Could I have epilepsy

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ian2682

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Hi all. I have opened this thread to see if anyone can give me any help with my problem. I'm a 26 yesr old male and was always fit and healthy up until January last year. Then one day at work, out of the blue, I had an intense dissy spell (felt like I was going to black out) and my heart was pounding. Only lasted a few second. I couldnt speak or anything. Ever since I have been having dizzy spells, feeling faint, confused, short term memory loss numbness, strange sensations, pins and needles down my left arm and leg. When I went to the doctor first of all, I was told it was probably a virus. After 2 months, I was still getting these 'dizzy spells' so returned to the doc. He said it was prob nothing to worry about, but ordered some tests to be sure. I had an ECG (heart monitor), chest X-ray and blood test, all of which were negative. As time continued and the symptoms got worse, the doctor said it was prob anxiety/mild depression and reffered me to a self help clinic. The woman there seemed to think that it was mor than anxiety/depression and told me to go back to my doctor. It was then that I found out both my parents had epil;epsy at my age. I thing both suffered petit mal/absence seizures. My mum had only come of the medication when she was pregnant with me, so I asked the doc if this was a possibility. He said that he didnt think it was epilepsy as I hadnt lost conciousness and said there was nothing medically wrong with me. After a trip to A&E as Id had the worst dizzy spell yet, I was referred to the ENT clinic as they thought it might be an inner ear problem/vertigo. This was ruled out and they referred me for a MRI, which was normal. All this took about a year and I had given up 2 jobs because of it. I started to get really tired/ poor concentration etc. Anyway, I started to think that I should try some anxiety meds and went to a doctor who prescribed 20mg of fluoxetine (anti depressant). After taking only 3 of these I stopped as I constantly felt I was going to havefit. I also started violently jerking as I tried to get to sleep, up to 10 times a night. I have a constant tingly feeling through my body which makes me feel like I am going to fit. I have now read the leaflet that came with the medication and it says that it should not be taken by anyone with untreated epilepsy, as it can cause seizures. Also, the day I stopped taking them I woke up with a strong taste/smell of something like chlorine which I couldnt get rid of, and felt terrible all day. I have also had a couple of episodes where I fell I have lost conciosness for a split second, then feel confused and tired afterwards. All this has caused me to have no social life, no job ets; however, I am positive that it is not anxiety/depression which is causing this and think that the anxiety is caused by not knowing what is causing these dizzy spells, fellings etc.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. I am going back to the doc on tuesday to tell her about coming off the anti-depressants etc. I just need to know what is causing this so I can return to work and get on with my life.

P.S. I have also had my blood sugar, oxygen in my blood, eyes, hearing, ears etc tested. All are fine.
 
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Have you tried going to either a neurologist or an epileptologist? They may ask for a video EEG (VEEG) to monitor you day and night. Although some of your symptoms sound like epilepsy, you have to remember that the body does strange things under stress. You may be having anxiety attacks, etc.

Try also changing your diet a bit and see how you feel. There's a lot of information on this site just for that purpose. YET, I would first see a specialist to locate the issue. 1 year of suffering is far too long for anyone.---LMT
 
Hi 'Luv my twins@. Thanks for your reply. I havent seen a neurologist yet but have the doctor on Tuesday and will ask for a referral. One thing I didnt mention was that I had a ttingly feeling all day on Tuesday past, like something crawling under my skin. I also felt relly tired and just generally rubbish. When i went to bed that night, I had the tingly feeling in my arms and legs. Every time I was about to fall asleep, I would violently jerk and be fully awake again. After jerking awake 7 times, I noticed that the tingly feeling was gone and I got to sleep no problem. I wonder whether this 'jerking' was actally seizures. However, the next day I was extremely tired, poor concentration ETC.

I certainly think I should see a specialist.
 
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Check out Mr. B's Epilepsy 101 link. He has a lot of information about the different types. The jerking sounds like myoclonic seizures, but I wouldn't presume accuracy as I'm lucky to have the ones where you pass out. Nonetheless, get to a specialist----at least they can check your brain out!--LMT
 
Hi Ian :hello: Welcome to CWE!

