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Seizures and Anxiety/Panic Attacks
Wed, 11/18/2015 - 13:06I just learned about seizures a few months ago. Although not officially diagnosed by a doctor, I get absence seizures daily and partial seizures (where I smell garlic/onion, get dizzy, feel “off”, feel nauseous, and get a headache) once every other week approximately. I also have some days where my head just feels off and I cannot focus on anything and I feel dizzy throughout the whole day and I don’t feel “normal” until the next day. Those happen more on weekends so I literally do nothing all day. If I have to work, I avoid talking to people much and just keep to myself. The absence seizures, well I know I’ve had those since I was a teen (I’m 25 years old now). I didn’t realize what they were until I mentioned something to my partner who knows a lot about epilepsy. I go to a walk-in clinic regularly and my kind of new family doctor got me an appointment for an MRI. I’m waiting for the results. I assume, after that, that I will go see a neurologist?
The other thing is I’m working to get treated for anxiety/panic attacks which also happen regularly. I probably get a panic attack every other day (at least as of the past few months). The doctor has prescribed me some SSRIs and SNRIs, two have been unsuccessful so far. I haven’t been able to take them past one or two days as they make me soooo incredibly sick. The side effect for SSRIs and SNRIs is lowering your seizure threshold which of course I’m worried about. I’ve never had a grand mal seizure however I am worried about these anxiety meds increasing the chance of a grand mal seizure.
If I end up getting on some meds for seizures, most of them increase anxiety/panic attacks. I don’t want to be on all sorts of meds and combine all sorts of things. I want to still be able to do normal things like take cold/flu meds when I’m sick, drink alcohol occasionally (I’m not a big drinker but I drink socially a couple times a month).
I know that benzos are an option but they are more of a last resort, I don’t want to be on benzos for life, but they are something that would help with both seizures and anxiety/panic attacks. Are there other meds that can help with both? I'm still learning about all these things... it's new to me!