Ever since I was born, I've had these "laughing fits" every night before I fell asleep. As I got older, they would occur during the day if I were tired or stressed. It has happened for several years into my early adulthood, and nothing has come of it, so my family took it as just something I did. Lately, perhaps due to stress or some other unknown factor, they have been increasing in frequency and strength. Worried that something may be medically wrong, I went to have tests done to discover what is causing these seizures. I have seizure brain activity but nothing showing on the MRI (such as a tumor). We have thought it to be gelastic seizures but are not sure because it seems like there is no one out there that has it... especially as an adult. I can't really put into words what my laughing spells are like.. I get this odd rushing of adrenaline a few seconds before they come and then the spell begins. It's an intense adrenaline rush and seems like fireworks going off in my neurons (as silly as that sounds, it is the closest I can manage to describing the intensity). The laughing will subside after about 10 seconds. Sometimes I am drained afterwards or fired up and angry for nothing. Regardless, these seizures are something that I have to deal with and hide from my friends. Because of its variety, it is hard to find support. If anyone knows what I have, please let me know.
What type of seizures do I have??
- Thread starter Lang709
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Hi and Welcome Lang,
So sorry you are having a difficult time finding support. Stress does play a role in seizures, so do get your sleep. Often times, the seizure activity doesn't show up during an MRI, so I suggest you see an epilepsy specialist, an epileptologist. They will do an EEg or a VEEG to see what is going on. It could be SP seizures.
Check this out for more info:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/simple-partial-seizures
So sorry you are having a difficult time finding support. Stress does play a role in seizures, so do get your sleep. Often times, the seizure activity doesn't show up during an MRI, so I suggest you see an epilepsy specialist, an epileptologist. They will do an EEg or a VEEG to see what is going on. It could be SP seizures.
Check this out for more info:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/simple-partial-seizures
N Sperlo
Veteran
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There is a neurological condition called PBA that will cause a laughter fit. I only know that because of a drug commercial.. Regardless, while you probably don't have that, if you have epilepsy, it may have a similar trigger effect.
I know when I was having some seizures, I would let out a small laugh and have a huge creepy grin on my face. My wife hated it because I was usually in bed doing something weird. Mine were likely a complex partial, but an EEG showed no activity.
Could be simple or complex really... Read through the definitions of each seizure type and take a stab in the dark for yourself. If you can remember, though, since you're conscious, I'd assume it is a simple partial. In all honesty, if it is a seizure, it shouldn't matter what type. It is so hard to pinpoint exactly what causes these weird ones.
Good luck with that.
I know when I was having some seizures, I would let out a small laugh and have a huge creepy grin on my face. My wife hated it because I was usually in bed doing something weird. Mine were likely a complex partial, but an EEG showed no activity.
Could be simple or complex really... Read through the definitions of each seizure type and take a stab in the dark for yourself. If you can remember, though, since you're conscious, I'd assume it is a simple partial. In all honesty, if it is a seizure, it shouldn't matter what type. It is so hard to pinpoint exactly what causes these weird ones.
Good luck with that.
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There have been some CWE members who experience gelastic seizures, so you aren't alone:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/hello-gelastic-seizures-coping-13245/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f20/anyone-else-have-gelastic-seizures-im-new-site-25334/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/ever-been-too-happy-15868/
Gelastic seizures
Minus a very conscientious epileptologist and EEG tech the gelastic seizures dont show up as they are a higher order brain function seizure. Think of it more as a particular circuit on the motherboard misfires vs general tonic-clonic / partial complex or grand mal seizures.
I have had them since birth and your description is pretty much dead on.
An EEG wont reveal it unless the adjust the setting to match and capture the expected alpha wave pattern indicating a gelastic seizure is occuring. However, an epileptologist (dont waste time on neurologists as the general training may or may not have gone into the rarer seizure forms ~ some neurologist are primarily stroke/pain care focused as that is where the highest revenue sits sadly).
Oxcarbazepeine (Trileptal) and Carbamazepeine (Tegretol) have been shown to mediate the intensity of the gelastic seizures in some patients. Some of the newer medications may offer hope too.
The PBA episodes range in effect but from the reported PRISM trials are different from what you are describing which is more akin to a classic (albeit rare) gelastic seizure.
Fun, aren't they?
Minus a very conscientious epileptologist and EEG tech the gelastic seizures dont show up as they are a higher order brain function seizure. Think of it more as a particular circuit on the motherboard misfires vs general tonic-clonic / partial complex or grand mal seizures.
I have had them since birth and your description is pretty much dead on.
An EEG wont reveal it unless the adjust the setting to match and capture the expected alpha wave pattern indicating a gelastic seizure is occuring. However, an epileptologist (dont waste time on neurologists as the general training may or may not have gone into the rarer seizure forms ~ some neurologist are primarily stroke/pain care focused as that is where the highest revenue sits sadly).
Oxcarbazepeine (Trileptal) and Carbamazepeine (Tegretol) have been shown to mediate the intensity of the gelastic seizures in some patients. Some of the newer medications may offer hope too.
The PBA episodes range in effect but from the reported PRISM trials are different from what you are describing which is more akin to a classic (albeit rare) gelastic seizure.
Fun, aren't they?