Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Is it possible to have seizures while remaining conscious? PLS HELP!!!

Sun, 11/21/2004 - 19:19

I've had these "seizure-like" episodes for 5 months now.  The first one I had started while I was sitting at my desk at work and I had an aura for about an hour where I got this zig-zag line in front of my eyes and I couldn't really see straight.  I also couldn't think straight or speak straight.  And when I tried to read something, I couldn't even sound out a simple word.  Then when my sight started to return, my legs and body got very rigid and I could barely move, so much so that I could barely stand up or reach my arm out to get the phone.  My body started tremoring for about 15 minutes.  I was rushed to the hospital, but remained conscious through the whole thing.  The paramedics and everyone else around me never said seizure.  They all thought maybe it was hypoglycemia, or something like that.  Well, 5 months later (and many neurological tests later), I'm still having episodes.  (I've had about 24)  They aren't always the same.  But for the most part, now, I will be sitting and all of the sudden I won't be able to hold my head up anymore (or I'll get a feeling in the pit of my stomach), and then my hands will get all fidgety.  This will escalate, until my foot kicks out, or my hand and eventually it's my whole upper and lower torso and head tremoring from anywhere from 5-30 minutes.  It will be hard to speak and my breathing might get labored.  I'm unable to move my own body at that point, so wherever I am having the episode is where I will be until the episode over, unless someone physically moves me.  Sometimes it slows down and stops.  Sometimes it stops abruptly.  I am always totally exhausted afterward and have lots of trouble with my legs afterward, sometimes for an hour, sometimes for days.  They get very weak and heavy feeling and sometimes will give out when I walk.

They seem to come in clusters, like I will have 4-7 episodes within a 2-3 week period and then I won't have any for 7-10 days.  During the 7-10 days, I will feel good.  During the 2-3 week period, I will feel very lethargic and weak most of the time.

I've had an MRI, MRA, MRV, EEG, 24 hr. EEG, CT scan of the brain, EMG, ECG, EKG, blood work... plus probably some more that I'm forgetting about that have all come back normal.  One doctor even suggested pseudoseizures during an 8 day hospital stay, after he witnessed one of my episodes.  This was because I responded to him (remained conscious) during my "seizure" and he thought I was making it up, I guess.  I have two young children at home who have witnessed these episodes--I would not do that to them!   I was screened by a psychologist who does not believe they are pseudoseizures.

So my question is, could they still be seizures, even though I am conscious?  Or have any of you have similar episodes while remaining conscious and figured out what these episodes are?  I'm sick of the "pseudoseizure" label I've been getting.  I know something is physically wrong with me and I am trying to get to the bottom of it, but need some help from someone besides my doctors.  Thanks.

Theresa

Comments

Re: Re:Possible to have seizures while remaining conscious?

Submitted by abelle on Tue, 2011-03-15 - 08:43
Masterj described what goes on. I do not lose consciousness, etc..  The tiredness is there, etc... I have several different forms of siezures. That's a big part..What type of siezure your neurologist says it is. Then your individual needs for treatment can be made.

Is it possible to have seizures while remaining conscious?

Submitted by kmann. on Wed, 2011-01-12 - 11:27

heey i know thi is from a long time ago but i just came across is, :/
i know what your feeling  like, i just turned 15 and ive been haveing the same things since i was 12.
I was at a friends house and we were down stairs and i got really dizzy all of a sudden not even from standing up fast, but i when to grab the chair and fainted that time i kinda blacked out i guess i had a sesuzure i didnt wake up until her mom called my name and after that i still couldnt see straight i kept shakeing and then id get really hot for a few seconds then get really cold. her mom called my dad and then he took me to the hospital, they said nothing was wrong after 3 hours waiting for results but then i was good for about two months,
then i passed out infront of my fire place, i woke up as soon as the broom and stuff for them fell on my legs, but that was the last one i wasnt consious for, the rest after i have been coustious for and i dont know why, sometimes i wont even end up laying down sometimes i can handle it just sitting but it always happens for me if im standing up. i havent whent to the docters since, but my dad always blamed it on me not eating, mind you i have been everytime it happens ive had a full stomac.

but half way through grade 8 i started smokeing weed, i have only "passed out" twice since then and its been in the last month, once wa yesterday and that was the longest experince i had, my friend thank god was nice about it and just made me relax, but the time before that i was with my ex and some of his friends started shakeing hit the ground and then just sat down, it feels like a dream everytime, but i know its not and i just want to know why, because i know the last two werent from smokeing to much i hav done larger burns between the incedences and nothing happened, but yeah i dont know whats up, and the doctor didnt give me any awensers

heey i know thi is from a long time ago but i just came across is, :/
i know what your feeling  like, i just turned 15 and ive been haveing the same things since i was 12.
I was at a friends house and we were down stairs and i got really dizzy all of a sudden not even from standing up fast, but i when to grab the chair and fainted that time i kinda blacked out i guess i had a sesuzure i didnt wake up until her mom called my name and after that i still couldnt see straight i kept shakeing and then id get really hot for a few seconds then get really cold. her mom called my dad and then he took me to the hospital, they said nothing was wrong after 3 hours waiting for results but then i was good for about two months,
then i passed out infront of my fire place, i woke up as soon as the broom and stuff for them fell on my legs, but that was the last one i wasnt consious for, the rest after i have been coustious for and i dont know why, sometimes i wont even end up laying down sometimes i can handle it just sitting but it always happens for me if im standing up. i havent whent to the docters since, but my dad always blamed it on me not eating, mind you i have been everytime it happens ive had a full stomac.

but half way through grade 8 i started smokeing weed, i have only "passed out" twice since then and its been in the last month, once wa yesterday and that was the longest experince i had, my friend thank god was nice about it and just made me relax, but the time before that i was with my ex and some of his friends started shakeing hit the ground and then just sat down, it feels like a dream everytime, but i know its not and i just want to know why, because i know the last two werent from smokeing to much i hav done larger burns between the incedences and nothing happened, but yeah i dont know whats up, and the doctor didnt give me any awensers

Re: Is it possible to have seizures while remaining conscious? P

Submitted by Dutchee on Wed, 2011-01-19 - 14:35
Absolutely. Unfortunately I still remain conscious while seizing.. During these seizures my muscles get torn, so I'de rather loose consciousness.... . My seizure activity is just in one part of the brain, it takes both parts to lose consciousness..

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.