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Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)

Thu, 06/15/2006 - 10:43
Topic: Living With Epilepsy - Adults
Hi. 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 aquila316 on Sun, 2006-06-18 - 07:25
Hello Reb, I also get some strange compulsive movements with partials (simple and complex) some I can explain, some I cannot, and some of which I was not aware. First, I know we've all seen descriptions of sz's including the smacking of lips. I think every description or article I've read about partials describe the subject smacking thier lips during a sz. I can tell you from having this my whole life (I'm 33 now) I have always smacked my lips during partials. I don't know if any research was ever done, but I do it to keep from throwing up. That's usually the only thing I do consistently, every time I have a partial. That's the only way friends, family, and coworkers know I'm having one. I always feel as though I'm going to get ill, and I swallow over and over again to try not to, although I don't think I've ever read about this happening to anyone else. The second habit is realtively new, I've only been doing it a few years, but I wring my hands together. From what I've been told people around me say I do it so hard they're scared I'm going to hurt my hands, or even break a finger. There is no symptom of which I am aware that makes me do it, either (like feeling ill ans swallowing hard). I don't know how I do this either, becase I get psoriasis on my hands, and sometimes they really hurt. Like I said, I didn't even know about this one, it's usually only the CP's when I wring my hands, but I'm paying more attention to my actions during partials now. Lastly, I know most of us have a problem with biting down, and clenching our jaws, but I also clench my toes. Sometimes I do this so tightly that it hurts trying to straighten them out again. I have also woken up with muscle cramps in my calves due to curling my toes in my sleep. It's almost as painful as the tooth impression that was inside my cheeck when I woke up yesterday morning. Thought I would share...Take care, =) Susan

Re: Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)

Submitted by mamaoffour on Sun, 2008-02-24 - 01:25

I know this is an old post, but I just think I figured out that my son is having some type of seizure from your post!  My son has been doing lots of lip smacking and swallowing during the day and during his naps.  It happens right before he is having muscle twitches, head twitches, blinking eyes, and throat and mouth sounds!  It's all concentrated around his head mostly, and sometimes  he has leg and arm twitches as well!  He has got to be  having seizures; that's the only explanation of his bizarre behaviors!!  He does it all in a row everyday now!!  He is a very hyper boy, so it has been hard to tract these behaviors.  Now I know how to tract them.  I'm going to keep a journal so I can count everytime this weird behavior starts.  Thanks for the eye opener!!

 

Misty

I know this is an old post, but I just think I figured out that my son is having some type of seizure from your post!  My son has been doing lots of lip smacking and swallowing during the day and during his naps.  It happens right before he is having muscle twitches, head twitches, blinking eyes, and throat and mouth sounds!  It's all concentrated around his head mostly, and sometimes  he has leg and arm twitches as well!  He has got to be  having seizures; that's the only explanation of his bizarre behaviors!!  He does it all in a row everyday now!!  He is a very hyper boy, so it has been hard to tract these behaviors.  Now I know how to tract them.  I'm going to keep a journal so I can count everytime this weird behavior starts.  Thanks for the eye opener!!

 

Misty

Re: Re: Weird compulsive behavior with CPS while aware. (repost)

Submitted by rebpow on Sun, 2006-06-18 - 17:02
Thanks for your comments Fred & Susan. I always feel like only part of my conscousness is really impaired, but most of the time during my seizures, there is a clear-minded part of me telling me to stop doing my automitisms. Sometimes if someone else is watching me I will feel embarassed and self-conscious. The other day, I was banging my head against an iron bar on my fire-escape. Part of me was afraid that I was going to hurt my head and I remember thinking to myself, "Just what you need - another head injury." But I just kept doing it and making really loud & weird groaning noises. Sometimes, I'm aware that what I'm doing is weird, but I don't care. I will stare at people, smack my lips and keep nodding. Sometimes I wonder if I make these strange motions because I can't move the rest of my body and it's kind of reassuring to move the parts that I can. Off the subject here, but I wanted to relate a scary experience from last week where I hung up my bathrobe on it's hook. Then I saw it on my bed and went to hang it up and realized I had just done that. It made me really scared. I wasn't sure if it was deja vu or if I had unconsciously put the robe back on the bed. I had never something like this happen. Anyway...best to you all. -Reb

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