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ekm12

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Wow, where to start. Well I am epileptic, have been my whole life. It wasn't until recently that I ''heard'' about Simple Partial Seizures. I haven't had a grand mal seizure in two years. & when that happened it was a reaction to the Zoloft I was taking. Because before that, I hadn't had them since...Middle school? I will be 20 in Sept.

I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression...for as long as I can remember. I have the typical ''rough life'' story. All sorts of abuse from dad and his drug/alcohol issues. My mom's other abusive exes and a few of my own. etc. So, naturally I have anxiety and depression. Well, it wasn't until a week ago that I did some research and found out that Epilepsy is thought to be linked to depression and anxiety. Is this proven or just a thought?

What started my search for answers was when I was being told that everything that is going on is my anxiety and its in my head. Well, I kept smelling something burning. But there was nothing burning, ever. & anyone around me didn't smell it. For the longest I thought it was just anxiety as well because it only happened at a certain place I've been known to have anxiety. Well, it happened at another place that I almost never have anxiety at. I got fed up and looked it up. I read that, that was related to seizures.

I have headaches a lot more frequently now. As well as migraines. I was told this was just stress and/or a mix of menstrual migraines. I have these pains in my head where its a quick pain in a small place for like 30 seconds then it goes away. I was told that was a form of headache. I don't know. I have weakness in my left arm and leg that happen fairly randomly. One night about two months ago, I woke in the middle of the night and couldn't move my left leg. Scared the mess out of me. Doctor says I could've woken from a seizure. Never tested, I was supposed to be but then medicaid kicked me off because I am 19 now. I have no money for tests or medication much less the appt to talk to my doctor about all these questions I have. So that worries me.

I am feeling anxiety at the most random times, which I read can be a warning of seizure is sudden fear. I read that mood swings and irritability could be too. I have that as well. I have chest pains (not sure if that's related to epilepsy or not but I do have arrhythmia and heart burn issues so could be that.) 9 times out of 10, it happens when I've been standing for long periods of time, working (I work at a fast food restaurant and I am constantly going so my heart is racing.) A lot of my episodes happen at work. But happen at other times too. I am nauseated almost daily. I get dizzy pretty often. A lot of times at work I can't focus, I forget a lot of things. When I sit down and rest though sometimes it calms it but most of the time I just have to let it run its course. I have frequent stomach problems. As a matter of fact since this past Saturday I have had upset stomach. But I am not sick. I have neck pains that are usually just an achey feeling. Here lately I've been very emotional. Like I was riding in the car with my best friend and was laughing very hard at something they said and suddenly burst into tears. I don't know why. I also have palpitations more frequently now. (Again, could be due to my arrhythmia or ''anxiety'') but can epilepsy cause that? I think I am an insomniac as well. I have never really talked to my doctor about it because I've always had a hard time sleeping. Does it have something to do with this as well? Having random not very frequent eye pain too. I assume has to do with migraines.

I'm sure there's a lot I'm leaving out but, that's what comes to mind right now. I'm really worried. Should I be? Does this sound like SPS? During these episodes I don't lose consciousness so, I assume its Partial seizures. But I don't know for sure. What do you guys think? Anyone have a case like me? If this seems to be partial seizures do I really need to rush to get meds? As I said I have no insurance right now and I'm very tight on money.
 
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Hi ekm12, welcome to CWE!

You've got a lot of stuff going on with many possible diagnoses. Your symptoms could be variously due to anxiety, migraines, seizures, cardiac issues, dietary issues, medication side effects -- singly or in combination. Since you don't have the insurance to be fully evaluated by a doctor or treated by meds, one of the most useful things you can do is keep a symptom diary. If your symptoms are escalating in frequency, duration, or kind, are significantly affecting your quality of life, and/or are putting you or others at risk, then you would need to make seeing a medical professional a priority.

The symptom diary can also potentially help you to identify and avoid triggers. For instance you mention "menstrual migraines" -- if you have symptoms at consistent times of the months, your symptoms could be triggered by estrogen spikes, and avoiding estrogenic foods or changing your birth control (if relevant) might help. If your symptoms occur when you are on your feet for long periods of time, you may have issues with low blood sugar, low blood pressure, or dehydration. You mention having poor sleep -- fatigue is the #1 trigger for people with epilepsy, and can affect every aspect of your health. You mention having stomach problems -- perhaps you have a food sensitivity which is triggering. Some folks have found that eliminating certain foods/additives (such as gluten, MSG, aspartame, caffeine) or adding certain nutrients (magnesium, B-vitamins, omega 3s) can reduce their symptoms.

I hope this helps a bit. An actual diagnosis would be nice of course, but the next best thing is finding ways to mitigate the symptoms regardless of their cause.

Best,
Nakamova
 
My heart is perfectly healthy aside from arrythmia. I already talked to the dr about it and he sent me to a cardiologist near the beginning of the year. I lost insurance about 2 months ago. Up til that point I was at the dr almost weekly. But it wasn't til now that I considered partial seizures.the dr just blamed everything on anxiety. Yes, I am on birth control. Sprintec specifically but that is the only med I am on.
 
Sorry so many things are going on for you. It really sucks to be blindsided by any health issue. Especially when it is playing with your mind.

Do you have any clinics that help people without insurance? I would recommend trying to get a consultation with a neurologist that specialized in epilepsy. And usually hospital will work with younger people who don't have the funds for health issues. It might be worth a try to get on financial aid and possibly see what the neuro says. The usual procedure is getting and MRI and a EEG. But without insurance they might just run an EEG.

From what I recall the MRI is to find any structural problems with the brain and the EEG would be used to pick up brain waves that would reflect seizure activity.

Hope you get some relief and answers.
 
You're right it sucks. But I'm not aware of any clinics, I guess I'll have to do my research. Hopefully I'll find something!
 
Wow, where to start. Well I am epileptic, have been my whole life. It wasn't until recently that I ''heard'' about Simple Partial Seizures. I haven't had a grand mal seizure in two years. & when that happened it was a reaction to the Zoloft I was taking. Because before that, I hadn't had them since...Middle school? I will be 20 in Sept.

I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression...for as long as I can remember. I have the typical ''rough life'' story. All sorts of abuse from dad and his drug/alcohol issues. My mom's other abusive exes and a few of my own. etc. So, naturally I have anxiety and depression. Well, it wasn't until a week ago that I did some research and found out that Epilepsy is thought to be linked to depression and anxiety. Is this proven or just a thought?

Were you taking medication for the grand mal seizures two years ago? Are you still taking any meds for seizures?

I have E and also suffer from depression,as do many people with Epilepsy. My epilpeptologist once asked me if there was abuse when I was growing up because of the type of seizures I have, originating deep in my hippocampus.
I've had TC's (what used to be called grand mal), and CP seizures for years and suffer with the depression, also. I still take Zoloft along with seizure meds.

Here is a link on the subject:
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/interprob_depress
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/interprob_anxiety
 
No, because like I said above, I haven't had them in years before that. The one I had 2 years ago was induced by the Zoloft, so I am off of meds because they thought that I outgrew the seizures. So currently, no I am not on meds. I used to be on Tegratol (I guess that's how you spell it).

Thanks for the links!!!
 
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