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.

"Gazes" getting scary...

Thu, 06/22/2006 - 08:56
Good Morning - I had a question about my staring episodes... Growing up I've always had the habit of my eyes getting stuck in a gaze for about 30 seconds or so. I've always remained completely aware of my surroundings during these 'gazes', but I become slow in my speech and anything i'm doing with my hands, and it would always happen during class or at my desk at work - mostly I guess when i'm bored or tired. And in a weird way, these gazes are relaxing for me because that's the way my entire body responds - just relaxed. And although I am able to force myself to "snap out of it", I hate to do that because the harder the gaze, the harder it is to snap out of it. But recently, it's been happening A LOT while i'm actively doing something and it's becoming a little scary. It ALWAYS happens now while i'm driving which is no good because I can still move the wheel but my eyes are stuck in one place and I can't really pay attention to the road like I need to. And like i said, it's getting harder and harder to snap out of it (not because it hurts or anything, but as I mentioned before, it makes my body so relaxed that it's like I almost don't have the energy to snap out of it). I've read up on Atypical Absence Seizures and it kind of sounds like what i'm experiencing, but this never happened THAT MUCH as a child, and I always have recollection of what went on (when I'm around people and i start to gaze, I actually say "hey look, my eyes are stuck again" so I know I'm fully aware of what's going on) *I'm here at work and I just caught one of those gazes and since I had to force myself to snap out of it, I feel like it's going to happen again because 'I interrupted it'...feels like my brain is still stuck on wanting to get...stuck!** Should I see a specialist about this? Any advice would help...thank you all...apologies for the lengthy post!

Comments

Re: "Gazes" getting scary...

Submitted by fzMousie on Thu, 2006-06-22 - 09:29
Talk to your doctor first and maybe ask for some tests to rule things out. It's possible that you are actually blanking out but do not remember blanking out. I do not remember blanking out, but when I do blank out, I remember the moments before as a staring spell. Keep a list or a journal for a few weeks and try record as much as you can about your episodes. Then take it to your doctor and ask him or her to help you figure out what is going on. Don't take "Oh, you're fine" as an answer. :P I use my blog on here as my journal to record as much as possible about my episodes. I copy it into my seizure journal, which comes with me to the doctor. It's really helpful to be able to look at my journal and say "this is what happened on this day", because I have a terrible memory and don't always remember things like I should. good luck.

Re: "Gazes" getting scary...

Submitted by rebpow on Thu, 2006-06-22 - 11:36
Wow. I never thought I would hear anyone describe so well what happens to me. Yours sound a bit more intense than mine, but my staring spells have become more noticable lately since I started having patial seizure in February. The staring thing has been more pronounce & difficult to snap out of. You hit the nail on the head when you said it is relaxing. I remember doing it as a child and always being told to snap out of it. It used to be that when I noticed someone looking at me when I was staring that I would stop immediatly, but now it's like it feels so soothing that it takes me an extra moment or two to tear myself away from whatever it is that's caught my gaze. I don't ever want to talk during it though because it would disrupt that calming stillnes. I'm sorry I don't have any advice, but I just wanted to respond to let you know you're not the only one. That has always been reassuring for me. Best of luck, Reb

Re: Re: "Gazes" getting scary...

Submitted by yon on Wed, 2006-06-28 - 17:08
wow ! me 2 background. After 3 years of fainting, I was diagnosed as having partial complex syndrome. I now take lamictal, 225 *2 a day - and I have not fainted for a year. One of the side affects I have is what I call staring - but I think gazing is a better word. I don't think I feel relaxed about it - but shaking my head clears it - at least for a while. It seems to come in spurts. I'm wondering if this is because of the epilepsy or the Lamictal - was hoping the latter since I assume that if it is the epilepsy then It's perminent.... Aren't you scared to drive ....

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.