Have a question, possible epilepsy is infrequent

[crashbang]

Yay!
Like so many others have probably said I am so glad to have found this forum!
Although none of my symptoms and am now learning episodes have severly affected my life it is so good to finally have some answers, a word for this, a description and or something that can be articulated by others!

I have so much to learn and feel a little overwhelmed at the moment.
I do have a question though. These symptoms/episodes have diminished over the years. I do not have them very often. What does this mean for me?
Can epilepsy resolve itself? Geez I feel so ignorant.

I am not 100% sure I have temporal lobe epilepsy as I am at the beginning of all this. But because I take stimulants (Adderall) I need to at least investigate the possibility.

Below is a brief footnote version of my symptoms.

Ahh! again..so glad I found this forum.

*********
I am just putting the pieces together in the last 6 months. I did not think to ever research these kinds of things until I started taking Adderall and on a hunch decided to run a search on my sleep and sensory problems. This has now lead me here.

I have suffered (not really suffered as endured, or dealt with) such things as sleep paralysis and restless leg syndrome since I was a child. I have been always able to lucid dream.
In concert with that I have on and off experienced (although diminished as an adult) times where I would have two specific kinds of episodes happen.

1. Always happening around bed time. Not sure because of stress or whatnot but as I would lay down for bed I would hear my own inner monologue litterally screaming at me. Not talking to me, but basically my thoughts being amplified to such heights I would get to the point of crying. As this was happening I would go into a trance like state (zoning out) although still aware. My bedroom walls would feel as if they were moving in towards me and then out and expanding. I would feel "tiny" haha that's the only way to describe it. As if I were sinking into my bed. I would not be able to sleep.

2. This has happened all my life and still happens to this day, although infrequently. I will be sitting or in the bath or listening to conversation or at the computer, ect. Out of no where I will zone out. A buzzing sound will start to occur in my ears. Sounds, people talking sound far away and a little delayed or slow. I will not be able to really function while this is happening, just kind of sit there. I am fully aware however and to the average person I think I look like I am not paying attn or staring at them but not listening. suddenly, like a snap of the fingers it just stops and time/sounds speed right back to normal and the episode is over. This whole thing usually last anywhere for 20 seconds to a 1minute.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi CrashBang!

Welcome to the site!

Because so much about epilepsy is either unknown or unique to the individual, there is very little that is entirely predictable about it. So, in answer to your question "Can epilepsy resolve itself?", the answer is a qualified "Yes." Some seizures that start in childhood will later diminish or disappear post-puberty. Some epilepsy is linked to nutritional, circulatory, hormonal, or other similarly mutable factors, so as those factors are altered (either consciously or unconsciously), those seizures can change as well. And sometimes seizure patterns change for no obvious reason.

The episodes that you describe where you "zone out" sound like simple partial seizures. Have you mentioned them to your doctor? I would recommend you do so, since usually you want to avoid stimulants like Adderall if you have epilepsy and/or restless leg syndrome. (Restless Leg Syndrome is on a spectrum with epilepsy, as a kind of misfiring of the brain, and can be caused by excessive caffeine or other stimulants, or by low iron.) If you can, pay attention to when your episodes are happening and see if you can find out what the triggers might be. The trigger might be something that takes place as long as 24 to 48 hours before the seizure, so it's a good idea to keep a journal, and record things like what you eat, how much sleep you get, what sort of stresses you are experiencing, how long you are on the computer and when, etc...

Best,
Nakamova

 

[crashbang]

Ah I see. Being so new to this I am barely skimming the surfaces on possible causes. From little that I thought I new about epilepsy, I was of the thought that you either had it, and had it for life or did not. I am now seeing by your post and the little research I have done that so many factors can come into play.

I also agree that keeping a journal or private blog is the best route right now. so that when I do go see a doctor I have a lot of information for him. But more importantly to figure out my triggers as I still am unsure beyond stress/lack of sleep could have caused them. they just seem so random.

Thanks for writing back.
No more question for now as I plan to read through the forum and make headway into learning about epilepsy
Cheers!

 

[dfwtexas]

I got diagnosed last year at age 47. I have both simple and complex partials. My father had had two seizures (one grande mal and one TC) at age 47 due to change in his medication. He was on seizure meds for 2 years when he was able to be weaned off and has not had seizures again. He just turned 76.
My neuro thinks my seizures will not do the same, as they are very different. But you never know with seizures...everyone is very different.

 

[RobinN]

My daughters seem to be nutritionally based. She is gaining control as she improves her eating habits. It have been a life lesson for us, how important nutrition is. This affects so many organs, and body functions. Not a quick fix (like a pill), but over time it will be a better answer for us.

Welcome to CWE. I am sure you will find some great answers around the forum, and a few new friends too. Be well.