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.

Possible Simple Partial Seizures?

Mon, 06/29/2015 - 08:49

Hey guys!

I am new here, and I joined to see what you guys think before seeing my doctor next week. I am a nighteen year old female, in healthy condition, apart from exercise-induced asthma.

For quite a few years, when I go from a lying/sitting down position to a standing one quickly, I loose my sense of hearing and my vision goes black. This usually lasts for a few seconds, but it has been known to last over 20 seconds, and I have collapsed once before due to extreme dizziness. My doctor said my blood pressure drops significantly when I stand, and diagnosed it as orthostatic hypotension.

Then, three years ago, I went away with my family, and I went on an extreme rollarcoastal. When I suddenly went upside, I lost my hearing and my vision went white. I had 'visions' in front of me, I saw my two cousins, smelt the beach and was thinking a lot of icecream. I think I was out of it for between 10-20 seconds. When I came out of it, I saw where I was, but had no idea where I was, and it took a few seconds to remember what was happening and why I was on a rollarcoaster. I felt dizzy for the rest of the day, and fell asleep early. I had always thought it was because of my blood pressure lowering due to going upsidedown, and didn't think twice about it.

Yesterday, I was at a cheerleading competition, and awards were on, and I was sitting down. They announced that one of our teams had won, and I started screaming and clapping excitedly. I had a feeling of lightheadedness, and then suddenly all noise disappeared and was replaced with a flattone, like that of a dead heart beat on a monitor. My vision went white again, I saw my same two cousins and smelt the beach. I could make out of what was happening, but didn't take in any visual information. My friend who was sitting next to me said one second I was screaming and clapping, and the next I just suddenly stopped and starred ahead of me. She was tapping my knee and saying my name trying to get my attention but I didn't respond. It felt then as everything I was seeing was slowing down, and I landed back into present time. It took me a few second to realise where I was, and I had a headache for the rest of the day and again fell alseep early. 

I don't think the two are related, but I have no idea what bought on the episode I had yesterday and its weird that both times the same things happened during the episodes. It really scared me, so I made a doctors appointment as soon as I could, but the earliest I could get was next week. I'm not worried about it happening again, the last two were three years apart.

But it got me thinking, and I realised I have other "feelings," where I'll be usually overlooking the city from high up and listening to a calming song, and then suddenly I get this large overwhelming feeling of happiness that lasts about ten seconds. I stop talking and just stare, and sometimes I have cried, all for no apart reason. Then the feeling is gone. It doesn't happen often, usually every one-two months, and when I am driving, however it has never effected my driving as I am conscious and aware the whole time. Its just my feelings and thoughts that change.

Is it possible they are all related, or just normal things that happen? I'm not as such concerned, just want to know if it may be possible that after one of these episodes a larger seizure may follow, or if there are ways to avoid it, such as not screaming. Thanks so much in advance :)

Comments

Hi,  Some people have

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2015-06-30 - 12:44
Hi,  Some people have epilepsy that can be triggered by emotion, espeically excitement. It sounds like you might be describing absence seizures, in which people sit and stare blankly and then get tired afterwards. The same smells and images can be auras, which is what happens right before (it's always the last thing I remember) the brain goes into a seizure. It is definitely worth sitting down with a neurologist and talking through your symptoms to see what he or she thinks. They might order an EEG for you that will help them understand what happen inside your brain when you experience these feelings. Definitely worth checking out and giving yourself some peace of mind.Best of luck, Ryan

Hey,I agree with Ryan. I have

Submitted by ruby_rose@windowslive.com on Sat, 2015-07-04 - 05:57
Hey,I agree with Ryan. I have complex partial seizures and have had 5 tonic clonic seizures in my life. I'm 21 and have been having these for about 14 years that i can remember, and i thought they were absence seizures until i had a full blown tonic clonic seizure about 6 weeks ago, thats what made me go to the doctor and look further into it. Also with females its a development thing and if you notice its worse when you are menstrual then it might be worth going to your doctor about, but also it sounds like low blood pressure. It never hurts to go to the doc tho, good luck.

Sign Up for Emails

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