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Seizures with psychic symptoms? Please help!!!!

Fri, 04/13/2007 - 16:21
Hi everyone! I am a 30 y/o woman who has been experiencing "episodes" for 13-14 years. I had two this week, which were severe enough to scare me. I just finally went to see my doc today, who feels they could very well be seizures and is sending me to a neuro for evaluation. She is sending me for an MRI and EEG so that I can go to the neuro with them in hand... These episodes generally happen randomly, but I've noticed that some pop up right when I'm drifting off to sleep. Why I've never thought there is something physically wrong with me until now, is beyond me. They start with a feeling of dread that something bad is going to happen, and I feel this throughout my entire body. Then, I enter a state of what I can only describe as being between dreaming and being awake. I'm conscious, but I feel entranced. It is during this state that I experience intense feelings of deja vu, dread, fear and I feel like I'm having premonitions of the future (I swear, I'm not crazy). Afterwards, my head tingles all over, I feel disoriented and confused, I begin sweating all over and I feel as though someone has stuffed my head full of cotton. At this point, the episode ends, but I'm left with the cotton brain feeling for several hours and I feel as though I've run a marathon and all I want to do is sleep. I used to tell my mom when I was younger that I was experiencing these symptoms and she told me that I was having premonitions. LOL. Maybe that's why I never bothered to talk to a doc about it? However, the episodes I had this past Tuesday and Wednesday were so intense, my husband swore I was having seizures. He ran over to me and said that I looked like I wasn't there, that I was staring off into space and then I had this look of intense fear on my face. He also said that he doesn't know why he didn't think of this before, as he's watched me have dozens of them... Is there anyone here that has experienced a similar thing???? I'm terrified. Thanks so much in advance for you replies! -Kat

Comments

Re: Seizures with psychic symptoms? Please help!!!!

Submitted by solis on Fri, 2007-04-13 - 16:56
Hi Kat.. I've a couple of pages for you: http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_simplepartial.html (with simple partials one remains conscious) http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_complexpartial.html (complex partials incvolve a degree of lost conscioueness) No need to be terrified as worry is known to bring on seizures. Until you get checked do not drive, don't go without sleep, eat regularly. Best wishes ~sol

Re: Re: Seizures with psychic symptoms? Please help!!!!

Submitted by Old Timer on Fri, 2007-04-13 - 17:53
you mentioned you have some seizures when popping off to sleep. There are seizures that happen when you go into the REM sleep. Express in detail this type of seizure, it assists the Neuro. in terms of identifying the focal point. As was mentioned, plenty of sleep is of the essence. If I may suggest. It's good to be informed but, one can, "be too informed." Being, "too informed" brings on added concerns, questions & apprehension hence, each day brings its' own anxieties. Why add to it. Thus, don't read "too" much on the forums. God gifted us with 2 ears. Let things in one ear, mull around in your head acceptable information you want to investigate. Boot the unwanted info. out the other ear.

Re: Re: Re: Seizures with psychic symptoms? Please help!!!!

Submitted by Katvwolf on Sat, 2007-04-14 - 16:05
Good advice! I will definitely mention the seizures that happen as I'm drifting off to sleep, as these seem to be occurring more and more. In fact, I'm writing everything down as Maryann suggested, to ensure that I don't forget anything. Sleep is hard for me because I have a two year old daughter who is not a great sleeper and I also have fibromyalgia-pain often keeps me awake. I am on a very small dose of amitriptyline just at night, to help me sleep. I agree with not reading "too" much on the internet. In fact, what I've read has actually comforted me because I feel like I'm not alone! I am scared, but I feel better knowing what these episodes might be. If these are seizures, I can deal with them...after all "seizure" is just a label for these episodes I've been dealing with for years! I'm more worried about what the MRI and EEG will find, but there is no sense getting worked up over it. Getting worked up over things you cannot change is not productive and it certainly isn't going to help prevent another episode. Thank you for your wonderful advice. It is greatly appreciated!

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