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So depressed

Fri, 07/11/2008 - 15:56

I saw a neuro guy yesterday.  Told him my symptoms.  He says I'm not having seizures because I do not lose consciousness.  He's going to give me an EEG but he says that these seizure like episodes come from stress not epilepsy and thinks I need stress management classes.

I have been going thru this mess for 12 years and the last year seems to be getting worse.  I don't have a great deal of stressors in my life most of the time and I've noticed that most of my "seizures"  don't show up when I'm in crisis.  Why is that?   I'm tense right this minute because I'm afraid that these spells are all "in my head".  I don't want to be upset but all I want to do is cry?  I am so upset about this.  And guess what? No seizure! or whatever this stupid thing is.  I feel awful.  I could use some cheering up from someone who understands...abluv

 

Comments

Re: So depressed

Submitted by Colina on Fri, 2008-07-25 - 13:33

Hi abluv. Sorry you are going through the battle to diagnosis, 12 years is too long. I have simple partial seizures in which I do not lose consciousness. These took a very long time to diagnose because my nuero, at the time, knew nothing of them. That was in the early 80's. Now I have an epilepsy specialist reffered to me by my newest nuero who admitted that his knowledge of seizures was limited.  You'd think all nueros by now would at least know that not all seizures cause a person to lose consciousness or zone out.

 Having said that, I think if your EEG comes back normal and he does no further tests you should find a new one. There is nothing worse than going through years of thinking and being told it's "all in my head" Thing is, if they are seizures and are left untreated they may get worse or progress into other types. Stress is a trigger for me but so is sleep deprivation. One of my biggest stresses in life was the actual seizures that I apparently wasn't having. 

 I suggest when you go back to the nuero that you are armed with lots of questions, info and a record of all episodes. I usualy just put a check mark on my calender when I have one but the seizure diary feature here is very helpful....check it out when you get a chance.

 Good luck with your EEG! 

Hi abluv. Sorry you are going through the battle to diagnosis, 12 years is too long. I have simple partial seizures in which I do not lose consciousness. These took a very long time to diagnose because my nuero, at the time, knew nothing of them. That was in the early 80's. Now I have an epilepsy specialist reffered to me by my newest nuero who admitted that his knowledge of seizures was limited.  You'd think all nueros by now would at least know that not all seizures cause a person to lose consciousness or zone out.

 Having said that, I think if your EEG comes back normal and he does no further tests you should find a new one. There is nothing worse than going through years of thinking and being told it's "all in my head" Thing is, if they are seizures and are left untreated they may get worse or progress into other types. Stress is a trigger for me but so is sleep deprivation. One of my biggest stresses in life was the actual seizures that I apparently wasn't having. 

 I suggest when you go back to the nuero that you are armed with lots of questions, info and a record of all episodes. I usualy just put a check mark on my calender when I have one but the seizure diary feature here is very helpful....check it out when you get a chance.

 Good luck with your EEG! 

Re: So depressed

Submitted by Maggie on Fri, 2008-07-25 - 20:29

Abluv~don't feel alone in your situation.Many of us are going through the samething or have been through it. I for one is going through it now for 4yrs. All tests are normal,so neuro won't prescribe since he says not epilepsy but are seizures, NES. Go see psychologist..nope nothing there either,go to psych..he says not psychiatric but does prescribe,lamictal,klonopin and effexor. Even though those meds can help with seizures they also have mood stabilizers etc. but the lamictal seems to help somewhat. Neuro acts like a total jerk like I am faking these..idiot! Now psych says I think depression and these are just movements (WHAT?) I think everyone has some degree of depression but I do not have alot.Nothing in my past has happened,but car accident in '04....nope cannot be that either they say! Meningioma brain tumor? Yup got that...but also cannot be that either. So please know your not crazy even though the doctors would like to make ya believe ya are. Keep a blog..notebook with the time it happened,what happened,how you felt before,after,how long it lasted ect. And I have see 4 neuros and told still to get more opinions (who cares what the docs think) ok so you think I am crazy...just fix me!!! I wish you only the best of luck~God bless you through this difficult time.Come to chat sometime it does help! Your not alone

"Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." ~Psalm 17:8

Abluv~don't feel alone in your situation.Many of us are going through the samething or have been through it. I for one is going through it now for 4yrs. All tests are normal,so neuro won't prescribe since he says not epilepsy but are seizures, NES. Go see psychologist..nope nothing there either,go to psych..he says not psychiatric but does prescribe,lamictal,klonopin and effexor. Even though those meds can help with seizures they also have mood stabilizers etc. but the lamictal seems to help somewhat. Neuro acts like a total jerk like I am faking these..idiot! Now psych says I think depression and these are just movements (WHAT?) I think everyone has some degree of depression but I do not have alot.Nothing in my past has happened,but car accident in '04....nope cannot be that either they say! Meningioma brain tumor? Yup got that...but also cannot be that either. So please know your not crazy even though the doctors would like to make ya believe ya are. Keep a blog..notebook with the time it happened,what happened,how you felt before,after,how long it lasted ect. And I have see 4 neuros and told still to get more opinions (who cares what the docs think) ok so you think I am crazy...just fix me!!! I wish you only the best of luck~God bless you through this difficult time.Come to chat sometime it does help! Your not alone

"Guard me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings." ~Psalm 17:8

Re: So depressed

Submitted by longnights on Fri, 2008-07-25 - 21:57

Man I feel so much for you guys!! It makes me mad just reading of the injustice you have all suffered. I feel really blessed with the help we've had in New Zealand.

I'm not sure how your health system works, but it must be worthwhile to see an epilepsy specialist. I could understand a primary doctor talking this way maybe, but I am really shocked that a neurologist appears to be so lacking in knowledge, understanding and compassion. They don't seem to appreciate the impact it is having on your lives.

Please keep trying. God bless you all.

LN 

Man I feel so much for you guys!! It makes me mad just reading of the injustice you have all suffered. I feel really blessed with the help we've had in New Zealand.

I'm not sure how your health system works, but it must be worthwhile to see an epilepsy specialist. I could understand a primary doctor talking this way maybe, but I am really shocked that a neurologist appears to be so lacking in knowledge, understanding and compassion. They don't seem to appreciate the impact it is having on your lives.

Please keep trying. God bless you all.

LN 

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