My brain hates me

[lindsayschu2]

I've never really talked to people who have epilepsy since mine has been under almost complete control for 30 years, but nothing seems controlled--or controllable--now, and i find myself with questions! It seems like everything is going haywire--migraines, complex partials, what seem to be myclonic seizures and now today, auras off and on all day so far. My brain has it in for me So can you all tell me: Do you ever have auras that just keep coming? My dr says they are simple partials but they are mild fleeting deja vus, like my complex partials but nowhere near as bad. I had an MRI yesterday and am worried I have some hideous disease. I guess I want to know if having a variety of uncontrolled seizures could just be epilepsy compounded by a significant concussion early in the year and not a brain tumor! Thanks for understanding this woman's near hysterical rant.

 

[Nakamova]

Hey linds, one of the most predictable things about epilepsy is that it's... unpredictable. Since we are changing all the time in multiple ways, our seizures can potentially change too. Just for starters, your concussion is a huge factor in lowering your seizure threshold. And that kind of stressor can lead to another -- like fatigue or illness -- that then snowballs and make things worse. It can be a vicious cycle where seizures disrupt sleep which leads to fatigue which in turn triggers more seizures... This is also a tough time of year. It can bring a lot of pressures emotionally and environmentally, so perhaps your recent flurry of seizures reflects that as well.

The line between simple and complex partials can be fuzzy, but if you are fully conscious during the deja vus, then your doctor is right in calling them simple partials. (Complex partials feature impaired awareness or consciousness). Some people do get a whole mess of partials over the course of a day -- you're definitely not alone in this. These CWE threads may be helpful to check out: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/possible-constant-aura-dont-know-what-think-9726/ and http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/help-constand-auras-need-someone-talk-10054/ and http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/auras-14884/

I'm so sorry you're going through this bad patch, but given your seizure history I think it's unlikely that a brain tumor or disease is suddenly playing a role. It can be scary waiting and wondering though, and I hope you get some answers soon. Keep us posted.

:hugs:

 

[arnie]

Hello! As usual, I second what Nakamova says. I will add that what you describe sounds quite a lot like the simple partials I have quite frequently, i.e. several hundred per year. I don't consider them auras because, in my understanding, auras, while they may share elements of simple partial seizures, are precursors to tonic clonic seizures. As Nakamova said, though, some of the lines and definitions are kind of blurry and a bit variable. In any case, they sound like simple partials, and I would suggest you keep a record of the times that you have them so you can see if there is a pattern and so that you will be able to show your doc what the frequency is. Keep on keepin' on!

 

[MAB]

I've never really talked to people who have epilepsy since mine has been under almost complete control for 30 years, but nothing seems controlled--or controllable--now, and i find myself with questions! It seems like everything is going haywire--migraines, complex partials, what seem to be myclonic seizures and now today, auras off and on all day so far. My brain has it in for me So can you all tell me: Do you ever have auras that just keep coming? My dr says they are simple partials but they are mild fleeting deja vus, like my complex partials but nowhere near as bad. I had an MRI yesterday and am worried I have some hideous disease. I guess I want to know if having a variety of uncontrolled seizures could just be epilepsy compounded by a significant concussion early in the year and not a brain tumor! Thanks for understanding this woman's near hysterical rant.

Sorry about your relapse. Yes I have auras or simple partials that either last a very long time or just come so close together that I can't tell if it's one long seizure or lots of smaller ones very close together. Usually happens when I am ill, sinus infections seem to trigger especially bad partials.

Try to stay healthy and get as much rest as possible.

 

[lindsayschu2]

Thanks Nakamova and Arne--your support seriously almost made me cry. Sorry to be cheesy but I've been unable to talk to anyone about this for fear of them not understanding or worrying, and my Dr is not a very informative man. I started getting the partials on mile 4 of an 8 mile hill run on the steepest part, and it must have tripped them off (I was 4 miles out so clearly had to finish the next 4 to get back). I took an extra Clonazepam and have chilled out the rest of the day and they've really tapered off. Crossing fingers that going to sleep will be OK tonight!

 

[valeriedl]

I agree with everything that everyone else has said.

As far as talking to others about seizures it can be hard because it's not happening to them so they really don't understand what you mean when you are trying to describe it. My neurologist does understand when I tell him about things. I've been having a lot of auras/partials lately. My neuro started asking me if I do certain things during them and he was right on just about all of it, I didn't have to really describe anything, he did the describing for me. If you don't like your neuro or are having problems I'd seriously looking into getting another one.

That run really could have brought on those seizures. If I overexert myself there's a good chance that I will have a seizure.

 

[Janellie8]

Hello

I just want to say that I love your title.. because I think my brain hates me too!!
Anyways, I have auras I would say almost everyday, sometimes I am a couple days without seizures or auras. When I have these auras sometimes I have a seizure right after and sometimes I don't. But I understand when you say that the auras just keep coming! For me its like they are happening over and over but with no seizure (that's good at least). Hope you are feeling better

Hugs,
Janellie

 

[MAB]

Hello

I just want to say that I love your title.. because I think my brain hates me too!!
Anyways, I have auras I would say almost everyday, sometimes I am a couple days without seizures or auras. When I have these auras sometimes I have a seizure right after and sometimes I don't. But I understand when you say that the auras just keep coming! For me its like they are happening over and over but with no seizure (that's good at least). Hope you are feeling better

Hugs,
Janellie

Janellie, from my understanding, auras are seizures. They are partial seizures and they can be a warning that a different type of seizure is coming. I'm sure if I'm wrong someone can set the record straight.

 

[Janellie8]

Janellie, from my understanding, auras are seizures. They are partial seizures and they can be a warning that a different type of seizure is coming. I'm sure if I'm wrong someone can set the record straight.

MAB,

Okay now I'm confused what I'm having then? I need to talk to my doctor! Thanks

Janellie

 

[CQ:)]

Janellie, from my understanding, auras are seizures. They are partial seizures and they can be a warning that a different type of seizure is coming. I'm sure if I'm wrong someone can set the record straight.

MAB is right,
An aura is the same as a simple partial seizure, often they are followed by a complex partial or a tonic clonic seizure.

I used to have a lot of simple partials/ auras, some times they were by themselves but most of the time they were followed by a complex partial.

Qtown has posted some great information about the different types of seizures in other threads but I cant remember which threads the info is in lol.

 

[lindsayschu2]

My doctor told me the other day that what I call auras are simple partials. After a lifetime of calling them auras I can't seem to kick the habit ;-) Thanks everyone, I've never had a series like that before, and had a whopping headache last eve and was wiped out, but never had a big one. In fact, I had a sound night sleep seemingly without seizures of any kind, and I'm grateful for that! I'm on way more meds than ever before and still having these problems and I'm just scared. I'm a single mom trying to maintain a super intense corporate job and wondering where this will all lead, but I know we are all in the same boat, and there's nothing to do but go one day at a time. Hoping the best healing and happiness for us all. ~Lindsay

 

[Nakamova]

Basically, when you're talking epilepsy, all auras are simple partials, but not all simple partials are auras. Auras are a subset of simple partials that precede or warn of a more involved seizure such as a complex partial or a tonic-clonic.

It is confusing since with migraine the term "aura" is used a little differently.

Here's a link to the helpful thread that CQ mentioned:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/invaluable-article-simple-partials-auras-13324/