities found in about 3-5% of patients undergoing general anesthesia procedures and represents a congenital problem that can predispose them for problems with anesthetics. I would be surprised if she would not have had these tests done prior to surgery since they are typically STANDARD screening bloods that are done on everybody just because of the potential complications.

I would definitely X out TRAMADOL in the future from any medication regimen.

If the neurologist clearly ruled out epilepsy as a complicating comorbidity (and it sounds reasonable that it should be ruled out) then, drug reaction is the next likely cause. However, just be aware that people going through something like this SOMETIMES can unmask an underlying seizure or epileptic condition. If I were in your daughter's position I would definitely make sure that an extensive and thorough workup was completed to rule out an underlying disorder and then, I would take the proper precautions to be sure that no underlying condition was unmasked. This means I would not get back to driving a car, handling dangerous equipment, or go climbing up to heights on ladders, etc. I would not travel to remote or isolated places alone or without a person accompanying and I would maintain a diary of "funny feelings" that came upon me for the next 6 months and stay in touch with the neurologist.

If everything checks out after 6 months then, I would be much more comfortable stating that NO EPILEPTIC CONDITION actually existed and chalk this up to complications of medications (probably Tramadol or reaction of other medications with Tramadol).

I hope this addresses your concerns and that you will keep me in mind for future queries and questions regarding these or other neurological/medical issues that I may be able to help resolve.

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