Background

Male, 42, very active, very healthy. Drink lots
of water.
Non smoker, social drinker, non drug user.

No head injuries in the past. No birth problems.
No family
history of epilepsy.

Fairly stressful period the last 2 years,
relationship breakup.

Have been working shifts the last 2 months,
including nights
with irregular sleep patterns.

I currently live alone.

Symptoms

I have “fainted” twice, once 6 months ago, once
2 weeks ago. Once in the supermarket, once in the street.

No warning signs except feeling a little vague,
difficult to
concentrate, and the second time I felt a little shaky, just like I
needed to
eat something (which is not unusual for me).

No tongue biting and no loss of bladder control.
Witnesses
say they saw a small amount of body shakes while I was on the ground.

Diagnosis from my Specialist

“Probable (75%) partial onset (possibly temporal
lobe)
with secondary generalisation”

Just started taking lamotrigine today. With a
review in a
year or two.

Other relevant info

Blood pressure, blood sugars, CAT, EEG, CT scans
all came
back fine and clear.

A Sleeping EEG is to be booked for me soon.

My Questions

Does this seem to be a fair diagnosis? The
Specialist
admitted it wasn’t a normal case and they were being cautious.

No mention of alcohol intake while on this
medication from
the Specialist or Pharmacist – can I drink? I enjoy an ale and a wine.

Obviously I now cannot drive. I also can’t swim
or
surf alone .. and I have done that a lot in the past.

The Specialist seemed to make a big deal about
the fact that
I’ve experienced a few minor episodes what I call déjà vu – I
thought this was very normal and have confirmed with my friends that
it’s
very common and mostly amusing.

I would be really interested in anyone’s
thoughts,
opinions or kind reassuring words. This is all a bit new to me!