Scared & Confused..Did my doctor say I have epilepsy?

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I have bipolar 2 disorder and have been experiencing a nonstop tingling sensation over my entire body since November. I thought it was due to my medications, but stopping the meds didn't make the tingling go away. I got an MRI and saw a neurologist. The neurologist said I have dark spots on my parietal lobe, which could indicate scar tissue. He did a thorough exam and asked me a lot of questions. I told him I have a history of fainting my entire life (at least 12 times since I was 7, occurs about every 2 years). The last time I fainted was 2 years ago at work. Fainting runs in my family and we've all had several types of tests done and doctors have never found anything. I described all this to him, and my night terrors, and my trouble concentrating at work and light sensitivity and my migraines. Putting it all together, a lot of my experiences do sound similar to seizures and epilepsy. At the end of the appointment, he told me he thinks I have a seizure disorder and told me to research "partial epilepsy." He said he wasn't going to put a diagnosis in my chart yet because then he would have to report it and he wants to confirm with an EEG. He said even if the EEG came back negative, he wants me to come back in 6 weeks and start me on new meds. He said the Lamictal I'm taking for my bipolar is "what's saving me." So, did he diagnose me with epilepsy? It sounds like no matter how the EEG turns out, he's going to put me on different anti-seizure medications to treat me. Does this non-stop tingling sensation mean I've been having non-stop seizures for months? He asked if they got worse when I have migraines and they do. I also have a lot of anxiety, feel hot and over-stimulated, and can't concentrate at work sometimes. I researched parietal lobe epilepsy and that turns out to be one of the rarer forms, so it's difficult for me to understand what's going on. I don't know how to process what he told me and since I have bipolar and am already in the process of changing my medications, I'm left with a lot of anxiety and am scared about this diagnosis. On the one hand, it could be very positive because it would explain a lot of symptoms I've had that I've attributed to medication side effects. On the other hand, parietal lobe epilepsy is rare and the information I can find on it varies and I'm not sure if it explains this nonstop tingling. I'm also scared of the long-term implications of this diagnosis. Either way, I'm terrified. I'm scared to drive to work on my 65 mile commute to work each day. I'm scared that if I feel overstimulated at work again or get a migraine, that I will get into a car accident because that's what happened a month ago when I felt that way. And my migraines have gotten worse over the past several weeks, most likely due partly to the stress of all this. I don't know how to process this. "Partial epilepsy" doesn't appear to be a thing. I'm guessing he means "partial seizures," but I also have complete fainting episodes where I get a feeling of weightlessness in the pit of my stomach, followed by complete lack of consciousness, followed by bursting into tears, feeling confused, and overwhelmed, and also very sweaty, pale, and clammy. After researching epilepsy, these do sound very similar to generalized seizures. My doctor said when the seizure spreads to both hemispheres of my brain, that's when I would faint. So my questions are: 1. Did my neurologist diagnose me with epilepsy? 2. How do I keep myself from panicking until I see him again in 6 weeks to get the test results and start on new medications? 3. I'm anxious about the EEG scheduled next week. Will this induce a seizure and affect me longer than a day? He told me to stop taking my medications a couple days before the EEG and so I'm scared what that will do to my moods. 4. If he does diagnose me with epilepsy, does that mean he will have to report it to the DMV and that my license will get automatically suspended at first? (I live in California). I'm scared what that means for my ability to go to work since I live so far away, especially if it's an automatic suspension that I won't have time to repeal. 5. I'm trying to get a new job and even have a job interview later in the week after my EEG. Is this diagnosis something I should be upfront about if I receive a job offer? I'm scared that my license will get suspended and that I won't be able to work because of it. I'm also scared of how the extra stress of transitioning to a new job will affect my health, along with all the adjustments to my medications. I've read mixed responses about telling a potential employer and have had similar experiences with my bipolar disorder. I currently have an accommodation plan at work due to my disorder, but my manager does not know what my diagnosis is because that's not required by the ADA standards. 6. Should I be changing any of my behavior? Should I be driving or going to work? I'm currently allowed to work from home as needed and I'm not sure if I should do that or if I should try to "act normal." I gave my boss a head's up that I'm going through additional medical issues, but I feel guilty for not coming in to work. Clearly I'm overwhelmed by all of this and it's not helping that I already have bipolar disorder and am in the process of weaning off of one of my medications (Wellbutrin - because it lowers the seizure threshold). I don't know what to do and I feel like talking with my partner or friends about it doesn't help as much because they can't really understand all of what I'm going through. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I don't know how to go through the next month until my next appointment. Thank you, S

Comments

No. The neurologist is

Submitted by Tadzio on Fri, 2017-04-28 - 18:09

No. The neurologist is weighing the possibility that an epilepsy might be involved.

