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.
What is an aura?
Fri, 10/05/2007 - 21:53Can anyone tell me what exactly an aura is? I've had epilepsy since I was 5 and all I have been able to explain to the many neurologists I've seen when they ask if I have any "auras" are what I call "seizures to get rid of". I know that sounds funny, but the only way to describe them is that they're like a seizure only 1/2 second and just interupts my vision like a camera flash. This can happen up to three days before an actual seizure or sometimes I have a full seizure without any warning. I have never had any weird smells or feelings if that's even what an aura is. If someone has any feedback so I could tell my new neurologist, that would be great.
Comments
Re: Camera flash - I know what
Submitted by kcharb on Sat, 2007-10-06 - 00:07
Glad to hear your response. I don't feel so in the dark now. Every time I've tried to explain these to my neurologist, she looks at me like I'm loony(lol).
Re: Re: Camera flash - I know what
Submitted by solis on Sat, 2007-10-06 - 01:39
Actually 'aura' is just the the name given to simple partial seizures if/when they preceed a complex partial or a generalized seizure. And as was indicated, the interim time between those events can be hours or days.
http://www.epilepsy.com/101/ep101_symptom.html
Camera flash - I know what
Submitted by Eternal howl on Fri, 2007-10-05 - 23:41
Camera flash - I know what you're talking about. I get that AS the aura before the seizure. It's sometimes a very faint 'flash' though. But that's one of my auras and it's like the spark before the sparks let loose and go haywire. Auras can come in all shapes and sizes. It's a warning. Some warnings can preceed a seizure by seconds, minutes, or as in your case days. And some people don't get warnings at all. Some auras aren't auras but are their own seizure. It's VERY complex. Migraine sufferers sometimes experience auras before their migraine starts. Aura types vary from person to person - just like the seizure. Smells, sounds, shortness of breath, sickness etc. Mine are very subtle and involve my perception. It's like a millisecond (if that) break in the transmission, and sometimes I think my brain tries to correct it so I don't notice it, but I do notice and that's when I take time from what I'm doing (work etc) and just wait for the seizure to kick in and pass so I can carry on. I referred to these last time I was at the neurologist, as brainfarts - He liked that term ;)