Newbie...

[Lao Tsu]

Hi, everyone! My name's Brendan. I'm 19. I joined up to pester some of you shamelessly. How horrible of me, eh?

Background:
Feel free to skip this part. ;D

I suspect that I may be epileptic. I don't like reading about symptoms and so on; there's something pale, dull and faceless about it. I'd rather ask you beauts for help, if you don't mind.

When I was a baby, I almost died. What the complications were exactly, I don't know. I was baptised and confirmed, though, and I assume I had my last rites as well (although my mum probably wouldn't admit it if I asked her). Apparently the doctor told my mum that I'd have serious brain damage for the rest of my life. My mum didn't care what the doctor said, thankfully, and raised me to be the person I am now.

When I was younger - a little older then, by 8 years or so - I was taken to the doctor by my mum because she feared I may have epilepsy. What'd made her take me was that, one day in primary school, my headteacher had asked to see my homework. I nodded my head, went into my bag, pulled out a book and started drawing pictures, completely ignoring her in the process. She informed my mum about it.

I can remember finding the doctor's questions silly and boring. I didn't really understand why I was there at all. Needless to say, the doctor confirmed that I didn't have epilepsy.

Recently:
NB: When the second faint/possible seizure occurred, I hadn't had much to eat and I'd smoked quite a lot of cannabis. If that's enough to make you distinguish whether or not I had a seizure, then I appreciate you reading this far anyway.

Throughout my teenage life, there have been numerous situations where I've either fell unconscious for 10-20 second periods or felt extremely dizzy upon standing up after lying down for a long time. I understand this is to do with blood pressure and oxygen reaching the brain through blood passage and whatnot, although recently there have been two occurrences that have left me somewhat uneasy.

At my friend's house, I stood up to put a song on and said, "Guys, I feel diz-" and then collapsed. I was semi-conscious for about 20 seconds. It was an odd sensation. It felt like my brain was running at 100MPH and yet I was kinda calm. Half the time I knew I was in the room and half the time I didn't. I could just hear, very faintly, "Brendan, are you okay?"

Last night, I was at another friend's house. I felt like blood was rushing from my head, so I sat down on the couch. My hearing went suddenly and my eyesight shortly after. I was hazy, but still completely conscious. Closing my eyes was a mild comfort. My friend's dad said it'd be best if I got fresh air, so he and 3 of my friends picked me up and took me to the door. I fainted almost immediately after setting 1 foot out of the door.

As with before, half the time I had a brief idea of where I was and the other half I had no idea. I was out for about a minute this time. Again, the sensation I felt was like nothing I've ever experienced before. My friend shook me at one point and it genuinely felt like the most awful thing. I just wanted to relax. My friend was shaking both my arms, and I swear it was extremely intense. I thought the whole world was shaking.

Anyway... I'm sorry to bother you all with this. I feel like an arse because I realise I might just be being a drama queen. If so, I apologise. I know it's a lot to read, but I'm one of those guys who just doesn't know when to shut up.

Have a nice day one and all!

[Lao Tsu]

I apologise for bumping this, and I also apologise if I'm offending anyone by asking about this as it may have just been a simple lack of food that caused it, but I'd really appreciate some insight.

[AnnaM]

Hey Brendan ... Hope you get some answers. Wish I could offer some help but its my son, 4yrs old, who has seizures, not me (as far as I know!) ...Hang in there, I'm sure someone will chime in soon...

[Lao Tsu]

Thanks, Anna. I'm not too worried about it now, but at the time I can remember being really shaken, so I just want to see if there's anything to it!

[Lao Tsu]

No one?

[Wobblez]

Hey Lao, welcome to the forum =)

It can be very difficult to diagnose epilepsy, particularly when it is idiopathic (no known cause). I think the main criteria for epilepsy that my Neurologist has stressed to me is that if you have an "aura" immediately before each episode. An aura is highly individual and quite hard to describe but many epileptics, including myself, describe it as a familiar feeling that comes over your whole body. I feel it in my head first, particularly my sinuses. Sometimes I get an overwhelming smell and ache in my sinuses. It's similar to cigarette smoke. I feel like my head isn't attached to my body, as I move it can't keep up! I get weak, lightheaded, very dizzy and my head spins. I can't seem to find my words, my speech won't come out or if it does, it's slurred, I'm twitchy, wobbly and feel like i'm about to pass out. I also get numbness in my right arm and my mouth, then a fizzy feeling in my tongue.

The only way I can distinguish between fainting and having a seizure is that when i'm about to faint, I always feel like i'm about to throw up. I feel really sick, really quickly and I can feel myself "going", if that makes sense. The auras come on slowly and I get more warning. I also get a headache afterwards, whereas I recover from a faint far quicker.

Most people agree there will be a post-ictal phase (immediately after the seizure). This is often where you will be confused, not know what happened, be unable to answer simple questions accurately etc. Not everyone gets this and it depends on the particular type of seizure you have. Google absent seizures, myoclonics, simple partial seizures, versus complex partials, tonic clonics etc.

I hope you find some answers but be prepared to put in the work to get a diagnosis or clean bill of health. If you want to speed up the process, keep a diary of your symptoms, what you eat, exercise etc each day. Be honest with yourself and record everything, especially if you smoke dope, although this is not recommended for epilepsy sufferers so be careful there. Look for patterns of stress, particular foods, long days, no sleep, drinking, drugs, lack of good nutrition, sickness etc. You need to work out your triggers. For example, mine are lack of sleep, stress and that time of the month (hormonal changes). Other people are triggered by flashing lights etc.

Look after yourself, don't skip meals etc and if you're still passing out, I'd push for a referral to a Neurologist. Write down as much of your history as you can because the diagnosis is like a huge jigsaw puzzle! Hope this helps!!

[stilldancing_98]

Hello Lao!
I will tell you I have have had many types of seizures. I have had them since I was 10 and I am 46 now. My son also has epilepsy with myoclonic seizures. He is 14. My suggestion is to go to your primaray doc. Tell them everything. They should then send you to a neurologist or epileptologist to get the proper testing done. It could be low blood sugar to any kind of seizure or fainting. PM me and let me know what is going on please. Teresa

[Nakamova]

Hi Lao --

In addition to a neurologist, you may want to consult with a cardiologist to rule out any issues there -- sometimes fainting and dizziness can be related to circulation or cardiac problems. Some folks are misdiagnosed with epilepsy, when what they actually have is vasovagal syncope or related syndrome. A tilt table test can be a useful diagnostic tool in this case.