Possible Epilepsy? Need help!

[jmcdab]

Hi Everyone,

I just signed up today so I am new to this website so I am sorry if I'm posting in the wrong spot.

For the past few years I had what I thought were anxiety attacks and really thought nothing of it. I sometimes will have an attack every few months or may have a few in a day. I never know when or why I will have them. Some are much worse than others.

Almost a year ago on a Saturday morning I couldn't get out of bed or even really speak. I tried to text someone for help but all I could type on my phone was jibberish (heoiheof esfheifho <--- that was all I could type) finally my boyfriend came home and I really don't remember much after that. He brought me to the hospital and they gave my ativan (simple partial?) and I ended up having an allergic reaction and my skin got very blotchy. (this was the most intense "attack" I've ever had)

My boyfriend told me when I had this attack and was in the hospital I would be cold then hot, have a headache, feel very nervous and tired, sometimes have a flashback of a previous event, loss of memory, and would be dizzy and really out of it. When I'm sleeping I may start to click my teeth, I'll say words that make no sense, my eyes will be open but no response, and I my neck and chest may get blotchy.

When I was in the hospital I had a MRI, CT, and EEG everything came back fine. I just had a 24 hour EEG and my doctor said it does show some epileptic abnormalities.

I had a few attacks today which consisted of my heart racing, nervous, feeling very uncomfortable and out of it. I can still speak to you while they're happening and continue on with my day but I feel very uncomfortable. I don't know why these happen or what I should do, I really don't want to be on medication. I really feel like these may be anxiety attacks.

Any help or information would really be great.

Thanks All,
Jessica

[Nakamova]

Hi Jessica, welcome to CWE!

I'm glad you've found us, though sorry for the circumstances. It does sound like something neurological is going on, especially the episode where you were unable to move or speak. That could be a symptom of a migraine, or a simple or complex partial seizure, as well as a TIA (transient ischemic attack). As for the anxiety -- fear and anxiety are very common in simple-partial seizures so it's possible that your "anxiety attacks" are really a form of seizure activity.

Is there a sense that your EEG is enough to confirm a diagnosis, or is your doc taking a "wait-and-see" approach? Have you been referred to a neurologist?

I definitely understand your reluctance to be on medication. One non-medication technique to try when you feel an episode coming on is deep breathing. (Not deep breathing as in big gulps, but "deep" as in originating in the diaphragm). It basically involves inhaling small breaths through the nose and then doing a long slow exhale through the mouth. This can help with both seizures and anxiety attacks.

It can also help to be proactive about your general health. There's good info here: Proactive Prescription for Epilepsy
Keeping a seizure/symptom diary can be especially helpful -- it may point out connections or triggers that are playing a role in your anxiety attacks. (Triggers can be things like fatigue, food sensitivities, low blood sugar, flashing lights, etc.)

I hope feel better, and get answers soon.

Best,
Nakamova

[Day]

Hi, mcdab.

I have to agree. It does sound neurological. If you really don't want to be on meds, you may want to try a chiropractor first.They can give you supplements or suggest certain things, such as the Atkins diet.

You may be having both anxiety attacks and seizures. I have both at the same time and for years couldn't tell the difference between them. Being you couldn't get out of bed, speak, or even form coherent words, there's definetely something more than anxiety causing that. It sounds like you're having anxiety attacks, too, but that's not all of it.

On another note, a couple things that have helped my seizures were completely cutting out caffeine and aspartame (a sweetener) from my diet.
Very slow, deep breaths help both my anxiety and seizures. Keeping a small booklet of everything I felt or had happen was a great help. Even if you don't think it'll help later, if it happened, put it down.

I'm so sorry this is happening. I feel for you.

[hootie]

Welcome!

Watch artificial sweetners, colors, flavors, chemicals. They may be a trigger. Also can be certain foods or fragrances. Keeping a food diary can be very helpful to find triggers.