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Diagnosis and Treatment - New to Seizures

Thu, 03/13/2008 - 18:09

I am dealing with some frustrations regarding my recent diagnosis of "seizure disorder" as of October 2006 where I experienced a seizure. (Loss of consciousness, shaking on the ground, upon awakinging a few minutes later, I experienced extreme confusion). I was taken to the hospital, treated and released within hours.

Upon the seizure I began seeing a Neurologist. I was not to drive for a period of 6 months.My preliminary EEG showed some abnormal activity and I was put on Lamictal 200mg (later reduced to 150mg upon losing about 15 lbs and I was experiencing tremors)

 The problem I have is that 10 months prior in January of 2006, I was hospitalized for an "episode". Since I had no history of seizures at the time, I was treated for psychosis and "diagnosed" with Bipolar disorder and placed on a psychiatric ward. This was a very traumatizing event for me. I had been taking a new antidepressant at the time and had told the doctor that I felt more depressed with this medication but I followed his advice and continued taking the antidepressant (which did have psychosis and seizures as potential side effects).

Upon being diagnosed with "bipolar disorder" a psychiatrist put me on so many medications that I questioned the safty of taking so many drugs at such high dosages partuculary because of my small size and body weight . My concerns were dismissed and following the addition of a 4th medication I had my real seizure (October 2006). 

When I had my seizure in October of 2006, I began researching seizures and I found that some of my symptoms in January 2006 strongly resembled a potential aura or partial seizure (My conclusions from my research). A pungent smell in particular, loss of bladder control, no loss of consciousness, repitition of certain phrases, and extreme lack of cognitive functioning. (What do you think of these symptoms?)

Since October of 2006, I have been taking lamictal (which is also given to bipolar patients) I have been doing quite well. No real seizures.

I recently had another "episode" just last week (March 3rd 2008) and I am trying to find answers as what my real diagnosis should be. I was once again placed on a psychiatric ward with suicidal patients, young girls cutting themselves and potentially violent individuals. I do not believe that I should be treated as a psychiatric patient but because this is new to me I am having trouble finding a doctor who will listen.

My symptoms this time once again began with confusion and lack of focus at work. I did experience some hallucinations (deja vu I don't know) I did not remember a smell this time around but I experienced massive headaches within the last 4 days of my "episode". I had thrown off my schedule by taking my lamictal in the evenings. Lamictal is a stimulant for me and I could not sleep for those 4 nights.

So my question is: am I nuts or are these all seizure related issues. Because unfortunately and in all honesty, psychiatric patients are not treated the same and I could have been kept on this psychiatric ward for 2 weeks or longer (against my will). As I have said it has been such a tramatizing event (2x now) that I have been waking up these last few nights gasping out of anxiety and fear that if it happens again I am going to be placed on a ward.

So if these symptoms are related to my seizure disorder please give me some advice on how I can go about finding a doctor who will take my concerns seriously.

 

Comments

Re: Diagnosis and Treatment - New to Seizures

Submitted by SunflowerPower on Thu, 2008-03-13 - 18:53
Many people on this message board can relate to your frustrations. Diagnosis is rarely simple or straight forward.

Obviously, I have never met you and I am not a psychiatrist, so I cannot say if you have bipolar disorder or not. However, it is completely possible to have both epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Seizures can cause post-ictal psychosis and high doses of psychiatric medication can also cause seizures.

You didn't write about any symptoms that explain why they think that you are bipolar. You did mention many symptoms that sound like a seizure.

The important thing is to find a psychiatrist and a neurologist who you can trust and who will work *together* to straighten all this out. You may have to go though a few doctors until you find some good ones.

I have neurological problems and a family member of mine has psychiatric problems. I think that neuro and psych problems are some of the most frustrating and challenging to deal with. In order to get though this you really need to believe that things can and will get better. It is very difficult, but trusts me, things do get better.

You seem like a very intelligent and articulate person, and I am willing to bet that you have a bright future ahead of you.

Re: Diagnosis and Treatment - New to Seizures

Submitted by kgoldgra on Fri, 2008-03-14 - 12:14
Thank you so very much for your advice and support. Finding doctors is indeed a great difficulty,but I will try to keep my chin up. Thankfully I have a good familial support system. Thanks again, Kerri

Re: Diagnosis and Treatment - New to Seizures

Submitted by gph on Fri, 2008-05-02 - 19:10

Wow, you have a lot of the symptoms I have and similar experiences - I too was locked in a psych ward (a couple of times) and have dealt with psychiatrists with a range of diagnosis for 20 years - I finally was diagnosed with TLE last year and for the first time I am able to communicate with people who have similar symptoms.  The psychiatric patients (some of whom were very nice people - some not so nice) didn't have any of the symptoms I had.

 As for doctors, keep trying - I wish I had shopped around more 15 years ago - maybe I would have had better luck with the diagnosis. 

 I lost my license - I hope to get it back in a couple of months. 

We all need to keep hoping for the best.  I lost a lot but am finding this site helpful for venting, getting support and finding people who have similar symptoms.

Go to the TLE group - my symtoms are discussed there.

 

Gayle

Wow, you have a lot of the symptoms I have and similar experiences - I too was locked in a psych ward (a couple of times) and have dealt with psychiatrists with a range of diagnosis for 20 years - I finally was diagnosed with TLE last year and for the first time I am able to communicate with people who have similar symptoms.  The psychiatric patients (some of whom were very nice people - some not so nice) didn't have any of the symptoms I had.

 As for doctors, keep trying - I wish I had shopped around more 15 years ago - maybe I would have had better luck with the diagnosis. 

 I lost my license - I hope to get it back in a couple of months. 

We all need to keep hoping for the best.  I lost a lot but am finding this site helpful for venting, getting support and finding people who have similar symptoms.

Go to the TLE group - my symtoms are discussed there.

 

Gayle

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