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Panic attacks that are actually seizures
Tue, 04/03/2012 - 04:26Hi all!
Wow, to say I've been on a journey is an understatement. I've suffered from what I thought was panic/anxiety attacks for coming on 7 years. I'm 27 years old and this has without a doubt partially taken over my life from the sheer fear of it all. Problem I have is I don't really remember what happens during them only that I swallow a lot, cant recall the finer details (sort of memory loss), It can feel like de javu (especially if Im listen to someone talk, or watching TV) I'm petrified from them and I freeze and cant talk properly. I cant seem to get any normal words out.. such as "Hang on I'm having a funny turn!" but I cant and if I do manage to talk it makes absolutely no sense.
Now for years I've gone to doctors who hand me print outs of GAD or panic attack sheets, they've tried to put me on anti-depressants. Which i've refused as I'm not depressed just bloody confused. Often doctors sat there with a blank expression thinking I was tapped... which as many of you will know that makes you feel so much worse. Being honest I can feel pretty shook up after an attack (which tend to happen in the morning or when i'm partially awake) so I'm probably quite anxious from it all.
Now finally after finding a good doctor, who also discovered I had PCOS (polycystic ovaries), she said she'd get a 24 hours heart rate check and also send me to a neurologist. Purely to clear in my mind and that way I could stop worrying. so, I went for my neurologist appointment on Friday. There was the neurologist and a nurse present, I was asked to explain exactly what happens during my attacks. I firstly said it was probably panic attacks and that this was just to confirm with myself it was that. I explain exactly what happens during an attack... de javu, swallowing, cant remember, etc etc. I then had to go through to the other room and my reflexes were tested, he watched me walk, and looked into my eyes with a torch.
After this I went through and sat down waiting for his verdict... by how he acted with me I was totally expecting him to say I was just having anxiety/panic attacks. he didnt. "You're experiencing complex partial seizures' - my reaction was "Pardon?!"
There and then was a bit of a blur as I was baffled... why hadnt this been sorted before? was my first thoughts. He said there and then I needed to inform DVLA and also did I want medication there and then. That was the most confusing part... how did he know for sure? would his reflex tests etc have shown him? I did say no and that I wanted the brain scan he was refering me for. My sheets had ASAP all over them.
Part of me wants to be confirmed with seizures as I can finally get on with my life, the other part doesn't because I will have this for life. Also if it isn't that if im just having panic attacks/ anxiety attacks then what the hell is it?
Anyone else had a similar experience? Any advice?
xx
Re: Panic attacks that are actually seizures
Submitted by kloser2fine on Fri, 2012-04-06 - 02:38
Hi, wow--as you can see from my recent post in this same forum, I have very unusual seizures as well. Mine consist of intense deja vu which suddenly morphs into almost complete amnesia, with a feeling of terror and repetitive asking of orienting questions, such as Where am I? Who am I? It's interesting that we both have such unusual experiences, and also, I have PCOS as well. I hope for your sake that your doctor is incorrect but it sounds like he's pretty confident and if so, rest assured that they know a great deal about how to treat seizures by now, and wouldn't it be great if they could get rid of your panic attacks? I would sure love to stop these attacks. All the best.