Everything not clearly epileptic is often written off as migraine for me, both migraine aura and migraine with/without headache pain.

it’s rare that a seizure purposively & successfully induced during an EEG has physical effects lasting more than minutes; abruptly stopping off-label & label usage of anti-epileptic medications can induce seizures sometimes, even for individuals without epilepsy (as some individuals who use such medication for off-label weight loss attempts often discover).

The neurologist might report bad results to the DMV (the law has many loopholes). A DMV form, and then a webpage, might clarify the issues:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/f92586ac-be7a-456b-af31-b35acc029982/ds326.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

http://www.dui-california.com/pdf/laps_ch4.pdf

Mentioning my epilepsy killed all my job offers.

Tingling sensations (paraesthesia) can occur with migraine aura and occasionally with some epilepsies (some neurologists assume paraesthesia is a weight to considering differentiation between migraine and parietal lobe epilepsy).

“ How do you distinguish between seizures and migraines on EEG?” might help:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_do_you_distinguish_between_seizures_and_migraines_on_EEG

Both epilepsy and migraine can masquerade as mental health disorders. The typical ictals with epilepsy are minutes or less in length, minutes to hours/days for migraine, days to weeks/months for totally independent psychic phenomena cycles (in a graph of Jacksonian Levels versus Duration, epilepsy ictals can present with any Level but for very brief durations; migraines any level but for moderate durations; bipolar cycles highest Jacksonian Level with longer durations, “hence the metamorphoses to which migraine is prone” Oliver Sacks, MIGRAINE (1985), Chapter 10). The post-ictals and pre-ictals, with the inter-ictals, can cause mass confusion for neurologists.

<li> No.  The neurologist is weighing the possibility that an epilepsy might be involved.</li><li>Everything not clearly epileptic is often written off as migraine for me, both migraine aura and migraine with/without headache pain.</li><li>it’s rare that a seizure purposively & successfully induced during an EEG has physical effects lasting more than minutes;  abruptly stopping off-label & label usage of anti-epileptic medications can induce seizures sometimes, even for individuals without epilepsy (as some individuals who use such medication for off-label weight loss attempts often discover).</li><li>The neurologist might report bad results to the DMV (the law has many loopholes).  A DMV form, and then a webpage, might clarify the issues:   </li><li> https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/f92586ac-be7a-456b-af31-b35acc029982/ds326.pdf?MOD=AJPERES   </li><li> http://www.dui-california.com/pdf/laps_ch4.pdf</li><li> Mentioning my epilepsy killed all my job offers.</li><li> Tingling sensations (paraesthesia) can occur with migraine aura and occasionally with some epilepsies (some neurologists assume paraesthesia is a weight to considering differentiation between migraine and parietal lobe epilepsy).</li><li>“ How do you distinguish between seizures and migraines on EEG?”  might help:</li><li>https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_do_you_distinguish_between_seizures_and_migraines_on_EEG</li><li>Both epilepsy and migraine can masquerade as mental health disorders.  The typical ictals with epilepsy are minutes or less in length, minutes to hours/days for migraine, days to weeks/months for totally independent psychic  phenomena cycles (in a graph of Jacksonian Levels versus Duration,  epilepsy ictals can present with any Level but for very brief durations; migraines any level but for moderate durations;  bipolar cycles highest Jacksonian Level with longer durations, “hence the metamorphoses to which migraine is prone”  Oliver Sacks, MIGRAINE (1985), Chapter 10).  The post-ictals and pre-ictals, with the inter-ictals, can cause mass confusion for neurologists. </li><li></li>

No. The neurologist is weighing the possibility that an epilepsy might be involved.

Everything not clearly epileptic is often written off as migraine for me, both migraine aura and migraine with/without headache pain.

it’s rare that a seizure purposively & successfully induced during an EEG has physical effects lasting more than minutes; abruptly stopping off-label & label usage of anti-epileptic medications can induce seizures sometimes, even for individuals without epilepsy (as some individuals who use such medication for off-label weight loss attempts often discover).

The neurologist might report bad results to the DMV (the law has many loopholes). A DMV form, and then a webpage, might clarify the issues:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/f92586ac-be7a-456b-af31-b35acc029982/ds326.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

http://www.dui-california.com/pdf/laps_ch4.pdf

Mentioning my epilepsy killed all my job offers.

Tingling sensations (paraesthesia) can occur with migraine aura and occasionally with some epilepsies (some neurologists assume paraesthesia is a weight to considering differentiation between migraine and parietal lobe epilepsy).

