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Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)
Thu, 06/15/2006 - 10:43Hi.
I have had 3-5 Complex Partial Seizures every week for the last four months. I had an abnormal EEG and started Lamictal a month ago. I am pretty aware during the seizures. I have a lot of difficulty moving and speaking. Sometimes I'm completely frozen.
I sometimes have these weird compulsive behaviors before, during, or after the seizure. I will say a word or sentence or sound over and over again. Or I will nod a lot, bite the air, rock, figit with my hand...etc. I know this is common for people with CPS, but I've never heard of someone being aware of it happening. I am aware of what I'm doing, but very compelled to do these things around a seizure episode. Sometimes I do this and just feel tired afterwards, without a seizure.
I was wondering if anyone else has had an experience like this. I feel uncertain that this is based on something going on in my brain or if is psychological. I've been under a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I can't discount the possibilty that this compulsive behavior is in my head (figuratively). I just really want to know.
Thank you,
Reb
Comments
Re: Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)
Submitted by ritab2002 on Thu, 2006-06-15 - 20:05
Just a bit of clarification on the difference between seizure types.
In complex partial, there's an alteration or change in level of awareness - sometimes it looks like person is fine but they aren't fully aware of what is going on and may not recall all or part of it afterwards. The amount of awareness that people retain can vary a lot. Note that whether or not a person can speak isn't clearly related to awareness, it depends on whether the language areas of the brain are involved in the seizure. For example in a complex partial seizure, people may not speak at all, may speak but not make sense, may talk fine, or just make noises or other sounds. In simple partial - there's no change in level of awareness or consciousness. There is a change in behavior of some sort, but person is aware of symptoms. When a seizure secondarily generalizes, there is a loss of consciousness. The terms can certainly be confusing!
Here are some links to content on epilepsy.com on partial seizures. Take alook at the professional site as well. There are also videos of what seizures look like.
www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_simplepartial.html
www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_complexpartial.html
www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_secondgeneralized.htm
www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/epilepsy_temporallobe.html
Hope this helps!
Epi_help
By epi_help at Sat, 05/27/2006 - 7:26am | Reply
Re: Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)
Submitted by ritab2002 on Thu, 2006-06-15 - 20:32
I also have CPS and have 1-3 seizures at times per day even with meds. My neuro has confirmed the CPS but I, like you, do have some awareness of the seizure however my consciousness is most definately impaired. In fact more than I know from what people have told me. I also cannot speak. Until I had the Grand Mal I wasn't sure either. My tests all came out "typical"
So,hang it there and keep seeking info. I posted the above one from epi as they sent it to one of my posts and it helped a lot.
Best wishes, Rita
Re: Hi Reb... Let me take a stab
Submitted by rebpow on Fri, 2006-06-16 - 15:24
Thank you for your reply Solis. My neurologist has explained to me that there can be awareness even during Complex Partials, although it is impaired. She also said that I may be unaware of times when I am less conscious of what is going on. ?? The quoted material below is some more info I discovered on further research. I just thought I'd pass it along. "Complex partial status epilepticus may also occur with prolonged episodes of waxing and waning of consciousness." "During a complex partial seizure, the person usually becomes motionless and stares or makes automatic movements such as fumbling movements of the hands. When someone has a complex partial seizure, speak quietly and in a reassuring manner, because some persons have only partial impairment of consciousness and can react to emotional or physical stimulation." "After this type of seizure {CPS}, which again is usually only brief, the person can experience a short period of weakness. In rare instances people can be briefly paralysed and this is known as ‘Todd’s paralysis’." One thing that is a little strange with my seizures is that they can last up to 15 minutes before I can start moving slowly, and regain the ability to speak (slowly and with a stutter). Anyway, I appreciate everyone's comments and wish you all well. -Reb