So so confused!!!

[Sylvia]

Tuesday and Saturday of last week I spent in the ER. Had basically the same symptoms; paralyzed, can't talk, when I do talk it is jibberish.
I was given 3 doses of valium. It brought me out of it. I was taken to the Epilepsy clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. Which is supposed to be the best. I was hooked up to a 3 day EEG. First day without antiseizure meds.
there were no rooms in the epilepsy section so was put with an elderly lady who kept me awake all night and then had a family gathering all day the next day and I couldn't nap. I was supposed to push a button every time I had a seizure. first seizure, couldn't find the button. Second seizure waited till I really knew I was having one before pushing the button. Third one same as second. The doctors In the morning told me the EEG spikes didn't match up with my symptoms in timing. when I explained the problems I had they ignored them. The next night I was given Ambien and I slept through the night. Next day they asked me why I didn't push the button.
Now the out come to all this was they say I have epilepsy but the spikes on the eeg were not connected to the episodes. They say the symptons are "conversion episodes" (stress related)
How could I have a stress related episode in my sleep? Now they are telling me to come back in October and have a week long EEG without antiseizure meds. Why would I do that when I already know I have epilepsy? By the way, since conversion disorder is anxiety or stress related they want me to se a psychiatrist. I have no anxiety, I have not stress. Have a happy life. I don't understand any of this and I don't want to go back there. I am very confused.

 

[Nakamova]

How could I have a stress related episode in my sleep? Now they are telling me to come back in October and have a week long EEG without antiseizure meds. Why would I do that when I already know I have epilepsy?

Sounds like the Epilepsy department at the Hitch may or may not be the best, esp. if the doctors aren't listening to you or taking your concerns seriously. I agree that it seems like a waste of time to see a psychiatrist if you aren't suffering from any psychiatric issues, but sometimes it can be helpful to do it, just to have the psych back you up and punt you back to the epilepsy folks. Frustrating, I know.

The weeklong med-free EEG is another way the neuros can confirm (for themselves) that you have epilepsy. They should be able to diagnose the epilepsy based on your symptoms alone, but these days the unfortunate trend is to rely on tests instead, and to quickly decide that symptoms are psychogenic if the tests don't come up with something conclusive.

Good luck, I hope you get some resolution of this mess soon.