“ How do you distinguish between seizures and migraines on EEG?” might help:

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_do_you_distinguish_between_seizures_and_migraines_on_EEG

Both epilepsy and migraine can masquerade as mental health disorders. The typical ictals with epilepsy are minutes or less in length, minutes to hours/days for migraine, days to weeks/months for totally independent psychic phenomena cycles (in a graph of Jacksonian Levels versus Duration, epilepsy ictals can present with any Level but for very brief durations; migraines any level but for moderate durations; bipolar cycles highest Jacksonian Level with longer durations, “hence the metamorphoses to which migraine is prone” Oliver Sacks, MIGRAINE (1985), Chapter 10). The post-ictals and pre-ictals, with the inter-ictals, can cause mass confusion for neurologists.

1. Did my neurologist

Submitted by mereloaded on Fri, 2017-04-28 - 18:48

1. Did my neurologist diagnose me with epilepsy?Officially Not YET. Epilepsy is the likely culprit of your symptoms but your doctor needs to wait for the results of your EEG. Note that it may take more than one EEG. Lamictal is used in migraine/mood disorders, but it is also used as an anticonvulsant. He is right, lamictal has kept you from developing worse symptopns but it is not the correct treatment for you given your worsening symptoms. So unofficially yes, he suspects epilepsy which is consistent with your medical history and symptoms, just waiting for your EEG results to confirm, because he is a mandatory reporter.2. How do I keep myself from panicking until I see him again in 6 weeks to get the test results and start on new medications?By knowing that the correct treatment will ease your symptoms do you can have a symptom free life.3. I'm anxious about the EEG scheduled next week. Will this induce a seizure and affect me longer than a day? The test is designed to observe electrical brain activity after certain triggers. It induces abnormal brain activity IF you have epilepsy. Most of the time they get what they need and no big seizures are provoked, they typically get little ones that only the EEG can detect, but no one can see. No, it should not affect you. My son has had five EEGs and he walked out of their like a boss, no problems. 4. If he does diagnose me with epilepsy, does that mean he will have to report it to the DMV and that my license will get automatically suspended at first? (I live in California). I'm scared what that means for my ability to go to work since I live so far away, especially if it's an automatic suspension that I won't have time to repeal.Correct. In CA you will get a medical license suspension that will last one year. There are no appeals. It is the law. Once the year has elapsed, your doctor signs a paper and your license is reinstated. You will have to do this every year. If you get a new blackout (those are seizures) then your license goes for another year. I know it is inconvenient but you already got into a car accident because of this. 5. I'm trying to get a new job and even have a job interview later in the week after my EEG. Is this diagnosis something I should be upfront about if I receive a job offer? Keep your current job is my recommendation.6. Should I be changing any of my behavior? Should I be driving or going to work? I personally think you shouldn't be driving until you are treated, but that is upto your doctor and you to decide.. Yes, you should be having consistent bed times, get at least 8 hours of rest, avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.Good luckPs/ my son went through a couple of years of random Infrequent fainting episodes before he got a big seizure and thus diagnosed with epilepsy. No one knew why he would faint or vomit. I was told it was hormones, sugar spells, syncope , allergies and a bunch of other stupidity. It was epileosy all along and no one suspected despite of me going to doctors for years. I wish they would have figure out sooner and me not have to wait until he got one big seizure one day when he could not fight it any longer.

