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Anxiety attacks or simple partial seizures and dejavu??

Wed, 09/28/2011 - 06:17

Hey there,

 I can't believe I'm typing this out because to everyone I've ever spoken to looks at me like i'm crackers. 

My name is Anna, I'm 27 years old.  I have a loving family, great group of friends, have no past traumatic experiences, no head injuries.  I am a very sensitive girl. 

This all sort of kicked off when I was 22, I started feeling very anxious about situations, I'd get terribly worked up and stressed about it.  A lot down to sistuations I was in at the tiem.  I was in my 2nd year at Uni, wasn't doing so well, was homesick and had awful living situations with the people I was living with causing me nothing but hassle and worry.  I soon started having these episodes.  Now, I cant pin down when exactly it started but I know it carried on.  I'd go into a daze, a rush of fear would sweep over me and a feeling like nothing ever before and then this hideous feeling of de javu would come on me. I couldn't speak properly, if in conversation whatever someone was saying would feel like i'd heard it before, or if watching TV I'd heard it before.  I couldn't even get the words out to say " give me a moment"  whether that was sheer embarrassment of this thing I was experiencing I couldnt understand I'm not sure.  If I did speak (i.e. to my boyfriend who knows) he'd tell me after I'd made no sense.  Then poof it was over in seconds, but what I was thinking? Not a clue... but each time I had an episode it was all so familiar. I'd sometimes dream about them, thus causing the feeling in my sleep. 

Now, i've always been a deep thinker (my worst arch enemy), and I do have the best memory ever, but the fact I couldn't remember this de javu I kept experiencing bothered me.  I wouldn't let it drop so kept trying to remember, and then i'd have more.  I was stressed and anxcious about it, and about having another one...which in turn caused another. I went to the doctors who tried to throw pills at me saying I was depressed, but even though I felt low for the fact I couldnt epxlain what was happening, I certainly didnt think I was depressed. I was sent to councelling sessions who tried to dig deep in my past and find out what I was holding back.  Making me over anyalize old situatuions wondering if they triggered all this, and the de javu was something I wanted to remember but couldnt.  It was crap because Ive got no demons in my closet! Others said it was anxiety attacks... So I just manned up and dealt.  I looked at anxiety free diets.  I cut out caffiene, I hardly drink, I try to eat fresh and organic foods. And when I get the surge that I might get one I change my activity or distract myself. However, there are the big ones when I cant. I was doing a half marathon on Sunday and at about mile 9, in the heat ( i had drank lots...maybe not enough?) the feeling came over me.  I had no way to distract myself because it was me alone running a race! I tried to keep running and hope it would brush over me... but it didnt.  De Javu. However, i've learnt to get myself out of them by saying everything is okay and it goes. i cant even tell you what I thought of other than it was that same feeling.  I taste odd tastes, I think a smell too? I swallow alot and suddenly get very hot in the face and sweaty (could of been more about the running this time) 

It leaves me feeling upset with myself for days after. Not because of the experience but the fact I cant control them and that no one understands, me included.  My family are supportive but I think they're getting bored of hearing about it.  I'm so worried about pushing my boyfriend away with this as well, we've been together 4 years now and I dont wnat to be that mental girl hes with. 

I dont know if this is any help but I was a late developer, I didnt start my periods until I was about 18/19 and then wouldn't have them regular at all... i'd go 6 months, 3 months, 5 weeks etc.  Only a few months ago after tests have I been told that I have PCOS.  Even though I have PCOS I had tests but my hormonal balance came back fine?! (still dont understand how that works!)I've read this could be linked with simple partial seizures.  Which, I guess does make sense because I didnt start periods until later then once i'd got into a pattern these episodes happened.  I have just started taking the Pill, which has leveled periods out but ive had more episodes since being on it than not.  I have taken the pill in the past and the one before made it worse.

I'm not sure but I'm feeling really alone with it all. 

I dont think I help myself sometimes though, because I'm constantly worried about having one which makes me so tense and nervous about experiencing it again.... which could egg one on.

 Is this a simple partial seizure or is it just anxiety? 

Any advice would be great.  I've booked a doctors visit next week. 

 xxx

 

Comments

Re: Anxiety attacks or simple partial seizures and dejavu??

Submitted by angelacarwile on Thu, 2011-09-29 - 08:22

If all of your findings come back normal, keep pressing on. EEG's, while they are the most accurate source for picking up seizure activity, you may not have one during the test. If it's normal, or even if it isn't I would suggest getting a VEEG (Video/Ambulatory EEG). It usually lasts anywhere from 2-4 days. You wear a monitor and have wires glued to your head and ches. (You'll look funny, but it's very precise:) Although my 1st EEG was abnormal, they couldn't really tell me where my seizures originated from or why I was having them to begin with. The VEEG provided more answers. I learned most of my seizures generated from my left temporal lobe with activity in my frontal lobe as well. They still claimed they had no idea what caused my seizures, but as I told you I have my own theory based on what I've researched about PCOS and Epilepsy.

