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New Diagnosis but no proof
Fri, 01/07/2005 - 15:39Hello All -
I have recently been diagnosed with Autonomic Seizures, but the EEG, MRI, CT tests have all come out clean. Started with occular Migrane in April 2003. Progressed to full on migranes by June. First true seizure in August 2003. I was first placed on Topamax in November 2003 due to having a second seizure in 3 months. Prior to August 2003, I have never had any problems. Since then, I have been to the ER 7 times (as the unconciousness lasts for 10 - 20 mins). As I work in a hospital, it is getting to be a bit disconcerting having these at work, but at least it saves me an ambulance ride.
Since May 2004, I have been placed on Lamictal (200 mg/day). However, I have had another episode 5 days ago.
Episode starts with feeling of heat rising from foot to head. Severe flush in the face. Tingling and itching sensation in both palms. Feeling of nausea and diarrhea and buzzing in head just prior to loss of conciousness. I have been told that while I am out, my body is just radiating heat. These auras begin about 3 minutes prior to blacking out.
After the last episode, I was admitted for observation and given an echocardiogram and a stress test. Also have been placed on a holter monitor for 30 days (but drown the blasted thing in the toilet only 5 mins before an episode). These also proved inconclusive.
This is a difficult situation as I have two young children (6 and 8) who need to be brought home from school. Being stuck with the bus limits my flexibility at work.
My question is, how can all the tests come out negative but still be having the events? I have been told that the next step is a VEEG. However, my episodes occur at uneven intervals, generally ranging from 30 to 90 days (the expection being the last two with 8 months between).
Any and all feedback would be appreciated.
Irhobbitish
RE: RE: New Diagnosis but no proof
Submitted by mexican_fire on Fri, 2005-01-07 - 15:39
Hi Gretchen (the dog-lover), and the other person who made the original post.
I agree with you whole heartedly on this one. You couldn't have said it better.
But, I picked up on something you didn't. Since I was trained in the ER and as an EMT, She had stated that her seizures last around 10-20 minutes. Most seizures do not.
The TC may last longer, if it is in status, but general rules state that TCs last somewhere between 2-5 minutes on average, Simple Partial seizures last for 10-35 seconds, Complex Partial seizures last from 1.5-3 minutes, can be slightly longer. SGTCs last from 3-5 minutes. Absence last from 5-20 seconds. Myoclonic are lightening fast, less than a second. Tonic seizures last from 3-5 minutes. Clonic seizures last from 3-5 minutes.
Auras last a few seconds.
I have never heard of this either with her heat spilling out of her body like that.
She could have a type of syncope disorder, a cardiac problem, a high blood pressure problem, a messed up system that controls her body temperature, causing her to sweat massively, or NES.
She has a stressful job and who knows what at home.
I had 4 EEGs that came back ALL abnormal the first time, so there was no doubt about it.
2 showed sharp spikes and slowing in the LTL and spiking in the anterior portion of the same lobe. The other 2 EEGs were showing generalized activty in both hemispheres of my brain.
Then when I was in the EMU having the VEEG done, they did another one about 3 days into it, since I was already hooked up, and I seized during the hyperventilation/strobe part of it.
So, now, I have 5 abnromal EEGs.
That one initiated an Absence.
My CTs, MRIs, and PETs were all normal, and that is a common finding in about 80% of people.
I am also an active epileptic, but I do respond to some meds. They did tell me I was intractible, because of that. I have failed 7 others, and just had one of the two I am on now, increased.
I agreee that she needs to fidn out about it and get a handle on it.
If it is NES, she needs to find out what the inner source is and correct it with psychiatirc help and counseling, so it stops.
Before my visit to the first neuro, in my last state, they thought it was NES with me, and it turns out to be the exact opposite.
Hi Gretchen, god luck other person. Keep me posted at jolie_blon@yahoo.com.
You can use it too, Gretchen.
NAncy
Hi Gretchen (the dog-lover), and the other person who made the original post.
I agree with you whole heartedly on this one. You couldn't have said it better.
But, I picked up on something you didn't. Since I was trained in the ER and as an EMT, She had stated that her seizures last around 10-20 minutes. Most seizures do not.
The TC may last longer, if it is in status, but general rules state that TCs last somewhere between 2-5 minutes on average, Simple Partial seizures last for 10-35 seconds, Complex Partial seizures last from 1.5-3 minutes, can be slightly longer. SGTCs last from 3-5 minutes. Absence last from 5-20 seconds. Myoclonic are lightening fast, less than a second. Tonic seizures last from 3-5 minutes. Clonic seizures last from 3-5 minutes.
Auras last a few seconds.
I have never heard of this either with her heat spilling out of her body like that.
She could have a type of syncope disorder, a cardiac problem, a high blood pressure problem, a messed up system that controls her body temperature, causing her to sweat massively, or NES.
She has a stressful job and who knows what at home.
I had 4 EEGs that came back ALL abnormal the first time, so there was no doubt about it.
2 showed sharp spikes and slowing in the LTL and spiking in the anterior portion of the same lobe. The other 2 EEGs were showing generalized activty in both hemispheres of my brain.
Then when I was in the EMU having the VEEG done, they did another one about 3 days into it, since I was already hooked up, and I seized during the hyperventilation/strobe part of it.
So, now, I have 5 abnromal EEGs.
That one initiated an Absence.
My CTs, MRIs, and PETs were all normal, and that is a common finding in about 80% of people.
I am also an active epileptic, but I do respond to some meds. They did tell me I was intractible, because of that. I have failed 7 others, and just had one of the two I am on now, increased.
I agreee that she needs to fidn out about it and get a handle on it.
If it is NES, she needs to find out what the inner source is and correct it with psychiatirc help and counseling, so it stops.
Before my visit to the first neuro, in my last state, they thought it was NES with me, and it turns out to be the exact opposite.
Hi Gretchen, god luck other person. Keep me posted at jolie_blon@yahoo.com.
You can use it too, Gretchen.
NAncy