1. Did my neurologist diagnose me with epilepsy?Officially Not YET. Epilepsy is the likely culprit of your symptoms but your doctor needs to wait for the results of your EEG. Note that it may take more than one EEG. Lamictal is used in migraine/mood disorders, but it is also used as an anticonvulsant. He is right, lamictal has kept you from developing worse symptopns but it is not the correct treatment for you given your worsening symptoms. So unofficially yes, he suspects epilepsy which is consistent with your medical history and symptoms, just waiting for your EEG results to confirm, because he is a mandatory reporter.2. How do I keep myself from panicking until I see him again in 6 weeks to get the test results and start on new medications?By knowing that the correct treatment will ease your symptoms do you can have a symptom free life.3. I'm anxious about the EEG scheduled next week. Will this induce a seizure and affect me longer than a day? The test is designed to observe electrical brain activity after certain triggers. It induces abnormal brain activity IF you have epilepsy. Most of the time they get what they need and no big seizures are provoked,  they typically get little ones that only the EEG can detect, but no one can see. No, it should not affect you. My son has had five EEGs and he walked out of their like a boss, no problems. 4. If he does diagnose me with epilepsy, does that mean he will have to report it to the DMV and that my license will get automatically suspended at first? (I live in California). I'm scared what that means for my ability to go to work since I live so far away, especially if it's an automatic suspension that I won't have time to repeal.Correct. In CA you will get a medical license suspension that will last one year. There are no appeals. It is the law. Once the year has elapsed, your doctor signs a paper  and your license is reinstated. You will have to do this every year. If you get a new blackout (those are seizures) then your license goes for another year. I know it is inconvenient but you already got into a car accident because of this. 5. I'm trying to get a new job and even have a job interview later in the week after my EEG. Is this diagnosis something I should be upfront about if I receive a job offer? Keep your current job is my recommendation.6. Should I be changing any of my behavior? Should I be driving or going to work? I personally think you shouldn't be driving until you are treated, but that is upto your doctor and you to decide.. Yes, you should be having consistent bed times, get at least 8 hours of rest, avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.Good luckPs/ my son went through a couple of years of random Infrequent fainting episodes before he got a big seizure and thus diagnosed with epilepsy. No one knew why he would faint or vomit. I was told it was hormones, sugar spells, syncope , allergies and a bunch of other stupidity. It was epileosy all along and no one suspected despite of me going to doctors for years. I wish they would have figure out sooner and me not have to wait until he got one big seizure one day when he could not fight it any longer.

1. Did my neurologist diagnose me with epilepsy?Officially Not YET. Epilepsy is the likely culprit of your symptoms but your doctor needs to wait for the results of your EEG. Note that it may take more than one EEG. Lamictal is used in migraine/mood disorders, but it is also used as an anticonvulsant. He is right, lamictal has kept you from developing worse symptopns but it is not the correct treatment for you given your worsening symptoms. So unofficially yes, he suspects epilepsy which is consistent with your medical history and symptoms, just waiting for your EEG results to confirm, because he is a mandatory reporter.2. How do I keep myself from panicking until I see him again in 6 weeks to get the test results and start on new medications?By knowing that the correct treatment will ease your symptoms do you can have a symptom free life.3. I'm anxious about the EEG scheduled next week. Will this induce a seizure and affect me longer than a day? The test is designed to observe electrical brain activity after certain triggers. It induces abnormal brain activity IF you have epilepsy. Most of the time they get what they need and no big seizures are provoked, they typically get little ones that only the EEG can detect, but no one can see. No, it should not affect you. My son has had five EEGs and he walked out of their like a boss, no problems. 4. If he does diagnose me with epilepsy, does that mean he will have to report it to the DMV and that my license will get automatically suspended at first? (I live in California). I'm scared what that means for my ability to go to work since I live so far away, especially if it's an automatic suspension that I won't have time to repeal.Correct. In CA you will get a medical license suspension that will last one year. There are no appeals. It is the law. Once the year has elapsed, your doctor signs a paper and your license is reinstated. You will have to do this every year. If you get a new blackout (those are seizures) then your license goes for another year. I know it is inconvenient but you already got into a car accident because of this. 5. I'm trying to get a new job and even have a job interview later in the week after my EEG. Is this diagnosis something I should be upfront about if I receive a job offer? Keep your current job is my recommendation.6. Should I be changing any of my behavior? Should I be driving or going to work? I personally think you shouldn't be driving until you are treated, but that is upto your doctor and you to decide.. Yes, you should be having consistent bed times, get at least 8 hours of rest, avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.Good luckPs/ my son went through a couple of years of random Infrequent fainting episodes before he got a big seizure and thus diagnosed with epilepsy. No one knew why he would faint or vomit. I was told it was hormones, sugar spells, syncope , allergies and a bunch of other stupidity. It was epileosy all along and no one suspected despite of me going to doctors for years. I wish they would have figure out sooner and me not have to wait until he got one big seizure one day when he could not fight it any longer.

Partial seizures (or focal

Submitted by jgretsch on Sun, 2017-04-30 - 14:26

Partial seizures (or focal seizures) means the seizure starts on one side of the brain, as opposed to a generalized seizure that begins on both sides of the brain. Partial (focal) seizures are then further defined by whether the person remains aware or has impaired awareness during the event. Seizures can start in one area of the brain (partial/focal) and then spread to both sides of the brain and become generalized. Learn more about types of seizures here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/new-terms-seizure-classification

Scared & Confused..Did my doctor say I have epilepsy?

Comments

No. The neurologist is

Submitted by Tadzio on Fri, 2017-04-28 - 18:09

1. Did my neurologist

Submitted by mereloaded on Fri, 2017-04-28 - 18:48

Partial seizures (or focal

Submitted by jgretsch on Sun, 2017-04-30 - 14:26

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