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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

My neurologist told me it is

Submitted by Nessa_5ac254712323e on Mon, 2018-04-02 - 12:04
My neurologist told me it is possible to be aware during seizures.. sometimes I can hear everything .. sometimes I can hear and see .. other times I am completely out of it... seizures are different for everyone we all don't fit in one generalized group... each of our bodies are different. Knowing the signs that one is coming is important so you can get to a safe place ... take a pillow with you to work to ensure you can lay down on the floor and have a co worker time the episodes... then call into your neurologist to the seizure nurse and tell them about your episode ... so it can be documented ... I hope this helps 

This helps a lot.  An

Submitted by Jimmy_Marshall on Sun, 2018-04-08 - 05:26
This helps a lot.  An emergency room neurologist told me it was in my head when I described being conscious during a grand mal.  Then he changed it to a psychiatric pseudo-seizures, which didn't make sense because I have more symptoms that are consistent with epilepsy than a psychiatry based issue.  But he also didn't do any testing.  I went to another neurologist through referral and got a totally different opinion.  She took notes and requested my records.  She also ordered me an EEG.  She says I'm having seizures consistent with both and that it's abnormal.  This answer at least confirms that I'm actually having seizures and not just thrashing about due to a nightmare, have restless legs syndrome, etc.

I've been having seizures

Submitted by Crow on Sat, 2018-05-19 - 18:28
I've been having seizures like this for two years. I just had one about 15 minutes ago. It always feels like a panic attack at first, but then I suddenly feel detached from my body and can't tell if im touching/grabbing something. I lay down on the floor while I still get the few seconds of motor control to lay down on the floor. My body starts trashing around and I remain conscious through the entire thing (but im unable to stop it. I cannot control my body) and all I can do is wait it out.I had tests and scan done, much like you did. The docs also denied anything going on. They said there was "something" there but said there was no sign of seizure on the brain scan.

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