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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 endinsight on Mon, 2012-04-09 - 23:15
First of all I am not a know it all. I do however see patterns in my own life when I eat foods that have additives in them. Additives like Nitrates that can give migrane headaches and MSG aka MonoSodiumGlutamte can also trigger Grand Mal seizures. Other additives like MSG that can trigger stress and seizures are Carrageenan, Yeast Extract, Whey / Soy Protein Concentrates & Isolates, and gums. Never reject Aspartame that are found in diet sodas and yogurts. All I suggest is look a any type of pattern from any source or possible cause. The food industries can make any person with or with out a seizure condition feel stressed out and have panic attacks. My own brain goes crazy when part the problem it canhave is having a Grand Mal when I would by mistake eat or drink anything with those additives and more in them. www.truthinlabeling.org www.msgtruth.org www.mpwhi.com There's a start for maybe finding your root problem to your condition. Once you look for a pattern ''if there is one'' you can detect then what to avoid ot not be concerned about but beware. As I have learned some things can have ISOLATES in them which are 10% of what a CONCENTRATE is when you may thin it maight be safe to have, but then later, you learn it is not. Of course that is my brain talking here, but that does not mean someone else cannot suffer the same or similar way as things have happened for me over the years. In the next 2 weeks it will be 17 months that my life has bee grand mal seizure free from the reason being I have not allowed any food additives in my body to set of a grand mal seizure. I also give God the credit for giving me the wisdom I have to protect my precious brain he is helping me to protect. Take it all for what it is worth. having living 16 months with out no grand mals is priceless.