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kathykos

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Hi my name is Kathy ...I am 52 ...and have had 2 seizures in my lifetime...Twelve years ago, I felt weird and thought I was getting a migrane and got in my car and attempted to drive home...I woke up in an ambulance. I guess I drove right by my house and hit a tree. Luckily I wasn't going fast and kinda drifted across the road.
Anyway Saturday evening I went to Walmart to do some shopping. I felt a little weird when I was there and at one point I remember thinking I needed to find a chair to sit down on cause the "feeling" of having a seizure was there. I don't remember anything else except waking up in an ambulance and being stabbed with an IV. I have been researching a bit but I am totally confused as to why I have had only 2 seizures in my life. I am still waiting on an EEG but CTscan came out normal, as did bloodwork and xrays? So now I am afraid to go anywhere....scared that I will have another one.
I am beginning to think that my seizure was weather related since it was bitterly cold that night -31c ...and then the weather changed drastically overnight to -5c....I swear I have always been weather sensitive...I am a migrane sufferer and they seem to be worse when the weather changes suddenly and the barometric pressure changes...?? is that possible??
Either way I am freaked out by this....I am scared to go anywhere alone...It took all day yesterday to get my bearings....still felt mixed up?? and my lower back and hips have been really sore.....is this all normal for a seizure??
 
Hi and welcome kathy. It's not unusual for tests to come back normal and still have a problem. Happens to a lot of us. I suggest you keep a diary of everything, meals, sleep, etc., and odd feelings. That may suggest something going on which triggers it. For instance, some people are sensitive to the lights at W-M. I've also read that migranes can be a type of seizure too. Lots of information in here, read around, you might be surprised. I was shocked to learn I'd had a couple other types of seizures in the beginning that I'd never recognized. Good luck getting it sorted out.
 
Kathy,

First, Welcome!

As was said before, it's not unusual for tests to come out negative and still have epilepsy. But it could have been anything - a heart condition, lung condition, hormonal, etc. It all needs to be looked into.

I assume you are seeing a neurologist? If you aren't, find one. It's important.

About being afraid to go anywhere.... If what you had was a seizure (and that's a BIG IF) it would actually be illegal for you to drive, at this point. The important thing is to get what happened to you diagnosed. If it IS seizures, here's a link to look up the driving laws in your state:
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/transportation/drivinglaws.cfm

Everything is going to be okay. If these ARE seizures, you are catching them early. The earlier you catch them, the higher the chance they can be successfully treated. Odds are that there will be a very good outcome for you.

Hang in there. Will you let us know what the doctor says?
 
Yes, driving now is probably illegal. The hospital "should" have notified the DMV but if they didn't, you still shouldn't drive. I've been lucky because so far I haven't been reported to the DMV and in my state (California) you can't drive for three years after a seizure unless your doctors (I think it takes two doctors) override it and say it is safe for you to drive. Not likely these days. I still don't drive for quite a while after I've had a seizure and I always take back roads when I do drive.

I think one of the Kennedys had a couple of seizures. You might want to google it and see if you can find any info about it. John Travolta lost his son from a seizure but he had a history of many seizures. Good luck.

epilal (Dave)
 
Sorry to hear about your experiences.
I have only had one seizure and that was 17 years ago and was brought on by staring at a weird pattern. I still worry about having another even though it has been so long!
From what I have read and researched you would be unlucky to have had a second attack after so long out of the blue. So like Endless said your episodes could be a multitude of things other than seizures. What did the doctor say 12 years ago when you had that episode? Were there any witnesses who actually confirmed you had a seizure and not some other sort of blackout? Did you have an EEG and stuff last time?
Anyway, try not to worry until you have spoken with a doctor and neurologist if necessary. Listen to them rather than scour the internet for answers - I have found that while some forums such as this can be very helpful and comforting, much internet research can concentrate on the worst case scenario and just make you overly and unnecessarily concerned.
Speak with the doctors as they are the experts and let us know how it goes!
 
Hi Kathy

I've had E allllll my life, and had normal EEGs the entire time....until about 4 years ago. Harumph. LOL.

Anyway, yes, it's perfectly normal to be sore in any given number of places--I do all sorts of things to myself during a t/c. Including biting through both sides of my tongue. Yup, that's fun. :)

My seizures are purely nocturnal, but I don't drive for months after I've had one. I just take myself off the road, and wait anywhere between 6 months and a year before I do so again. The doc and I have agreed on that one.

I have migraines as well--several different kinds. Most are brought on by stress, but there are some that are brought on by weather/sinus issues. And for me, THOSE are the doozies. I beg people to saw my head off, or something equally stupid at the time, because it's just too painful to deal with.

