For months I've had olfactory hallucinations of ammonia after running (not every run but most). Within the last month, I've noticed on 3 separate occurrences the same smell while not running. The last occurance before the hallucination I had a bit of vertigo as well. I've seen a neurologist, my eeg was normal (however I had quire a bit of twitching during the strobe portion) and my MRI was normal. The neurologist thinks I'm having simple partial seizures in the temporal lobe and I'm seeing him next week to discuss medicine. I'm concerned with the fact that the olfactory hallucinations seem to be getting more frequent. Is this common with simple partial epilepsy?
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frequency of simple partial increasing??
- Thread starter eliza0104
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Well, since running is a trigger, you might want to consider decreasing the time/distance/intensity you run until you are stable on medication. Also consider other potential triggers such as stress, less sleep, alcohol, inadequate hydration and nutrition, etc. Have these changed in the last month?
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There is no "common" with epilepsy unfortunately. There are so many individual variables that it's tough to predict how seizures might progress for any one person. In general though, untreated seizures have a tendency to progress over time. If you've noticed a pattern of escalation, the best thing to do is to identify and avoid the trigger(s) if at all possible, and/or seek to control the seizures with medication or other treatment. That approach has the highest chance of "nipping things in bud".Is this common with simple partial epilepsy?
If it is related to running, it may just be your body burning protein instead of carbs. I've smelled ammonia after long runs as well.
See this post on the subject.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/smelling-ammonia-after-workout-14863/
See this post on the subject.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/smelling-ammonia-after-workout-14863/
Dignan, thank you for that link. I've researched that a lot and held off going to the doctor for awhile BC I thought of this. A few things concerned me however, 1) I used to he strict Paleo and very low carb and never ran into this 2) my carb intake now is fairly high 3) my sweat doesn't Smell just I can smell it
Certainly if you are concerned and truly feel this is seizure related then you should speak to you doctor. I just wanted to give you another take on the subject.
I know, for me, this ammonia smell workout thing, has occurred with more prevalence at different times, and I also had the smell more in my nose even after showering off the sweat or when the sweat itself didnt seem to smell that much. My brother in law, who does not have seizures, but who is also a runner has reported similar experiences. I had read on exercise forums that wasn't unusual (supposedly the ammonia is release through urine, but if there is too much, you will smell in the lungs or you will sweat it out).
I can't speak to how much carbs vs how much exercise may be a factor in your case, but I know my neuro wasn't an "exercise" guy and i didnt feel he would have been the best one to ask, since I didnt want him overreacting.
Of course, you know your body best, so again if this is a concern for you, then ask your doctor.
I know, for me, this ammonia smell workout thing, has occurred with more prevalence at different times, and I also had the smell more in my nose even after showering off the sweat or when the sweat itself didnt seem to smell that much. My brother in law, who does not have seizures, but who is also a runner has reported similar experiences. I had read on exercise forums that wasn't unusual (supposedly the ammonia is release through urine, but if there is too much, you will smell in the lungs or you will sweat it out).
I can't speak to how much carbs vs how much exercise may be a factor in your case, but I know my neuro wasn't an "exercise" guy and i didnt feel he would have been the best one to ask, since I didnt want him overreacting.
Of course, you know your body best, so again if this is a concern for you, then ask your doctor.
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