Hi Everyone.
I am 28 and just over 10 years ago I had a one off seizure just before I turned 18.
I was walking along transfixed by a weird paving stone pattern on the ground that made my eyes go a bit weird, like whenever you try and concentrate on a black and white stripy pattern or something.
Anyway, after 5 minutes or so of that I apparently keeled over and had a seizure. It lasted a few minutes and then I fully recovered, although had a huge headache and was tired for quite some time after. Was a very weird experience.
Anyway went to see a neurologist shortly after and he reckoned I had had a photosensitive seizure caused by concentrating on the weird pattern. Although EEG was normal and had no sign of photosensitivity in the flash test. He didn't think I needed any meds but as I was quite freaked out by the idea of passing out whenever I saw a pattern in every day life he gave me epilim. I took it for about 3 yrs (although often missed doses) and as had no further attacks I stopped altogether and that was 7 years ago. Obviously it has now been 10 years since that episode and have had nothing further.
Neurologist reckons I don't have epilepsy but at the very worst might possibly be very mildy photosensitive.
I can live with this seeing as I have only had one attack in 28 years and now am aware of the small risk can just look away when patterns and stuff make my eyes go funny.
One question I forgot to ask the doc all those years ago was, does having one photosensitive seizure mean I am more likely than the general population to also have non-photosensitive seizures i.e. have 'normal' epilepsy? Or does the fact have only every had one episode 10 yrs ago and that it was likely caused by photosensitivity mean that there is no reason at all to suggest I will suddenly start having random non-photo seizures/develop another form of epilepsy?
I know there are no absolutes in epilepsy but just wondered if I should treat what happened as a one time occurence, as the doc thinks, or if I should always be concerned of random seizures not sparked by photosensitivity?
Thanks guys!
Shaun.
I am 28 and just over 10 years ago I had a one off seizure just before I turned 18.
I was walking along transfixed by a weird paving stone pattern on the ground that made my eyes go a bit weird, like whenever you try and concentrate on a black and white stripy pattern or something.
Anyway, after 5 minutes or so of that I apparently keeled over and had a seizure. It lasted a few minutes and then I fully recovered, although had a huge headache and was tired for quite some time after. Was a very weird experience.
Anyway went to see a neurologist shortly after and he reckoned I had had a photosensitive seizure caused by concentrating on the weird pattern. Although EEG was normal and had no sign of photosensitivity in the flash test. He didn't think I needed any meds but as I was quite freaked out by the idea of passing out whenever I saw a pattern in every day life he gave me epilim. I took it for about 3 yrs (although often missed doses) and as had no further attacks I stopped altogether and that was 7 years ago. Obviously it has now been 10 years since that episode and have had nothing further.
Neurologist reckons I don't have epilepsy but at the very worst might possibly be very mildy photosensitive.
I can live with this seeing as I have only had one attack in 28 years and now am aware of the small risk can just look away when patterns and stuff make my eyes go funny.
One question I forgot to ask the doc all those years ago was, does having one photosensitive seizure mean I am more likely than the general population to also have non-photosensitive seizures i.e. have 'normal' epilepsy? Or does the fact have only every had one episode 10 yrs ago and that it was likely caused by photosensitivity mean that there is no reason at all to suggest I will suddenly start having random non-photo seizures/develop another form of epilepsy?
I know there are no absolutes in epilepsy but just wondered if I should treat what happened as a one time occurence, as the doc thinks, or if I should always be concerned of random seizures not sparked by photosensitivity?
Thanks guys!
Shaun.
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