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jenleland

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Hi all! Possible Complex Partial Seizure...should I get a second opinion?

I was diagnosed a few years ago...with syncope. Basically saying I have a tendency to pass out for no reason!? I knew they were wrong. I have what I call my deja vu episodes. I've had these since I was a young adult. They usually last a few seconds to a few minutes. I get a feeling of deja vu...also confused...forget how to complete the tasks at hand...and to try to get myself out of it, I usually fidget or rub my fingers...or tap my leg, etc. I have completely lost consciousness...passing out at work, especially when I was pregnant which was the first time I ever saw a Dr about this...that's when he said it was syncope. The time before that, I was pregnant (same child) and passed out in the bathroom and busted my chin open on the floor. I have passed out other times as well, but have more episodes without passing out.
I have had them while driving as well. I pull over and wait it out. It actually usually drains me for quite a while afterwards recently. There are no warning signs except the deja vu. I thought I was psychic when I was younger lmbo!!! I'm sick of not knowing what might happen to me or my family. I'm a single momma of two kiddos..my son is 15 and has seen me during these episodes. I just let him know to be prepared to call grandma...or 911.
Do you guys think these could be seizures? Or is it syncope?
 
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Hello! What you describe sounds very much like a simple and/or complex partial seizure. There can be some overlap in symptoms, but everything you describe sounds waaay more like a seizure than syncope. In my understanding, syncope is essentially dizziness, but does not have the stereotypical movements, automatisms, odd psychic sensations and alteration (or loss) of consciousness that seizures do. Have you seen a neurologist or epileptologist? Also, keep a record of when you have these spells. That can be helpful in diagnosing or in finding triggers, as well as knowing exactly how many you are having. Best of luck! Keep us informed!
 
HI!

I agree with what arnie says. Best way to take care of the problem is see a specialist. Our personal experiences with auras ans whatnot can vary from person to person. I will get Deja-vu during a simple-partial sezure, but will have Jamais-vu after a tonic/clonic seizure. Write down your experiences when you have them so you can talk about them with a specialist.

Welcome, btw. :)
 
Many of the things that you describe happen to me before and during seizures.

Deja vu happens a good bit before a seizure. Sometimes during these I'll also feel like things in the room aren't in the right place and people are in the room that aren't really there. Many times during these my lips will tingle too.

I've had seizures that I don't black out during and last a few minutes. During these I'm usually very confused about things. I really don't realize that it's going on when it is, just after it happened. A few days ago I was trying to make a cup of hot chocolate. I couldn't figure out which way the cup went, where the mix was in the cupboard, which container the milk was in and that I had to stir it.

During the seizures that I black out during I usually don't have any warning before those. I just black out then after 5 minutes or so I come to. If there's no one there to see me have it then I don't even know it happened.

I'd defiantly see a neurologist or epileptologist and get their opinion. And also as said keep a journal of when these happened and what went on during them. This helps the dr understand better about your situation.

I'd be careful on driving. I don't know how often these things happen or if you have any warning. You don't want to wreck.
 
Thanks so much for your input guys! It definitely sounds too familiar...forgetting how to complete simple daily tasks...I will get to a Dr. I have put myself on the back burner for my kids...it's time to suck it up and take care of me. I never would have thought these were seizures without this forum! Thanks all!!!

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I did some research before coming here...but to hear from "real" people has pushed me to get myself evaluated.

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jenleland said:
I was diagnosed a few years ago...with syncope. Basically saying I have a tendency to pass out for no reason!? I knew they were wrong. I have what I call my deja vu episodes. I've had these since I was a young adult. They usually last a few seconds to a few minutes. I get a feeling of deja vu...also confused...forget how to complete the tasks at hand...and to try to get myself out of it, I usually fidget or rub my fingers...or tap my leg, etc. I have completely lost consciousness...passing out at work, especially when I was pregnant which was the first time I ever saw a Dr about this...that's when he said it was syncope. The time before that, I was pregnant (same child) and passed out in the bathroom and busted my chin open on the floor. I have passed out other times as well, but have more episodes without passing out.
Click to expand...

As others have said, this all sounds like seizures, the rubbing of your fingers and the tapping on your legs sound like CPs. Passing out in the bathroom sounds like a TC. One can have both types of seizures. I've had TC's and many, many CPs where I don't actually fall and pass out, but I am not fully aware of my surroundings nor can I speak for a few minutes. The deja vu is also a part of it all.

jenleland said:
I have had them while driving as well. I pull over and wait it out. It actually usually drains me for quite a while afterwards recently. There are no warning signs except the deja vu. I thought I was psychic when I was younger lmbo!!! I'm sick of not knowing what might happen to me or my family. I'm a single momma of two kiddos..my son is 15 and has seen me during these episodes. I just let him know to be prepared to call grandma...or 911.
Do you guys think these could be seizures? Or is it syncope?
Click to expand...

Please, DO NOT drive while you experience these deja vu's. That is a simple partial seizure and some day it may not be enough warning for you to pull over. I have two grown children and they both grew up witnessing many CPs and a few TCs. They had to call 911 several times. When my kids were old enough to drive, they had to drive me places or I had to find my own rides. Accidents/seizures can and DO happen! When I finally was able to drive again after being seizure free for a few years, I had a a break-thru CP seizure. I had to give up my license. Fortunately, I only slammed into a tree and totaled my car. I only injured myself.
 
Sorry...what are TCs and the difference between the two?

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Tonic-clonic seizures are what used to be called grand mal seizures. They are the kind that most people associate with epilepsy: The person loses consciousness and convulses. Other kinds of seizures include absence seizures -- those are very brief moments when the brain switches on and off. To the observer it looks as if the person is day-dreaming or out of it for a few seconds. Simple partial seizures can take a wide variety of forms. During a simple partial the person is fully conscious but experiences some kind of sensory distortion -- things like visual disturbances, phantom smells, deja vu, fear or nausea, etc. Simple partials are also called auras when they are followed by tonic-clonic seizures. During Complex partial seizures the person has impaired awareness or consciousness, as if they were sleep-walking. They may make automatic movements such as lip-smacking or picking at their clothes. They might speak gibberish, or do things they have no memory of later.

More about all the different kinds of seizures here: http://epilepsyhaltonpeel.org/index.php/about-epilepsy/epilepsy-seizure-types/
 
Thanks for the link! After reading them, it sounds like complex partial seizures that I've been experiencing. It always takes a few minutes afterwards to gain gull consciousness and to remember how to complete or finish what I was doing. But the one at work recently really took a toll on me mentally and physically. Maybe because it was in public and during a one on one interaction with someone...but it's the one that made me look further into what was really going on with me.

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Gonna go to the Dr after the holidays. I'll let you all know the outcome. Thanks all for your input! It's much appreciated :)

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Hello Jenleland,
To me it sounds like you have simple partial seizures. The aura feeling you are describing happens to me too, but mine is followed by a complex partial seizure where I pretty much blank out. I will smack my lips, pick at my clothes, shake my leg, sometimes mumble, and when I come to the only thing I remember is the aura feeling I had. I am usually exhausted afterward and need to take a nap. Since it sounds like you do not have the second part I would say it is probably simple partial seizures.
 
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