Welcome to CWE, btw. I hope you find it to your liking here--it's a great big dinner party. Feel free to check out all the nooks and crannies here--and put up your feet and just RELAX. I'd bring you some coffee, but I keep burning it. Want some tea instead?

(Oh, and it was Ted Kennedy that had the seizures--prior to the malignant brain tumor being found.)

Take care!

Meetz
:rock:
 
I thought it was one of the younger Kennedys but I might be mistaken. Anyway, you should definitely see a doctor, preferably a neurologist. Even if you don't have insurance, you should see one. Like somebody said, too much Internet searching is not healthy and will eventually lead to nothing but fear. On the other hand, a neurologist will tell you what's wrong or what's not wrong. Yes, occassionally they make mistakes but not often. If you don't care for the first neurologist you see, by all means see another one. I saw three different ones before I found one I trusted and liked.

Good luck and keep everyone updated. It might help someone else......

epilal (Dave)
 
I'd blame Walmart.

I'm kidding from a political/socioeconomical bent, but in all seriousness, the lighting is so bad in most Walmarts, I can't shop for long. Most of us aren't light sensitive, but it's something to take into consideration.
 
I'm okay in Walmart. Ikea does it to me.

Just goes to show different frequencies/pulse speeds for different folks. The problem may get better over time as businesses go to the new florescent lighting that is yellow based lights like the old fashioned lights. They are inside a yellow bulb. Someday they'll have them for the tube lights. I have a much easier time with those.
 
kathykos said:
Hi my name is Kathy ...I am 52 ...and have had 2 seizures in my lifetime...Twelve years ago, I felt weird and thought I was getting a migrane and got in my car and attempted to drive home...I woke up in an ambulance. I guess I drove right by my house and hit a tree. Luckily I wasn't going fast and kinda drifted across the road.
Anyway Saturday evening I went to Walmart to do some shopping. I felt a little weird when I was there and at one point I remember thinking I needed to find a chair to sit down on cause the "feeling" of having a seizure was there. I don't remember anything else except waking up in an ambulance and being stabbed with an IV. I have been researching a bit but I am totally confused as to why I have had only 2 seizures in my life. I am still waiting on an EEG but CTscan came out normal, as did bloodwork and xrays? So now I am afraid to go anywhere....scared that I will have another one.
I am beginning to think that my seizure was weather related since it was bitterly cold that night -31c ...and then the weather changed drastically overnight to -5c....I swear I have always been weather sensitive...I am a migrane sufferer and they seem to be worse when the weather changes suddenly and the barometric pressure changes...?? is that possible??
Either way I am freaked out by this....I am scared to go anywhere alone...It took all day yesterday to get my bearings....still felt mixed up?? and my lower back and hips have been really sore.....is this all normal for a seizure??
Click to expand...
If you drive and have ANY symptoms, you should pull over and call a cab, or take a nap in your car or truck if you don't want to leave it by itself. Always take a blanket with you when it's cold! I would never leave my car running while taking a nap because it "might" be leaking carbon monoxide, which is a very poisonous gas. You may go to sleep and never wake up again! I think it would be best to find a parking spot, take out your valuables, and call a cab!

Just my two cents......
epilal (Dave)
*
 
Thank you so much everyone for all your comments and insight! I was happy to hear that I am not losing my mind. Anyway here is the update. I had a seizure 12 years ago when I was on Paxil. I went off of it right after my first seizure as that was a side effect of Paxil. I have not been on any anti depressants until a year ago when I had alot of things going on in my life. The doc put me on Celexa. I didn't think about it until I had this second seizure. I talked to the doc and he said that I am one of the few that can never be on any anti depressants because the 2 short times that I was on them....I had seizures..I am in the process of weaning off of them right now. I live in Ontario Canada and I am not sure if I will lose my license. I am praying that I do not, but I am also not going to risk lives by being selfish. I am still waiting for the specialist to call with my EEG appointment. Health care may be free here but it sometimes takes time to get in to see a specialist. I am having surgery on Wed on my right shoulder, so I will be laid up for a bit. Proabably having it at a good time, I won't be able to drive anyway....lol

But sincerely, thank you for all your comments and friendship...

kathy
 
hiya.

getting freaked out and scaird about everything is totaly normal. iv gone from haveing 8 - 9 a year to just 3 but every time i have one im totaly freaked out and scared to death comeing round with a paramedic..

last year i was married to the best wife in the world. before i had a chance to say my vows i had a sezier and prety much wrecked the day, thankfully i was determind to marry so looking like a zomby (the weding vidio is shocking) i made my vowes... then slept alot

not sure wot is harder your tree or my wedding... my point is to keep your head up, even with epilepcy life is whot you make of it
 
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