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Scared & Confused..Did my doctor say I have epilepsy?

Fri, 04/28/2017 - 01:07
I have bipolar 2 disorder and have been experiencing a nonstop tingling sensation over my entire body since November. I thought it was due to my medications, but stopping the meds didn't make the tingling go away. I got an MRI and saw a neurologist. The neurologist said I have dark spots on my parietal lobe, which could indicate scar tissue. He did a thorough exam and asked me a lot of questions. I told him I have a history of fainting my entire life (at least 12 times since I was 7, occurs about every 2 years). The last time I fainted was 2 years ago at work. Fainting runs in my family and we've all had several types of tests done and doctors have never found anything. I described all this to him, and my night terrors, and my trouble concentrating at work and light sensitivity and my migraines. Putting it all together, a lot of my experiences do sound similar to seizures and epilepsy. At the end of the appointment, he told me he thinks I have a seizure disorder and told me to research "partial epilepsy." He said he wasn't going to put a diagnosis in my chart yet because then he would have to report it and he wants to confirm with an EEG. He said even if the EEG came back negative, he wants me to come back in 6 weeks and start me on new meds. He said the Lamictal I'm taking for my bipolar is "what's saving me." So, did he diagnose me with epilepsy? It sounds like no matter how the EEG turns out, he's going to put me on different anti-seizure medications to treat me. Does this non-stop tingling sensation mean I've been having non-stop seizures for months? He asked if they got worse when I have migraines and they do. I also have a lot of anxiety, feel hot and over-stimulated, and can't concentrate at work sometimes. I researched parietal lobe epilepsy and that turns out to be one of the rarer forms, so it's difficult for me to understand what's going on. I don't know how to process what he told me and since I have bipolar and am already in the process of changing my medications, I'm left with a lot of anxiety and am scared about this diagnosis. On the one hand, it could be very positive because it would explain a lot of symptoms I've had that I've attributed to medication side effects. On the other hand, parietal lobe epilepsy is rare and the information I can find on it varies and I'm not sure if it explains this nonstop tingling. I'm also scared of the long-term implications of this diagnosis. Either way, I'm terrified. I'm scared to drive to work on my 65 mile commute to work each day. I'm scared that if I feel overstimulated at work again or get a migraine, that I will get into a car accident because that's what happened a month ago when I felt that way. And my migraines have gotten worse over the past several weeks, most likely due partly to the stress of all this. I don't know how to process this. "Partial epilepsy" doesn't appear to be a thing. I'm guessing he means "partial seizures," but I also have complete fainting episodes where I get a feeling of weightlessness in the pit of my stomach, followed by complete lack of consciousness, followed by bursting into tears, feeling confused, and overwhelmed, and also very sweaty, pale, and clammy. After researching epilepsy, these do sound very similar to generalized seizures. My doctor said when the seizure spreads to both hemispheres of my brain, that's when I would faint. So my questions are: 1. Did my neurologist diagnose me with epilepsy? 2. How do I keep myself from panicking until I see him again in 6 weeks to get the test results and start on new medications? 3. I'm anxious about the EEG scheduled next week. Will this induce a seizure and affect me longer than a day? He told me to stop taking my medications a couple days before the EEG and so I'm scared what that will do to my moods. 4. If he does diagnose me with epilepsy, does that mean he will have to report it to the DMV and that my license will get automatically suspended at first? (I live in California). I'm scared what that means for my ability to go to work since I live so far away, especially if it's an automatic suspension that I won't have time to repeal. 5. I'm trying to get a new job and even have a job interview later in the week after my EEG. Is this diagnosis something I should be upfront about if I receive a job offer? I'm scared that my license will get suspended and that I won't be able to work because of it. I'm also scared of how the extra stress of transitioning to a new job will affect my health, along with all the adjustments to my medications. I've read mixed responses about telling a potential employer and have had similar experiences with my bipolar disorder. I currently have an accommodation plan at work due to my disorder, but my manager does not know what my diagnosis is because that's not required by the ADA standards. 6. Should I be changing any of my behavior? Should I be driving or going to work? I'm currently allowed to work from home as needed and I'm not sure if I should do that or if I should try to "act normal." I gave my boss a head's up that I'm going through additional medical issues, but I feel guilty for not coming in to work. Clearly I'm overwhelmed by all of this and it's not helping that I already have bipolar disorder and am in the process of weaning off of one of my medications (Wellbutrin - because it lowers the seizure threshold). I don't know what to do and I feel like talking with my partner or friends about it doesn't help as much because they can't really understand all of what I'm going through. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I don't know how to go through the next month until my next appointment. Thank you, S

Comments

partial seizures...partial

Submitted by Amy Jo on Fri, 2017-04-28 - 01:55
partial seizures...partial epilepsy - tomato...tomahtoe but same things. epilepsy language changes over time and has people of all ages using terms they feel best describe a situation but may be old terminology that's changed a few times since then.sounds like your doc is pretty sure, but not quite certain. this could affect your driving if you have a seizure or perhaps if you are diagnosed but don't have any reported seizures. but you really want issues to show up during an eeg so it can be treated properly - rock is meeting hard place there. it should not matter if your state is mandatory reporting for doc, you need to follow the law or you expose yourself to no insurance covering you if there's an accident. tell your doc that you need to drive to work a long way and that the week of the eeg you are starting a new job - call his office tomorrow and ask to talk with his nurse or on call doc, ask about alternatives that would keep you from losing jobs/licenses. it may be they can treat you as if you have epilepsy but haven't had a reported seizure (just start medication) or maybe don't take you off meds for eeg, or maybe arrange a better time. lamotrigine is one medication that's given for seizures but I think the dosage is higher when treating seizures. our 10yo takes bit over 200mg/day and that's a moderate dose, was supposed to be higher but it has some unworkable side effects for her if she takes too much, most adults take twice that. it takes a number of days to leave the bloodstream, you shouldn't be driving to/from the eeg. if you really have epilepsy, reducing medication and adding stress is good for triggering seizures, bad for work/driving.

1. Did my neurologist

Submitted by just_joe on Fri, 2017-04-28 - 13:11
1. Did my neurologist diagnose me with epilepsy? He wants to confirm before he diagnoses but from what you have posted and his telling you to research partial epilepsy he does believe that you have epilepsy. Almost everything you were posting including your fainting could be seizures or parts of seizures.2. How do I keep myself from panicking until I see him again in 6 weeks to get the test results and start on new medications?  You research and then go about your business and not think about what MAY happen because you do not know what will happen.3. The EEG is a brain wave test showing the electrical output coming from your brain. What he is wanting to see is abnormalities. Such as spikes or waves aka epileptiform or seizure activity. What starts a seizure is an electrical discharge hitting wrong. That wrong hit can start a chain reaction (the seizures) GOing without medications can help them see the electrical activity better. However I had 20 different EEG's that came back normal. I was still having seizures.4. Yes he would have to report it. He had stated he would have to report it bt wanted to comfirm it with the EEG.So understand that the neurologist has to report seizres and diagnoses because it is a law that people having seizures can not drive. Each state has time limits that a person must go without a seizure before they can get their license back.Amy Jo has some good information in her comment so do take it and use it. Rsearch what the neurologist told you toNow for the MRI "The neurologist said I have dark spots on my parietal lobe, which could indicate scar tissue. "  Scar tissue can cause electrical discharges to hit wrong. I know My epilepsy is cause by scar tissue in the left lobes of my brain.I hope this helps Joe

Any idea how to delete a post

Submitted by Sophie2017 on Fri, 2017-04-28 - 15:46
Any idea how to delete a post?

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