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.
Periods of loss of awareness (apparently)
Mon, 12/31/2012 - 08:37Hello, I'm new here - and I'm not even sure I should BE here either, but last night, my partner revealed something that shocked me. I apparently lose awareness and do not respond to her for up to several minutes. She said it happens at least weekly and it usually lasts 3-4 minutes, though around 2 months ago, she said one episode lasted for 10 minutes and she nearly called emergency help. The shock thing is that I had NO idea of this! Apparently, when I lose awareness, one of our pet whippets goes bananas when it happens, and will push or even nip my partner while looking at me.
When younger (esp in my teens and early 20s), I had strange episodes that I now think match simple-partial temporal lobe epilepsy. I was never diagnosed and didn't even know about TLE until a couple of years back (I experienced nearly all the 'aura' symptoms mentioned). Nowadays (I'm now in my mid 40s), there can be years between each episode so I've had no intention of pursuing it - it's so rare I doubt any tests revealing anything helpful.
But now I'm told I lose awareness and at least weekly! Mostly, she can shake me out of it (apparently). I don't recall ANYTHING of this. She even thought I already KNEW about it (because she knew about the past with what seemed to be TLE - and she had a TLE daughter from a previous marriage who had almost identical symptoms to me). It apparently happens on my 'dead-brain' days when I can't engage my brain on anything due to a heavy fog feel (but I get this with a dull headache a LOT), and she said I often get a bad headache or migraine episode after. What makes it worse is that my sister has started experiencing 'funny turns' that are an absolute match to my old TLE stuff, except she's getting them a lot (and suddenly) and is waiting for a referral from her GP. That's when my partner mentioned my 'loss of awareness' episodes and pondered whether there was a hereditory link.
Does this sound like anything anyone else has experienced? Right now, I would feel like a fraud going to my GP because I honestly have no recollection of these episodes, but as the driver of the family I also have a responsibility to ensure I'm not a danger (it's only ever happened when I'm at my PC apparently - which is about 90% of my day whether working or leisure). I just looked up 'absence seizures' but the description doesn't seem to fit. I've asked my partner to tell me when it happens again so I am at least aware of it, but right now I really don't know what to think!
Comments
Re: Periods of loss of awareness (apparently)
Submitted by medusa on Thu, 2013-01-03 - 07:37
I have no diagnosis at all. When younger, I just thought that deja-vu, visual disturbances, hallucinating, etc (and the rest) were just what everybody felt when suddenly feeling sick. It never occurred to me that it was odd just to suddenly feel ill for no reason, or that it would pass and I would sleep. Bizzarely, I didn't even question the fact that looking at a bold pattern for an extended period could bring this on. I can go a few years between each now (I deliberately don't stare at bold patterns) and so I've not sought any expert advice at all.
It was only when my sister told us about her 'funny turns' (an exact match to my past symptoms) that it even came up. That was when my partner mentioned that I have these 'absent' lapses where I don't respond (just appear frozen) - and fairly frequently (at least weekly). I still find it hard to believe in all honesty (she thought I already knew). But I've asked my partner to tell me when/if it happens again and am deliberately being more aware of how I'm feeling in the day just in case.
I have no diagnosis at all. When younger, I just thought that deja-vu, visual disturbances, hallucinating, etc (and the rest) were just what everybody felt when suddenly feeling sick. It never occurred to me that it was odd just to suddenly feel ill for no reason, or that it would pass and I would sleep. Bizzarely, I didn't even question the fact that looking at a bold pattern for an extended period could bring this on. I can go a few years between each now (I deliberately don't stare at bold patterns) and so I've not sought any expert advice at all.
It was only when my sister told us about her 'funny turns' (an exact match to my past symptoms) that it even came up. That was when my partner mentioned that I have these 'absent' lapses where I don't respond (just appear frozen) - and fairly frequently (at least weekly). I still find it hard to believe in all honesty (she thought I already knew). But I've asked my partner to tell me when/if it happens again and am deliberately being more aware of how I'm feeling in the day just in case.
Re: Periods of loss of awareness (apparently)
Submitted by tcameron on Wed, 2013-01-02 - 23:01
Have you already seen a neurologist and been diagnosed with epilepsy? I'm only another seizure patient; not a medical professional. I'm not positive, but I think most people have amnesia of their seizures with a period of time where you don't remember anything. (Your postictal period.) It helps to make a seizure diary (Top of this screen) and answer the questions the diary asks for each event. You might want to show this to your partner, so she can be prepared to look for the vital info she witnesses. If you can, show your seizure diary to your neurologist at your next visit. She can help you find out what is going on. If this isn't possible, you'll have a list of events to write down and bring to your appointment. Be prepared!
Have you already seen a neurologist and been diagnosed with epilepsy? I'm only another seizure patient; not a medical professional. I'm not positive, but I think most people have amnesia of their seizures with a period of time where you don't remember anything. (Your postictal period.) It helps to make a seizure diary (Top of this screen) and answer the questions the diary asks for each event. You might want to show this to your partner, so she can be prepared to look for the vital info she witnesses. If you can, show your seizure diary to your neurologist at your next visit. She can help you find out what is going on. If this isn't possible, you'll have a list of events to write down and bring to your appointment. Be prepared!