G'day all from Australia, I need some advice

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Hi,

I was diagnosed with partial seizures about 2 years ago and have experienced a few different variations. The problem is I don't know what they are called. I have a seizure diary but just refer to the different types by what I associate them with i.e. reset, the wanders, flashbulb, fade out, zone out etc.

Is there a list of seizure types and their behaviours somewhere so I don't look or sound like a goose when I speak to my Neuro Prof?

Cheers

Damian
 
Howdy Damian, welcome to CWE!

It sounds like you may be describing absence seizures and/or partial seizures. Below are some links to get good general descriptions of the kinds of symptoms associated with these seizures, and the site provides descriptions of other seizure types as well.

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/absence-seizures
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/simple-partial-seizures
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-seizures/complex-partial-seizures

To me, "reset" and "zone out" sound like absence seizures. The brain flips on and off briefly. An observer might think you are daydreaming.

"The wanders" sounds like a complex partial, where a person is conscious, but with impaired awareness -- a bit like sleepwalking.

"Flashbulb" sounds like a subset of simple partial seizure that features sensory distortions, including visual disruptions -- things like flashing or scintillating shapes in the field of vision.

But if possible, you should provide a bit more description, especially when you are talking to your neuro:

1. Are you fully conscious and aware during the event? (If not, is there someone else who can provide a description of what occurs?)

2. How long does the event last?

3. What are the physical, physiological, emotional, mental aspects of the events. Do you twitch or move uncontrollably? Do you see, hear, smell, taste, feel things that are strange or hallucinatory? Do you fget goosebumps or feel nauseous? Do experience deja vu, jamais vu, or out-of-body sensations? etc...

Even if you're not sure if something is seizure-related, make a note of it anyway.

Cheers!
Nakamova
 
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Hi Damien

Welcome to cwe, I see you're an Aussie and from Melbourne. I see in your comment you mentioned neurologist professor. Do you see an epiologist?

I'm Also an Aussie (there are a couple of us on here).

I live on the nsw / Vic border but go to an epilepsy clinic at Austin Health in Heidelberg for treatment for my epilepsy.
 
! ! ! ! Welcome to cwe damian ! ! ! !

Ask your questions! You will get comments from many people when you post your questions. Anytime you have a question about E there are many members of CWE who can answer that question because of their years of experience dealing with their own E.
I have lived with absence seizures for 50+ years and know what it is like to 'space out' and lose some time while a seizure occurs. :twocents:

acshuman
 
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