Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Seizure? Sleep paralysis? Fainting? Allergic reaction?

Thu, 06/21/2018 - 09:58
Hi everyone! I’m a 20 year old female. I do not eat healthy however am on the lower end of normal weight so I have no issues with being overweight etc. For about half my life I’ve had these dizzy/confused/loss vision spells when standing or walking around. I’m completely aware of my surroundings and continue walking and just have a blacked vision for 3-5 seconds. While this is occurring I have a buzzing collapsing feeling in my head. Like my head is falling into my body. The blacking our of my vision happens less often now (it used to happen daily) but now it is more I could be sitting, standing, walking and the vibrating collapsing feeling happens to my head and I have a brief confused feeling. Afterwards I’m not able to fully concentrate for 5-10 minutes. I have had times where I would begin losing my vision, thinking it was one of my earlier black out episodes but then begin losing my hearing and that’s when I know I’m about to faint. (Or possibly have a seizure? I’m unsure.) when I have fainted it has been brief a few seconds, eyes open and still with no recollection of falling. Just knowing something wasn’t feeling right and then waking up on the floor. I can control these by panic breathing, not quite hyperventilating but focusing on my breathing. Drinking water. I will go to the brink of fainting to where I can’t hear and everything is weird around me and I’ll come to. Typically these episodes will involve a small amount of alcohol a couple hours prior (like one drink or less) due to Asian decent i have an allergy to alcohol to an extent. I also have sleep paralysis which is where your brain wakes up during switching phases of sleeping and you’re awake but your body is asleep. Due to having this neural issue I’m concerned that these dizzy confusion spells may be more than perhaps hypoglycemia or may be seizure activity due to allergic reaction. I may be having simple partial seizures to where I’m aware but that’s my dazed/confused collapsing feeling. Anyone have any advice?

Comments

Please see your doctor and

Submitted by Amy Jo on Sun, 2018-06-24 - 12:04
Please see your doctor and get started on figuring out what this is. You may see a few different specialists for more specific tests but your doctor can probably set up an initial EEG, blood tests and any other obvious thing that can be checked. While it could be seizures, it could be something else. Note EEGs are not yes/no tests, it’s helpful if it shows something but a clear EEG doesn’t eliminate epilepsy. And avoid alcohol unless some doc wants you to have some prior to a test. 

Thank you for your advice! I

Submitted by Asamos on Mon, 2018-06-25 - 14:55
Thank you for your advice! I have an appointment on Thursday. I will update! 

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.