As for not being able to have children due to PCOS; it's true it may be difficult to conceive without a little extra help...BUT and I mean a BIG but, it's not impossible!!! I was told for years I would never conceive due to PCOS and endometriosis. I should just have a hysterectomy and get it over with. I ignored those dummies and proceeded on with my life. After years of longing for a child, at the age of 32, I was blessed with my miracle baby boy, 10-21-2009! He's nothing short of a miracle!!! I talked to several Gyno/OB's and each one said it would be impossible, until I found Dr. Yochim. He put me on a fertility medication (Clomid) to help me ovulate, said if it worked it could be 3-6 months before I saw a result! I was pregnant in 2 weeks!!! Woo Hoo!! SOOOOO, when I tell you nothing's impossible, I'm living proof. I don't know how religious you are and I would never want to push anything on you, but I would like to share a scripture that kepps me going. Luke 18:27 "What's impossible with men, is possible with God". My faith in God strengthens me during tough times, and believe me there have been a lot!!! Right now as a matter of fact, but I dont' want to bore you:)

Another thing that will help you ovulate is Metformin (See an Endocrinolgist). Many PCOS patients, including myself are prescribed it for several reasons. Most of us are insulin resistant and do not ovulate. Metformin not only controls your insulin, but makes you ovualate. YAH!!! Before Metformin, I can't tell you the last time I ovulated... Even though I had cycles run amok, ovulation NEVER came afterward. All of these things combined have changed my life. It's so funny, you and I are so similar :) You're around the age I was when I started having problems.

I would like to suggest one more thing...information is key! Have your family get on this forum and READ about other people experiencing these same things. It could open their eyes and allow them to be more sensitive and compassionate about your situation.

I wish I had someone near me like you too. I keep in touch with a lot of friends from this website on Facebook. We share stories and keep up to date on our health matters. You should join us :)

If all of your findings come back normal, keep pressing on. EEG's, while they are the most accurate source for picking up seizure activity, you may not have one during the test. If it's normal, or even if it isn't I would suggest getting a VEEG (Video/Ambulatory EEG). It usually lasts anywhere from 2-4 days. You wear a monitor and have wires glued to your head and ches. (You'll look funny, but it's very precise:) Although my 1st EEG was abnormal, they couldn't really tell me where my seizures originated from or why I was having them to begin with. The VEEG provided more answers. I learned most of my seizures generated from my left temporal lobe with activity in my frontal lobe as well. They still claimed they had no idea what caused my seizures, but as I told you I have my own theory based on what I've researched about PCOS and Epilepsy.

As for not being able to have children due to PCOS; it's true it may be difficult to conceive without a little extra help...BUT and I mean a BIG but, it's not impossible!!! I was told for years I would never conceive due to PCOS and endometriosis. I should just have a hysterectomy and get it over with. I ignored those dummies and proceeded on with my life. After years of longing for a child, at the age of 32, I was blessed with my miracle baby boy, 10-21-2009! He's nothing short of a miracle!!! I talked to several Gyno/OB's and each one said it would be impossible, until I found Dr. Yochim. He put me on a fertility medication (Clomid) to help me ovulate, said if it worked it could be 3-6 months before I saw a result! I was pregnant in 2 weeks!!! Woo Hoo!! SOOOOO, when I tell you nothing's impossible, I'm living proof. I don't know how religious you are and I would never want to push anything on you, but I would like to share a scripture that kepps me going. Luke 18:27 "What's impossible with men, is possible with God". My faith in God strengthens me during tough times, and believe me there have been a lot!!! Right now as a matter of fact, but I dont' want to bore you:)

Another thing that will help you ovulate is Metformin (See an Endocrinolgist). Many PCOS patients, including myself are prescribed it for several reasons. Most of us are insulin resistant and do not ovulate. Metformin not only controls your insulin, but makes you ovualate. YAH!!! Before Metformin, I can't tell you the last time I ovulated... Even though I had cycles run amok, ovulation NEVER came afterward. All of these things combined have changed my life. It's so funny, you and I are so similar :) You're around the age I was when I started having problems.

I would like to suggest one more thing...information is key! Have your family get on this forum and READ about other people experiencing these same things. It could open their eyes and allow them to be more sensitive and compassionate about your situation.

I wish I had someone near me like you too. I keep in touch with a lot of friends from this website on Facebook. We share stories and keep up to date on our health matters. You should join us :)

Re: Anxiety attacks or simple partial seizures and dejavu??

Submitted by aggy84 on Sun, 2012-04-01 - 04:56
Hi Angela, Long time no speak! I just wanted to let you know...that only last week I met with a neurologist after being told I had GAD by every GP.... That I'm having complex partial seizures. I am baffled tbh. I'm having a brain scan ASAP and he tried to get me on pills straight away. He did reflex tests and looked into my eyes with a torch, then said I had complex partial seizures. I even said when I walked in I think it's just panic attacks but described everything fully. He wouldn't of just said I was having seizures just from what I said? Would he? Surely he must of found something else? I'm a bit stunned, and scared. Part of me wants to be having seizures because after 7 years of having them... I can finally sort it out and that I haven't been over exaggerating for all these years. I've finally got the support of all my family after them just not really understanding. I feel better, I've still had attacks or whatever they are but I'm worrying and thinking about them... Can that cause them? U can so see why people get confused if they're having attacks or seizures.... I hope you're well and hopefully chat soon xx

Re: Anxiety attacks or simple partial seizures and dejavu??

Submitted by poohbear891976 on Wed, 2011-09-28 - 13:55
As know that you're not alone as I went thru the same thing years ago with these feelings coming on from nowhere and just not really knowing how to explain them other than I couldn't breathe and would feel a very heavy feeling in my cheast well after bringing it to my dr attention and wearing a monitor around for a week on my heart I was informed they were anxiety attacks and treated with anti-anxiety meds..  Well now 15 years later I believe different as the last few times I was to feel the same feeling I was to progress into a tonic-clonic seizure..  And yes I've had female issues for years not PSOS but have had a complete hyst due to endometriosis, unexplained hormonal migraines for years..  So now I think I was having simple-partials for years and didn't ralize it...  I do have a appt set up with my neuro on next tues since experiencing another tonic-clonic a week ago yesterday..

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