New to the group

[Almoney78]

So I never really thought of myself as having epileptic before but I am starting to wonder now. As a young woman I had weird seizure type activity at night...to describe a typical event it would start out as a loud noise and then a radiating pain down my left arm. I would call for help (or at least I thought I was) but no one could hear me. I would convulse and bite my tongue. When it was all over I assume I would pass out/go to sleep, in the morning all of my senses were enhanced. If I would drink something cold it would feel super cold, and I had this floaty feeling and would be very tired. Strangely enough these magically went away around the time I graduated college. However about 4-5 years ago I started experiencing what I have been referring to as "episodes" but doing some research seem more like focal or partial seizures...I have the aura which to me is a dej a vu type sensation, or I feel like I am seeing a rerun of something. Then my arm starts tingling, and eventually I just kinda snap out of it. I went to the doctor and they sent me of course to a neurologist. I had am EEG and an ambulatory EEG (wore it home for a weekend). It showed some left temporal lobe dysfunction but nothing more. I had an MRI with no strange findings. The doctor wanted to admit me for a week and monitor me 24/7 with an EEG but honestly I have been tested for so long with no findings that I didn't opt to do it because of the cost. Now I work in a hospital and we have a resident neurologist and I was talking to him and he said it defiantly sounds like some form epilepsy. He suggested a sleep deprived EEG, but again the cost seems to outweigh the problem to me. I have a 3 year old and money's tight so I just am not sure if I want to do it. I had several "episodes" at work last Friday and the nurses immediately took my blood pressure and it was 158/101 which is super high for me. They are so random, I never know exactly when they will happen...it could be months now before I have one again... WHAT SHOULD I DO!

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Almoney78, welcome to CWE!

If your episodes are increasing in frequency or duration, or changing qualitatively, that could be a reason to pursue diagnosis and treatment. Ideally, you don't want your brain to "get in the habit" of seizing -- each event makes the next one a bit more likely.

To get a sense of what's happening, it's a good idea to keep a seizure/symptom journal. A journal might also allow you to identify and avoid any triggers -- things like fatigue, stress, hormones, low blood sugar, etc. If you aren't interested in seeking treatment, the next best thing is to be proactive about your health and doing what you can to prevent the seizures/symptoms from occurring. There's helpful info here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

Best,
Nakamova

 

[MuayThaiFighter]

Welcome! This sounds like an epileptic event, and even if it is not it should still be ruled out. I fully relate to the money situation. Fighting that for the last 3 years, but I would try to get something set up. Having it fully stabilized is a godsend and it is very possible. 100 Percent agree with the seizure journal. That is a HUGE benefit for you and will help your doctor so much. Best of luck to you and I hope you get some answers soon.

 

[huskymom]

Welcome to the party! I hope that we see a lot of each other Fingers crossed that you get your answers soon

 

[jyearta]

I agree with Nakamova and muaythaiFighter.

I just to welcome you to CWE. The People here are great.

I hope you find the funds to seek the help you are needing.