When are hallucinations actually seizures?

Hi MichaelK, Migraines don't run in my family. From the books/articles I've researched, the rule of thumb for differentiating between migraines with auras and seizures is the 5 minute rule: More than 5 minutes, call it a migraine; Less than 5 minutes, call it a seizure; About 5 minutes, call it migralepsy (especially if a definite seizure follows within one hour). Many references try to restrict migralepsy to only migraine-triggered seizures: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1142731-overview The definition of consciousness, when it is given by the sources using the word, varies so much, it makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to use it as a valid and objective concept. Like the dividing line between simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures, using alterations in levels of consciousness to distinguish between seizures and migraines creates paradoxes. But using the 5 minute rule creates paradoxes as well, because of the possibility of a series of quickly repeating partial seizures, and/or status epilepticus of partial seizures, or just longer than normal seizures. I've only had one eeg and one MRI (mounted in a mobile truck trailer, which greatly reduces precision). Both of these, for me, came back as normal, but my neurologist asked me if I would agree to brain surgery to stop my seizures anyway. I guess if I was willing, I might have received repeated and more precise eeg's and MRI's. For one thing, originating causes like hippocampal sclerosis (and many other causes), can be detected in 90% of such cases, but the other 10% require more heroic detection techniques: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=2686888&blobtype=pdf pages 3 - 4. This article also mentions sources of errors not usually considered in regular MRI's, errors that easily hide the source, and presence, of true seizures, both in terms of better diagnostics and more precise surgeries.

I have had multiple EEGs, MRIs, blood tests, and CAT scans, all showing that I am a normal person. Yet I have flashing lights and/or hallucinations in the side of my field of vision. As you said, "Every one is different." My doctor has been focusing, unsuccessfully, on my temporal lobe. My seizures seem to originate, though, from the back of my head, at least that is what I feel. What 3Hours said below makes me wonder if there hasn't been a misdiagnosis due to misinformation. I will talk more with my neurologist soon. Thanks for your help.