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Temporal Lobe epilepsy and anxiety

Sun, 12/13/2015 - 23:36
Hi everyone, I am 26 and have been suffering from simple partial seizures since I was 12. No doctors had ever diagnosed my "extreme déjà vu's" until this past January (2014) after I had my first tonic clonic (in my sleep). Thanfully this set me on the road to dagnosis. In June this year I had my 3rd tonic clonic (again, in my sleep) and was finally diagnosed and started on Lamotrigine. I have been completely seizure free for 6 months now! This is the longest I've gone in 14 years without feeling an overwhelming sensation of dejavu, or the panic and depersonalization which comes hand in hand with it. Lamotrigine is an amazing drug. I've always had general anxiety and it helps with that. Plus my mood swings from TLE are a lot more stable. The side effects of the drug are not great but it's worth it to me. I (used to, before Lamotrigine) have simple partial cluster seizures. usually for a week or two straight I'd have 10-20 of them a day, lasting 1-5 minutes each. This went on for 14 years. Other than my nocturnal grand mals, my simples are *all* the same. numbness in my head, surreal feeling, dream-like surroundings, Panic, anxiety, overwhelming fear, strong feeliNg of extreme dejavu, and i am convinced that everything that is happening was in a dream 'I had the night before'. I try to get help and am drawn to anyone whom i can cling onto for reassurance during my seizures. Afterwards I am left with an emotional numbness and sadness, and a metal taste which ruins food for days or weeks after the clusters end. I live alone and am having anxiety right now so I am seeking comfort or understanding from people who know what I'm going through. Does anyone have this type of epilepsy and symptoms? Is anyone here taking Lamotrigine and having success and/or side effects? Does anyone also suffer general anxiety? I'm new to this site and not sure where to turn or how to reach out. I just want to connect, share stories and talk to people who I know will understand where I'm coming from. Thanks :)

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