Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Feeling strange
Wed, 02/09/2005 - 21:03Topic: Family & Friends
I was shocked yesterday when I read about someone's personal experience with auras on epilepsy.com. What was so shocking is that I experinced the EXACT SAME THING! When I was a teen, I distinctly remember having deja vu experiences constantly. I was absolutely convinced that these deja vu's were me remembering dreams from years before, I remember telling someone about it even. I thought that I was dreaming these exact moments- thoughts and circumstances.These were actually simple partial seizures...I didn't know that!! I thought that everything began when I was 20 and waiting tables. Wrong! Now, I know that I was having seizures at least 5 years prior. Thinking about that just kind of freaks me out! Maybe I was having complex partials then too, and no one ever told me.I just feel a little weird now...Heather
Comments
RE:deja vu
Submitted by mommy2kyra on Tue, 2004-04-27 - 10:27
Brandy,I am curious if your doctor was speaking about your particular seizure disorder, or about all seizure disorders. That seems strange that your doctor would make such a blanket statement about all people with epilepsy...there are ALL kinds of seizures out there.In my case, I have complex partial seizures which are preceeded by an "aura". This aura is what I've always called a scary deja vu...scary because I know what's going to happen next! I had always thought that this was the beginning of my complex partial...however, the description of different types of seizures on epilepsy.com is distinct. It says that the aura is a simple partial seizure. Some people just have the simple partial. Others go on to the complex partial. From that point, it may also secondarily generalize (become a grand mal). Check out your type/s of seizure on epilepsy.com and see what it says. You may also want to read what it says about simple partials and see if you are experiencing any of those symptoms. In many cases, doctors only know what we experience by our description of it. I plan on asking my neuro additional questions about it the next time we meet.Heather
RE:deja vu
Submitted by seeker2 on Tue, 2004-04-27 - 18:37
Hi Heather. You are right in what you are saying.Some people do just get the aura preceding the simple partial,some get both that then secondarily generalises into a seizure....the extract below is from the simple partial description."I almost enjoy them. The feeling of déja vu, as if I've lived through this moment and I even know what's going to be said next. Everything seems brighter and more alive."http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_simplepartial.html some just get the deja vue/jamais vue experience ..Of course that depends on who you are talking to,and their age.I find that if you talk to the parents of kids,the kids can give you a fairly good description of what they experience prior to the event,what they are doing that can acerbate the experience.With some kids it's as if they almost enjoy the experience and miss it if it goes away in some cases,as in the above example,though he's an adult...Some adults find that mundane things like folding the laundry or even taking a bath or shower can act as a trigger.Others music,reading,certain paintings etc.There is a whole list of known triggers.Another good idea is to do a google search on this..
RE:deja vu
Submitted by doggytails on Mon, 2004-04-26 - 18:08
I have a question....I was told by my doctor that deja vu in people with Epilepsy is where the mind takes an image an re-creates the image(s) that we are currently looking at or have just looked at. I was told it is NOT a seizure. When I was first diagnosed I had this quite often and I inquired. If this is wrong, please tell me. My doctor was one of the first to do open brain surgury so I trust what he says.Brandy