It sounds like you could be having seizures, but I'm not a doctor so I can't say. Try to see a specialist as soon as possible. In the meantime, have a look through the forums. There's all sorts of information available about various forms of seizures and many alternative therapies for controlling the seizures. I second LMT suggestion to review your diet. We're able to control my son's complex partial seizures through diet and nutrition.
 
Welcome ian2682

First off allow me to explain NEVER ask for a diagnosis on the internet.

BUT----what you have described are simple partical seizures and a few other types as well. Lost conciousness is NOT always a factor, especially with simple particals. Get another doctor QUICK! Get to a neurologist. You will most likely get an EEG done. Write down all your symptoms, like you did in your post, or even print that up and take it with you. What you have described will be very useful to the neuro.

Fatigue after seizures is very normal.
 
go see a neurologist. You have a strong history of epilepsy in yourfamily, and any med school graduate should know that you don't have to go unconcious to have a seizure...Sorry, I think your doc is a ninny.

In the meantime, stay away from caffeine, find a healthy way to deal with stress (yoga/meditation/prayer/exercise etc..), and make sure that you get 7 hours of sleep each night.
 
Most importantly, I would try a new doctor altogether. It sounds like this doctor isn't really listening to you. I might be wrong but that is the impression I got. There is nothing worse than feeling as bad as you do and having nobody pay attention to you. Best of luck at your appt, I hope they can finally do something to give you some answers.
 
Dear Ian,
Your symptoms sound like it could be a simple partial seizure disorder. There are other diagnoses that have already been ruled out. Your primary physician is an idiot if he doesn't know that loss of consciousness does not rule out epilepsy. You say your ears have been checked. I recommend a gadolinium enhanced MRI if it's not been done.Anti depressants (SSRis like fluoxetine in particular) are known to increase seizure frequency in some people. Get a neuro and get an EEG ASAP. Are these episodes precipitated by heavy exercise? if so then you need a 2d echocardiogram and maybe a visit to a cardiologist.

Hope i've been of help
Arvind.
P.S. it is not wise to seek diagnostic help online , although i'm happy to provide help , you should be SEEN by a doctor. no one can diagnose you from a computer screen with certainty.
 
Hello- I think that when you had your EKG or cardiology testing done, they were looking for syncope which can cause you to faint- basically syncope is fainting. I would though ask to see a neurologist- they could even do ENG/EMG or electromyography to check your nerves or muscles and how they react to things- maybe that might help if they feel it necessary. I would also try adding some vitamines such as chlorella, spirulina/raw food- vitamin D as calcium.
Take care and best of luck with everything..
 
Well, I have

to agree with the others here, you have a nincompoop for a doctor. Time to get on the doctor merry go round and find a new one. YOU pay THEIR salary, remember? *eyeroll*

You've already gone through the testing to rule out almost everything to what seems known to man........get yourself hooked up to an EEG. Preferably to at LEAST A 24 hr EEG so that the jerks that you spoke of when sleeping can be recorded. And YES, those DO sound like myoclonic seizures, as I have those myself. You described EXACTLY what I do at times if I don't take my meds for a few days.

I just cannot get over the fact that they ignored the family hx.........:paperbag:

BTW, Welcome to CWE, I'm sure you are going to like it here. :bigmouth::bigsmile:

Take care,

Meetz
:rock:
 
The jerking when you fall asleep sounds like myoclonic jerks. I hve epilepsy and that side effect is part of my medication. So is the tingling all over my body. My nero said he has never heard of that before but after I researched my meds it was right there. Write down what they say and do lots of research. Docs dont know everyting.
 
Hello Ian,
welcome to the board

You definitely need see another doctor,yes that doctor does sound like a nincompoop as others have said .You need to see a neurologist , or epileptologist.
An EEG is what it sounds like u need.

Belinda:e::twocents:
 
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