symptoms? sleep seizures?

[BadMoon]

I've had undiagnosed sleep disturbances for several years and at least two episodes of depression lasting 3-4 years. I'm almost 30.

On occasion my girlfriend has told me I shake the bed at night, a subtle vibrating shake or sometimes worse as if I have restless leg syndrome. Last night my girlfriend was snoring a little more than normal and I woke up for a short period of time, or was conscience of waking up. As I began to fall back asleep my hands seemed to cramp, both at the same time and curled inward at the wrist, I was partially aware of it as it happened. I then went straight into what I thought was a dream state but I was terrified of what I can only describe as "alien blue electric currents". This happened maybe 4 times in and out each time I felt my eyes sort of fluttering and rolling. I also had a horrible ringing hissing in my ears even after the electric feeling would go away. After all of it finally stopped I felt more like I could really sleep and noticed my stomach sort of rumbleing as if I was hungry.

I've had these events happen to me on a few occasions, that I can remember through out my life. I also wake up regularly tired and fatigued, sometimes sore as if someone had been smashing me into an uncomfortable position all night. Last night and one or two other occasions, I can really be in the experience but most of the time I wake up from something that happened just paranoid and extremely groggy.

My uncle at one point in his childhood use to have seizures ranging from not being able to interact for a few moments to falling down on the ground spacing out and sort of rigid. They put him on phenylbarbital and to this day he still takes it. He also has irregular sleep patterns and distubances but no waking seizures in several years.

Who should I go to for help? I'm seeing a psychologist for depression and my family doctor has dragged me through the gambit of anti-depressents without finding one that works for both my sleep disturbances/insomnia and my depression at the same time. I was going to go see a psychiatrist to nail down the right medication because the fam doc is now poking around in the dark.

Is this just unusual rem sleep or a seizure?

[Meetz1064]

to be honest, you need to see a neurologist. He/she will run a series of tests, including a MRI and EEG, and bloodwork. Please ask that you have a 24hour EEG, especially considering that your events seem to happen in your sleep.

I have NOCTURNAL TONIC CLONIC seizures. And while it is possible that you are having a nocturnal seizure of some sort, it doesn't sound as if you are having a t/c. Check out the following link for a better description of different types of seizures.......this will better help you to talk to your doctors.

http://www.epilepsy.com/EPILEPSY/types_seizures

Also, check out the following thread here at CWE. It's chock full of information, and should help you out immensely.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/...lepsy+101.html

Also, start keeping a journal. Write down these events....what they're like, how you feel before, during and after. Write down what you've eaten that day, computer/TV/video time, etc.

And you asked about sleep aids. Personally, I have issues with sleep. I HAD a major case of sleep apnea years ago, until I lost 110 pounds. Now, it's gone. However, I still have issues with sleep because of a cyst inside my pineal gland. So, I have to take melatonin every night to be able to sleep.... because I never to get to that last stage of deep sleep.....Melatonin is a natural hormone that everyone's bodies makes to help us sleep....and some of us make it well, and some of us don't. Because I have that cyst, I don't make it.

Oh, and BTW, welcome to CWE. You've found a TERRIFIC place to be. Mr B has built us an AWESOME home here.......plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, friends to make, and what not, so feel free to kick up your feet, and stay a while.

Take care!

Meetz

[BadMoon]

Thank you, the link and definitions help a lot. I can't say for sure since I am most likely asleep or partially asleep when this happens but I'd say they are partial complex.

I've had a lot of unexplainable health issues recently and part of me wants to say I'm a hypocondriac and leave it at that, but when I check in something inside me says this is not normal.

Last night was so vividly disturbing, especially since I had a feeling of terror for no apparent reason other than the ringing in my ears and the field of blue electrifying shock all over. I would normally wave it off as a dream, but the intense feeling in my hands of both numbness and cramping really made me think for the first time, this is not a dream and my sleep distubances are not just insomnia.

As a side note, both my uncle and I are dyslexic and have been told we have a lot of very similar creative traits and/or child like behavior. We've also both had issues with relationships as our mates have suggested we are aloof sometimes or emotionally distant. I've told my girlfriend the idea is actually foreign to me and she thinks I'm full of it.

I've attempted to accept all of these things are related to depression and they very well could be, but I know myself when I feel on and there is a big difference that I'm having a hard time understanding. My psychologist hasn't yet even commited to a diagnosis of depression but my current family doctor and another earlier in my life did without doing any testing.

I just don't get it and I don't want to feel alone in this anymore. My girlfriend is having a hard time being in it with me and thinks I'm just nuts so I'm not sharing this with her currently until someone officially calls me nuts or tells me I have some abnormality.

[BadMoon]

I apologize for using words like "nuts" and "abnormality". I just don't feel right.... or rather in control of myself like I want to be. I know I've gone through episodes or periods of my life where I felt more "neutral" for lack of a better word, but these periods amount to less time than feeling not ok and not sleeping well.

[hawke86]

Sorry to hear about your seizures you're having during your sleep. I hope tonight's a seizure-free night for you and everyone.

[brain]

I apologize for using words like "nuts" and "abnormality". I just don't feel right.... or rather in control of myself like I want to be. I know I've gone through episodes or periods of my life where I felt more "neutral" for lack of a better word, but these periods amount to less time than feeling not ok and not sleeping well.

I'm an abnormal nut! Sometimes I'm like a soft Cashew,
sometimes I act like a hard Brazil nut or I can be
stubborn closed Pistacho!



But as for me, I'm abnormal; they've got T-Shirts that
says "Why Be Normal?" and I want one that says "Why
Be Abnormal?"



We all can be goof-balls from time to time, so don't take
it all personally!

[brain]

My strongest recommendations would be talking to
your Neurologist about having a Video EEG where
the Doctor can determine and pinpoint the cause;
whether from Sleep Apnea to Nocturnal or some
other type of medical problem(s) that might be there,
for this is the best path to take, and it's recorded on
video and on the electroencephalogram - they will
be able to get it all down and you will then be able
to be treated properly.

So have a talk with your Doctor about this option
and it will also get down to the bottom line of everything
most of the time, at least, it's a start and it will also
give you a peace of mind as well without filling your
head with worries and wonders of what in the world
is wrong with me and what's going on with me?

[seizures4ever]

I agree with Brain.

Speaking with a neurologist would be helpful, and he/she would be able to determine if you are having seizures or if you have a sleeping disorder (or possibly both).

I have occasional sleep paralysis and night-time seizures...so it's important for you to be seen by a specialist who can help answer questions and narrow things down for you (instead of just rotating antidepressants like your PC doctor is doing).

Welcome to CWE. Hope you get a peaceful nights rest soon!
-Julie

[stilldancing_98]

I have night time seizures sometimes . If it really makes you tired it could be sleep apnea to. My brother had sleep apnea with surgery and it helped his fatigue a lot. But he has myoclonic seizures at night to.He is 41.

[Bernard]

Hi Badmoon, welcome to the forum.

You should see a neurologist to be tested for seizure activity. You might also ask for a sleep study to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea.