am i having some form of seizure?

[nanamin]

So recently I've been having some "interesting" symptoms. I'll get flickering vision for a couple seconds and then simultaneously a group of muscles in my leg will twitch, and I'll feel confused. It doesn't last long (only a few seconds *as far as I can tell*) but always occurs together. Usually it doesn't get much worse than that, however sometimes it does (*especially* if i consume any amount of caffeine, even half a can of diet coke will do it).

When it gets worse, I might get really confused, not even know where I am. My vision might get blurry, and sometimes it's so bad I'm unable to walk or talk. I've also been getting feelings of deja vu every so often.

I saw my dr, she sent me to a cardiologist to get checked out -- nothing. Did a few blood tests for hyperthyroidism and diabetes -- nothing. Thinking about seeing her again and asking specifically about seizures.

Also, I've heard this could be related to simple partial seizures, so I thought I'd mention it. Sometimes during one of these things, whatever they are, I'll get a really intense emotion (I can't really describe it because it's not a regular one, but it's unpleasant) and it's all I can focus on for a couple minutes. I am aware of what's going on outside of me, but I can't talk to anyone really because it's so intense.

Anyway just wondering if I should get evaluated by a neurologist, or maybe I'm just crazy.

Other random things:
- I do get weird psychological symptoms along with this, but only when this type of thing happens.
- Sometimes I can't form my thoughts into words, and it feels like I have to force myself to think.
- Last night, I got really tired and I saw this "tv static" kinda thing (not externally -- I wasn't looking at a tv, it replaced my vision), and then got one of those twitches. I woke up 12 hours later exhausted, hungover feeling, and with sore muscles in my right shoulder and right side of my neck)
- Often I will see translucent blue outlines around everything, or things I look at will sort of linger in my vision when I look away ("burn-in" kind of effect)
- Today at work while this was happening, I think I lost vision in my left eye temporarily. I had to leave work early because I felt like the lighting at work was making it worse.

Any insights would be appreciated. Sorry if I come off as a hypochondriac, just want to see if anyone thinks this is even a viable thing to ask my doc about, and I don't want to leave anything out in case that detail is the one thing someone here can relate to ;-) Thanks a lot everyone!

 

[Crystal11]

It could be a simple partial seizure- since you mention you are able to understand what is happening around you. I would definatley ask to sees an neurologist and let your doctor know you are worried about your health and you want a referral. The only thing that could happen is that you find out yes or no on the dx of seizure disorder or other condition. Its worth looking into. Keep a journal of everything- let your dr see it and they can try to put symptoms and other signs together. An EEG would help you find seizures or abnormal brain waveforms.
Take care and good luck with everything.
-Crystal

 

[nanamin]

Hi Crystal,

Thanks for your response. I will definitely be sure to ask. My biggest worry is that they have to induce a seizure during EEG for it to work. I'm scared of having one where I pass out or something.

 

[epileric]

Hi Crystal,
My biggest worry is that they have to induce a seizure during EEG for it to work. I'm scared of having one where I pass out or something.

I wouldn't worry too much about that. If your seizures are non-convulsive then it's unlikely you'll have a convulsive seizure when they induce one. I'd bet that if they are seizures you'll be very familiar with what you feel.

Besides, they have you on a soft bed (or at least they did me) where whatever happens, the possibility of injury will be minimized. Not to mention that the technicians should be trained to know exactly what to do during a seizure (unlike the general public).

 

[Bernard]

Hi nanamin, welcome to the forum. :hello:

If your docs have already ruled out high blood pressure/TIAs and diabetic/blood sugar issues, I would think there is a high probability that these are seizure events.

If you do go for an EEG, let the docs know that the events can be induced by caffeine and you can try inducing one during the testing.

Definitely get evaluated. If they are seizure events and you don't get them under control, they can get worse over time.

 

[nanamin]

Yup, blood pressure is perfect, and they didn't think there was a problem with blood sugar (I had a cup of hot cocoa that morning and that was all I had, and they said sugar was "slightly high," but I bet things like that cause it to spike for a while).

Since these events usually occur with psychological effects (which don't happen if I haven't had anything else happen in a while), I thought I was developing a psychosis at first. . .was on abilify for a while, not pleasant. I'm sure both possibilities (a seizure disorder and something like schizophrenia) suck to have, but I think I'd rather have a mild seizure disorder than a degenerative psychiatric condition! Excuse my ignorance if that doesn't make sense. I'm not downplaying the seriousness of either.

Does this sound like a seizure? It lasted a few seconds (this was a while ago) and I checked into a psych ward for the night afterward. . . I was sitting down on my bed just doing whatever, and suddenly I hear the word "What" yelled several times. At first it's clearly vocal, but then it becomes more of a very strong impression. Each time I "heard" it, it was like I was watching my body from the outside like a camera, and my perspective "zoomed out" suddenly each time. Next thing I knew I was laying down, pretty scared over what had just happened.

Anyway, I'll try to get that appointment, but I might not be able to get it right away. Any advice on how I can keep these events more or less under control (besides avoiding caffeine, for instance) in the meantime, if they are in fact some form of seizure? I'm very worried. I've heard stories of people having a grand mal, being taken to the hospital and pumped full of all kinds of drugs unnecessarily.

Thanks for your support everyone.

 

[Bernard]

... Any advice on how I can keep these events more or less under control (besides avoiding caffeine, for instance) in the meantime, if they are in fact some form of seizure? ...

[Han Solo]Well, that's the real trick, isn't it?[/Han Solo]

Have a look here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/