Lost (literally)

[huskymom]

Hi all!

Lately I have had a lot of trouble of getting lost. This sounds so strange, but I normally get "lost" in normal places. I will go in the bathroom and then I can't think of where I am in relation to the rest of the space. Does that make sense? I know where I am , but I don't know where to go from there or what I will see when I open the door. Happens in other rooms and places too. Seems to be coming more often. Any thoughts? Just old? Crazy?? :lol:

 

[Endless]

Oh, huskymom. I'm so sorry. That's one of my least favorite kinds of seizures. Jamais Vu. It's when you don't recognize something that you should.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamais_vu


When I get it, during the seizure I'm just puzzled. All there is really is the seizure. I'm not really panicked in the middle of it, just completely absorbed in trying to figure out where I am and what I'm seeing. After it goes away I'm saying to myself, "What the *#$@?!" It's very disconcerting. I've had it happen when I'm driving (I'm very able to drive just don't know where I am), and that is not scary in the moment, but shakes me up afterwards.

Hang in there. It only lasts a few minutes. That is, until it happens again.

I seem to be saying this a lot lately: You are not senile, crazy, or any other thing you are afraid of. You are okay, you just happen to have epilepsy. <<<hugs>>>

 

[mel239]

couple weeks ago I was on the wrong road looking for a grocery store I go to all the time-drove up and down that major route panicked in all that traffic til my friend called and told me it was one road over

 

[epileric]

It's happened to me but very rarely. So far its never been inside though, it's always going down the street where I'll look for a store (for example) at the intersection & it's not there because I thought I was facing south when I was facing north, even though I knew I was walking north the whole way there.

 

[huskymom]

It has been happening A LOT! driving...at work...at home. I got mega lost in Penny's the other day. Who gets lost in a store? Especially a woman?? I don't panic, it is just a very strange feeling! I almost stopped and asked one of the clerks to help me out. How sad is that!! Should I mention this to my doc next time I see him?

 

[epileric]

I would say yes. Definitely mention it & if it's irrelevant they'll just ignore it like doctors do.

 

[elizzza811]

I'm not sure if this is the same thing, but when I'm in the grocery store, for example, shopping for say...?...tuna fish...and I'm reading the signs hanging over the aisles...'toilet paper, cat litter, baking needs, snack foods, canned vegetables, canned meats'...for some reason it takes me forever to realize that the 'canned meats' aisle is the aisle I need to approach, and I'll even pass the correct aisle pacing back and forth reading and re-reading the signs.

 

[Trinity]

I'm not sure if this is the same thing, but when I'm in the grocery store, for example, shopping for say...?...tuna fish...and I'm reading the signs hanging over the aisles...'toilet paper, cat litter, baking needs, snack foods, canned vegetables, canned meats'...for some reason it takes me forever to realize that the 'canned meats' aisle is the aisle I need to approach, and I'll even pass the correct aisle pacing back and forth reading and re-reading the signs.

This is exactly what happens with me. I am not sure if it's the same either or if it's a side effect of medication or just generally an effect of having had so many seizures in my early life (my seizures are controlled now - well, at least the tonic clonics, not sure if I am having partials). It's kind of good to know i'm not the only one.

 

[Chel]

I have a GPS for driving and walking around streets; I only wish they made them for stores.

 

[Endless]

I do that one, too. At least for me, getting lost is a little different than jamais vu. getting lost i see things and know where i am, i still look around trying to figure out where i am, i know i am lost or can't find something. i'll read signs, may pass the right way by a few times. jamais vu, i literally don't recognize the place or thing or person. i have no idea what i'm looking at. i may know i'm in a store, but it's like i've never been in a piggly wiggly before. hard to describe - total non-recognition. all i can do is stand there puzzled. it's a really unique feeling. don't know what yours feel like???

 

[Ann T.]

Huskymom:

Before you get behind the wheel again, please think about this: I do not want you to lose your freedom, so for your safety & to preserve your sanity, please drive with a friend or relative, no matter the inconvenience. Also, I think pretty much everyone @ this site has had jamais vu episode(s). I agree with Endless. To me, they're the most puzzling & annoying. I often have them in stores & restrooms (in the cubicle, of course!). My brain would have it no other way! And, since I can't drive, I take a friend or my mom with me into the store or into the restroom...to preserve what sanity I have left after hugging toilet paper so hard the packaging changes shape, or gripping & shaking cereal boxes so hard they tear open. Ugh. :~{ Take care, Huskymom & other jamais vu CWE pals.

 

[daisy.girl]

Is this the same kind of thing?

I will be somewhere, and be thinking of my house.....and for the life of me, I cannot 'pull up' a visual map or picture of my house. It will take me a very long time to 'see' where the family room is in relation to the bedrooms or bathroom.

I am not sure if this makes any sense to anyone; but it has happened to me a lot lately.

 

[Endless]

Hmmmm... might be. Might also be a memory issue. Our memory can be like swiss cheese sometimes. Or maybe all the times.

 

[paradise survivor]

shhhewww, I thought it was just me:woot: I have stood in front of the silver ware draw just stumped! I will say most May be medication...Topamax(dopamax) and now Keppra xr (different times in the journey for the 'holy grail of 'rightmeds')the Keppra has been removed and I have noticed some improvement. Now I am on Vimpat for a week and 2 days, also phenobarbitol, I am on the 'wait and see' planop: