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Is it REALLY Epilepsy???? I feel like I'm going crazy!

Tue, 03/14/2006 - 21:23
Hi! My name is Shannon and I have recently been diagnosed with Epilepsy(complex-partial seizures). I feel like the diagnosis could be wrong, mainly because my symptoms seem to be slightly different than what some of the definitions state. Sometimes, well, much of the time after the seizures, I just wonder if I'm going nuts! These began about 2 1/2 years ago, after the birth of my 2nd child. They happened mainly while driving. I would get this deja vu/ jamais vu feeling, but I would not lose consciousness. I just felt really wierd. It would pass in a few seconds. As time has gone on, they have progressed to where I know completely black-out/ faint. I get the same deja vu/ jamais vu sensation, which I am told by neurologists is an aura, and I quick have to go to lay down because I know I'm going to pass out. When I pass out, I feel as if I'm in a dream-like state, not aware of anything around me really, but aware of something. Sometimes I "dream" but do not recall what I dreamed about when the episode is over. I feel like I'm out for just a few seconds, which from those who've seen it happen say the same. Nobody has seen me make the automasims that some talk about, like lip-smacking, etc. I had an EEG done about a month ago and it was normal, as well as an MRI a couple weeks ago, which was also normal. The dr's tell me roughly 50% of people diagnosed with Epilepsy have no cause involved, that is, show no signs of why this is occuring. They just go based on the symptoms patients tell them. I am pregnant with my 3rd (and last!) child and the neurologists want me to begin taking Dilantin until I have the baby, then switch to Tegratol, which they say is best for complex-partial seizures. I have so far refused to take the meds for fear of side effects/ long-term implications. I would much appreciate feedback on this. One of the neurologists said taking a magnesium supp wouldn't hurt, so I began taking 250 mg about 2 weeks ago. I didn't have any episodes for about a week, but they started up again about 4 days ago. One thing that I find strange is all of my episodes generally begin in the bathroom when I am getting out of the shower. They also occur at night when I get my kids out of the shower. I'd say 95% of them begin in either of these 2 ways. I have not had one while driving in about 2 years, but have had one while walking in the mall (fell down when I passed out) and recently 2 in my sleep (they did wake me up and I had the uneasy feeling I always have after they're over). So, that's my story. I hope to learn a lot on here and would appreciate any advice/opinions/stories from anybody who experiences similar happenings. Thanks! Shannon

Comments

Re: Is it REALLY Epilepsy???? I feel like I'm going crazy!

Submitted by angel_lts on Wed, 2006-03-15 - 08:29
Hi Shannon, I want to say, while you are pregnant you should ask your doctor about folic acid and mulitvitamin. It is important during pregnancy. As for diantin, my sister(has epilepsy) was on it while pregnant. No big harm to her babies.(short finger nails on one daughter) But of course everyone is different. I was on tegretal for all four of my babies. Two have a bit of a learning disability. But you should take some form of medication. It can help so you dont harm the baby if you fell. Better be safe than sorry. Maybe you will only have to take a small dose to help control these seizures. And remember during your pregnancy, your hormones are changing, COULD cause more seizures. During every change in your body, seizures can change too. Is it seizures??, its possible. But make sure you have blood sugar level checked, magnesium, calcium, vit d, iron, for all of these can cause seizures. As for the EEG and MRI, they can come up normal and still you have a problem. You say you pass out. ANd that you have complex partial seizures. When you "pass out" or "black out" you are probably are having generalized seizures, if you have epilepsy. take care lisa http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/

Re: Re: Is it REALLY Epilepsy???? I feel like I'm going crazy!

Submitted by 2life on Tue, 2006-03-21 - 12:51
hi. i am constantly surfing the web to find out what wrong with me too. i get mine alot when i eat. i actually found something about eating epilepsy but also saw something about hot water epilepsy. so i guess there are just so many triggered by so many things. surf the web for hotwater epilepsy? you reminded me of that when u mention about getting out of the shower.just a thought. take care

Re: Re: Re: Is it REALLY Epilepsy???? I feel like I'm going craz

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2006-03-21 - 13:52
Running water has been reported to trigger seizures in some. Making sure someone is around when a person takes a shower, and using earplugs during showers has been used by a few. This isn't common trigger but talking to doctor about it would be wise. Epi_help

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