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TLE - Is this what I have???

Mon, 07/10/2006 - 16:18
I beg everyone's pardon if this gets long, or is posted in the wrong place, but.., Periodically, over the last few years I've been experiencing some very peculiar 'feelings' and after the last episode, spent a great deal of time searching the world wide web for answers... These feelings start out as what is described in my reading as an 'aura,' a very strong feeling of 'deja vu' often accompanied by a very odd sense of smell and a deep rising feeling in the pit of my stomach (not unlike an overly anxious feeling). These are very subtle to begin with, but become quite a bit stronger before subsiding. During these episodes, I can hear conversation going on around me, but not comfortable enough to contribute as I'm not quite sure I understand the context of the conversation. These 'feelings' will last for only a couple minutes, but as they subside, I must stop and collect myself to recall what I was doing prior to their onset. These 'episode' only occur every two or three months (sometimes longer in between), but when they do, I can experience several throughout a 24-hour period (perhaps every few hours). Even when sleeping, I am acutely aware that they are happening. After they subside, I'm left with a very strange feeling of being disconnected (I'm sorry - this is quite hard to describe).., as if I'm remotely controlling my physical actions, including speech. This feeling will last for about another day. Please.., if anyone can offer some opinion as to what I'm experiencing, I would greatly appreciate your input.., your help. Thank you; SteveR

Comments

Re: Hi Steve, At least 1/2 of

Submitted by SteveR on Mon, 2006-07-10 - 17:42
Sol, you've been of tremendous help.., and for that, I thank you greatly. I guess the most responsible thing to do at this point is to stop ignoring the issue (or quietly worring about it from behind a keyboard) and make an appointment with a neurologist. b/r; SteveR

Re: Re: Hi Steve, At least 1/2 of

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2006-07-10 - 20:14
Welcome to Epilepsy.com. Glad you've got some info and getting things checked out for yourself! Have you had a chance to look at the "understanding seizures" animation? May be of interest to you and family. Browse around and use the forum - lots of support and experiences! Take care and good luck!

Epi_help

Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

Epi_help

Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

Re: TLE - Is this what I have???

Submitted by ritab2002 on Tue, 2006-07-11 - 13:01
Hi Steve, I, like you searched the various web pages to discover what was happening to me and my experiences were much as you describe. It took a long time to even be able to accurately understand and probably longer to tell someone legibly what had happened. I realize now that I am not as aware as I thought I was after having an episode. I also could have several of these a day but unlike you I mostly had them every day. Some left me more "out of focus" than others. All were deja vu type feelings and language based. I had a "grand mal" seizure which verified all that was happening about 1yr ago, but had the other experiences for about 3yrs. Mine are in the left temporal lobe (language based) as verified by a Neurologist who is an Epilepsy Specialist at the University where I live. Mine were diagnosed as Complex Partial not Simple Partial because although I am aware of my surroundings, I am incapacitated and cannot speak therefore my consciousness is impaired. Although I thought they only lasted 20-30 seconds it has also been verified by family and friends that usually it is 1-2 minutes and I am not able to understand what they are saying although at the time I am trying really hard and think that I do. My advice to you would be to go to a doctor and start a journal since mine did progress from the beginning of one every couple of weeks to 1-3 or more per day before the grand mal. Best wishes, Rita

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