I had a trauma at the age of 17, which segued into recurring major depression. It was a confusing event, because I was experimenting with cannabis for the 1st time. Following this trauma, I also began having opthalmic migraines, panic attacks or spells of some sort, and popping/clicking in my ears. Also a fluttering sensation in my ears which is activated by intense light, certain sounds, and jaw position.
I did not receive a diagnosis or treatment at that time.
I did seek psychiatric treatment some 20 years later, for depression and anxiety attacks. I was treated with NAVANE (an antipsychotic), with disasterous results. I was switched to imipramine, with equally drastic results.
Finally, the new (in 1992?) SSRI Paxil helped with my symptoms.
Finally, some 40 years after my initial trauma, (I am now 57) I believe I have solved the riddle of the trauma. My 1st cannabis intoxication began with a strange movement of my stomache, followed by a slight tearing and burning sensation in my abdomen.
A smokey flushing feeling rose through my chest, neck and head. The left side of my head became numb and tingly. My vision and consciousness became impaired. Within 3 minutes, I felt a tensing and releasing in the left rear of my head that sent a shock through my mind. My vision convulsed and tunnelled. This repeated on intervals of 3 or 4 seconds for about 2 minutes.
Afterwards, my vestibular system was a wreck. I had insomnia for 2 weeks. I had distortions in hearing, and experienced visceral psychiatric symptoms for the 1st time in my life.
I have no doubt that my trauma at 17 was a temporal lobe seizure which generalized to involve my visual pathway during the epileptic discharges.
I self referred to a university epilepsy center. I had an EEG which showed significant temporal lobe wave slowing. I had an MRI which showed areas of white matter lesions. I assume the temporal slowing is PDA (polymorphic delta activity) which is most always associated with white matter lesions.
I am to have a follow-up 48 hour ambulatory EEG in the coming weeks. I assume this is to determine if my temporal slowing is epileptic in origin.
I did research Navane and imipramine to see if I could explain my past experience on these medications. They are the drugs in their class which most significantly lower the seizure threshold. The possibility exists that I have been epileptic for my entire life, without ever having been diagnosed.
The attitude of my psychiatric care provider has not changed.
To them - "what difference does it make?" Maybe I should be treated by a neurologist as well.
Does anyone know anything about PDA, and how it might be treated?
:soap:
I did not receive a diagnosis or treatment at that time.
I did seek psychiatric treatment some 20 years later, for depression and anxiety attacks. I was treated with NAVANE (an antipsychotic), with disasterous results. I was switched to imipramine, with equally drastic results.
Finally, the new (in 1992?) SSRI Paxil helped with my symptoms.
Finally, some 40 years after my initial trauma, (I am now 57) I believe I have solved the riddle of the trauma. My 1st cannabis intoxication began with a strange movement of my stomache, followed by a slight tearing and burning sensation in my abdomen.
A smokey flushing feeling rose through my chest, neck and head. The left side of my head became numb and tingly. My vision and consciousness became impaired. Within 3 minutes, I felt a tensing and releasing in the left rear of my head that sent a shock through my mind. My vision convulsed and tunnelled. This repeated on intervals of 3 or 4 seconds for about 2 minutes.
Afterwards, my vestibular system was a wreck. I had insomnia for 2 weeks. I had distortions in hearing, and experienced visceral psychiatric symptoms for the 1st time in my life.
I have no doubt that my trauma at 17 was a temporal lobe seizure which generalized to involve my visual pathway during the epileptic discharges.
I self referred to a university epilepsy center. I had an EEG which showed significant temporal lobe wave slowing. I had an MRI which showed areas of white matter lesions. I assume the temporal slowing is PDA (polymorphic delta activity) which is most always associated with white matter lesions.
I am to have a follow-up 48 hour ambulatory EEG in the coming weeks. I assume this is to determine if my temporal slowing is epileptic in origin.
I did research Navane and imipramine to see if I could explain my past experience on these medications. They are the drugs in their class which most significantly lower the seizure threshold. The possibility exists that I have been epileptic for my entire life, without ever having been diagnosed.
The attitude of my psychiatric care provider has not changed.
To them - "what difference does it make?" Maybe I should be treated by a neurologist as well.
Does anyone know anything about PDA, and how it might be treated?
:soap:
