Vickie

vrhodes1989 · #1 07-19-2010, 05:53 PM

I've had a grand mal seizure in April with respiratory arrest. Now I am hallucinating. Audio, visual and olfactory.
Never had a seizure before (3

. Scared. Going for eeg on thursday. Dont want to know the results.
I already have pschological problems, not this, too!!!

**Nakamova** · #2 07-19-2010, 06:48 PM

Hey Vickie, welcome to CWE!

I know the initial diagnosis of epilepsy can be scary -- the unknowns loom large. Trust me though, information is your friend. The more you know, the better you can get a handle on what's going on and how to move forward. If you can, have a friend or family member go with you to the EEG. They can help with support, and in noting down what the neurologist tells you. I recommend you write down a list of questions for the doctor -- anything and everything that you are worried about right now.

We are here for you at CWE with support and advice -- CWE members have all been where you are now. I feel for you and hope the EEG isn't stressful.

Best,
Nakamova

**Endless** · #3 07-19-2010, 10:00 PM

Hi, VRHodes,

Welcome to CWE! This is a great place with nice people with tons of knowlege. They helped me out lots after my diagnosis. I know they will you, too.

The hallucinations sound like temporal lobe epilepsy. That's what I have, too. The fact that you are concious during them could mean it would be a Simple Partial seizure, that involve only part of the brain. Take a look at this. Does it sound like you? I was having seizures for years and didn't know what it was, until a doctor cleared things up for me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporal_lobe_epilepsy

The Tonic Clonic (grand mal) seizures involve the whole brain. Not fun. I'm so sorry you are going through all this.

Emotional problems... seizures can cause depression, paranoia, etc., all on their own. So your emotional issues might actually be in part because of the seizures. There's a forum in here for epilepsy and psychological issues. You might want to join to learn more.

I'm glad you are going for an eeg. Is it the kind that lasts an hour or so, or are they checking you into the hospital for a week or so?

Hang in there. It's so hard to get the diagnosis of seizures. But things are going to get better.

huskymom · #4 07-20-2010, 06:27 AM

Hang in there. Let us know how your test goes. Remember, you can always come here for advice, chat, hugs, rants.....whatever you may need!

sandi · #5 07-20-2010, 12:11 PM

Welcome and keep us posted!

ddr1166 · #6 07-20-2010, 05:50 PM

Hi Vickie! As someone said earlier, the more you know, the more relaxed you'll be about it. It's scary at first. Are you doing the sleep deprived EEG? regular EEG?

My husband had a grand mal seizure New Year's Day this year for the first time in his life (he's 45 years old). We went to the ER (they thought I was overreacting), and he had a CT scan and blood work done, then sent us home for the weekend. We saw a neurologist four days later, and he scheduled an MRI and sleep deprived EEG. (He said the theory was the being sleep deprived taxed the brain, so doing the next morning after not sleeping the night before would show any abnormalities). They found a slight abnormality in his brain which is causing the seizures. But we don't know the cause. He could have had it his whole life, I'm told.

Anyway - what I'm saying is we were scared, too. Don't look down the road, just (as cheesy as it sounds) focus on getting through each day and take someone with you to talk to, if you can. That's helpful. The EEG itself isn't stressful or scary in my husband's opinion. If you have questions, be honest and ask them. The more info the better.
Good luck and hang in there. This is a WONDERFUL site full of information and great folks.

Jbo57 · #7 07-22-2010, 11:43 AM

Vickie...let me add my voice to all those who have posted previous. It is a very frustrating thing. The great thing about here is you know that you are not alone. We are folks who have gone through similar things and we understand the frustration and fear that comes with the diagnoses. Sometimes they can pinpoint what the problem is...sometimes, as is my case, the cause is never determined and all they can do is manage the situation. However, information is your friend and the more they can eliminate, the better off you are. Hang in and God bless!