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Seizures?

Wed, 11/16/2005 - 13:30
Hi to all of you. I have a similar situation to several people posting on this site. My eeg and MRI came back normal, but I have exhibited symptoms of seizures. For the past several months I have been having periods of blacking out. This has happened at home, at friend's homes, at work, even at the grocery store. I am told that I sometimes mumble, have a blank stare in my eyes, say odd things, or may walk around with no definate destination. I am told that I am either unresponsive or mumble in reply during these times.I am unconsious during these periods of time. I am told that this lasts 2 or 3 minutes. These episodes will come upon me suddenly with no warning. Quite a few of them have occured within a week of the start of that time of the month. I have had a long history of depression and anxiety problems, but nothing like the symptoms I am having now. I am on medication for my depression. However, there is also a history of epilepsy in my family. I have an uncle that had convulsive seizures as a child and the type where you blackout for a few seconds as an adult. I also had a cousin that had nighttime seizures as a child. Since I do have a history of depression and emotional problems, the first place I went to was a mental health clinic. Ihave been under stress lately. They suggested that I go to a neurologist. I went to one and they did an MRI and EEG. Those tests came back normal. The neorologist does not think it is seizures I am having. He mentioned something to me about still having my coodination. Does one lose coordination when they have epilepsy? Given the side effects of anit-epileptic medications, I understand the doctor's hesitation to prescribe something if he thinks it is more psychological than physical. I would like some feedback from others. Thanks TLH

Comments

Re: Seizures?

Submitted by txrhb1 on Wed, 2005-11-16 - 16:58

Hi TLH, It is not uncommon for both an MRI and an EEG to come back normal, even in a person with confirmed epilepsy. Many people have a normal EEG, unless they are actively seizing. From what you describe, it definitely sounds like it could be a seizure. Many people retain the ability to walk, sit up, etc. during a complex partial seizure - me being one of them. A complex partial seizure is when your consciousness is impaired. I get the blank stare, fumble with my hands, and am totally unresponsive to any outside stimulus during a seizure, and then it usually takes me a while to return to normal. With your history of family epilepsy, you might want to pursue an opinion with an epileptologist. An epileptologist is a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy. My MRI 2 years ago, done by a neurologist, was normal. My MRI done 7 months ago by an epileptologist, did show a lesion. There is a special MRI that should be done, and my neuro didn't do it that way. Again though, you may still have a normal MRI. other possibilities include an ambulatory or video eeg. Check out all the links on the main page of www.epilepsy.com. There is excellent information on types of seizures, treatment, diagnostic testing etc. Good luck to you, and glad to see you here in the forum, Barbie

Hi TLH, It is not uncommon for both an MRI and an EEG to come back normal, even in a person with confirmed epilepsy. Many people have a normal EEG, unless they are actively seizing. From what you describe, it definitely sounds like it could be a seizure. Many people retain the ability to walk, sit up, etc. during a complex partial seizure - me being one of them. A complex partial seizure is when your consciousness is impaired. I get the blank stare, fumble with my hands, and am totally unresponsive to any outside stimulus during a seizure, and then it usually takes me a while to return to normal. With your history of family epilepsy, you might want to pursue an opinion with an epileptologist. An epileptologist is a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy. My MRI 2 years ago, done by a neurologist, was normal. My MRI done 7 months ago by an epileptologist, did show a lesion. There is a special MRI that should be done, and my neuro didn't do it that way. Again though, you may still have a normal MRI. other possibilities include an ambulatory or video eeg. Check out all the links on the main page of www.epilepsy.com. There is excellent information on types of seizures, treatment, diagnostic testing etc. Good luck to you, and glad to see you here in the forum, Barbie

Hi TLH, well, dagnabit - I

Submitted by txrhb1 on Wed, 2005-11-16 - 16:58
Hi TLH, well, dagnabit - I don't know how I posted this twice - sorry bout that!! Barbie

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Submitted by abrannon1227 on Wed, 2005-11-16 - 18:56
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