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Things seem different now.

Fri, 09/29/2006 - 22:13
Hello, there. First, a bit about me. I'm a 24 year old guy whose past six weeks have been dominated by about a dozen or so seizures and a diagnosis of epilepsy (and all the ups and downs that come with that). I'm on medication, and it's working very well. However, things seem different now -- especially after one bad day. Late last week, I had four seizures in one day...and now I don't recall anything about that day (except some sketchy things in the morning). Ever since then, things around me have seemed different and out of place...and I have felt empty. I can't really think of a more apt word to describe how I feel. At first, I thought I was just hugry. It's the kind of "empty" that resembles how your stomach dips and head aches after you've missed a meal or two and just want to eat. But, eating doesn't fix it. Once I've come to appreciate how out of place the things and people and emotions around me seem, I know something is different (but can't articulate WHAT exactly) -- and this makes me think it's related to this empty feeling. I feel it in my throat, too. Just a slight pressure...almost an anxiety, but I'm not anxious. Just a heightened awareness that I'm not quite myself. It's not quite depression -- been down that road, too. Is it possible something was re-wired last week? Damaged? Temporarily squelched? (The neurologist says I'm having complex partial seizures, if that's at all helpful.) Everything I'm "familiar" with now seems a million miles away -- work, friends, family, emotions, material things, actions like riding in a car -- it all feels...wrong. I'm hoping someone can relate to this experience. The truth is, I'm hoping someone will say that it's normal, so that I can finally leave my neurologist alone. :) Thanks for listening.

Comments

Re: Things seem different now.

Submitted by forestams on Mon, 2006-10-02 - 18:53
Hey there- as long as those feelings are temporary then yes, they can be from your seizures- or from something very big and strange such as this epilepsy diagnosis creeping into your life. I kinda felt different after they decided to switch from "seizure disorder" to "epilepsy" as if NOW i am sick and i was not before. There are many days and many moments when I feel a million miles away from everyone and everything around me just lost in my own mind and well not even in a sad way just in a I wish I didn't have to go home and take my pills tonite kinda way. It's always made me feel different. In a way that's hard to explain because there's no way that any 'normal' person would be able to understand or feel the oddity of a seizure or the lack of control that comes with them sometimes. But think of those days when nothing happens and you are perfectly normal and almost bored with your life- that's when I get a little smile as if I have a dirty little secret ;) Don't know if this helped but it helps everyone on this website just to type sometimes- I hope you have been well since your post! Amanda

Re: Things seem different now.

Submitted by motherearth52 on Tue, 2006-10-10 - 17:36
Since my latest round of grand mals in July I feel pretty much like you do and for the life of me I can't seem to explain it; and when I try it gets too frustrating. I have folks say they understand but really, how can they if they have never experienced it?? I don't understand it so how can they? My neuro says be patient; it will get better...memory, feelings. ok, when?? As far as normal...don't relate to that word anymore. Nothing seems normal in my world. Please take care and hopefully you will feel better soon.

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