To make a long story short, I am a 33 year old female. Over the past 5 years or so, I have experienced what I always called "dizzy spells" because that's how they felt to me. They only happened occasionally (maybe once a month at most), and I really didn't think much of it. I have migraines so I thought maybe they were related to that. But recently, they've picked up a bit (more than once a month) and it happened last time when I was driving. I had to pull over. I can tell when one is coming on because my brain feels "fuzzy". Then I simply cannot focus - everything is moving all over the place. If I'm watching tv, I cannot see the tv because everything is moving. It lasts about 30 seconds and it's done. But then I feel strange for sometimes the rest of the day. My brain feels "fuzzy", that's really the only way to describe it.

Well, while visiting the neurologist for my migraines last week, she decided that she wanted to investigate my "spells". So I had an MRI and an EEG. The MRI was fine, but the EEG showed "seizure activity". I asked her what this meant and she said that each side of my brain reacted (I suppose during the part where they flash the lights in your eyes) just as a seizure patient's would. I was so shocked, I never would have imagined that I was having seizures. I told her that and she said that small seizures feel exactly like I'm describing. She said that there is no way to determine if they will stay small or if they will turn into more. And of course I don't want to have a bigger seizure while I'm driving (I have 2 children also).

She wants me to go on Topamax right away because it will probably help me with my headaches as well as the seizures.

I have so many questions, but I'll just start with a few.

1. What the heck kind of seizures does it sound like I'm having and does anyone else have them like this? (I don't have any kind of jerking - just that weird sensation in my head).

2. Can it just come on in your late 20's-30's like this or is it more normal to have them your whole life?

3. Is it possible that they can stay small like they are?

I really don't want to go on Topamax because of the side effects (I am one of those people who seem to suffer from every drug's side effects). She said we would start small and work our way up to 100 mg twice a day and see if that stops them.

I am really in a state of shock - I still can't believe it. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Jane

Hi Jane,


You've brought back a lot of memories. I know that fuzzy feeling. Things just...kind of go away. I know that's not very scientific. And just try to explain it to someone. I had those odd feelings and sensations for years.

1. Your seizure sounds like a petit mal or an absence seizure. They are controllable.

2. Epilepsy is odd. People get epilepsy at all ages. There's no "normal" in patterns of epilepsy. I had my first grand mal at the age of 21. There was no preceeding trauma to point a finger at, no obvious explanation for the seizure. I've read messages on these boards of initial seizures at 30 and 40.

3. I'm not a doctor, but from what I've read, yes, they can stay small and controllable.

I take Dilantin, have never experienced Topomax, but plenty of people on this message board have. I identify with you shock. I couldn't believe I had epilepsy. I fought the idea, didn't take my medicine, had more seizures.

Hang in there, good luck, you aren't alone.

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, it's very hard to describe the "fuzzy" feeling to someone. They really do feel like dizzy spells when they happen. It's just like I can't focus on anything at all for about 30 seconds. Sometimes afterwards, the fuzzy feeling lasts all day. It's so weird. I just can't believe I'm having seizures. I think part of me is in denial.

I am still trying to decide about the Topamax. I don't want to take anything, but I am afraid they will get worse. I was told that a "path" is created in our brains when we have seizures and the more we have, the bigger the "path" becomes and they can get much worse. Do you know if that is true?

Jane

Hi there...I have petit mals (those spells) and have grand mals as well (although I've been free for 5 years!!!!). Mine are less like fuzziness but they are more like blanking out completely...losing your train of thought. Mine only last a few seconds and yours last a long time.

I don't know about that path thing, never heard it described that way. I would say you really should take something especially because if they are lasting for 30 seconds and you are driving...well that is really dangerous. You can always switch to another med if the Topomax does not work. I had petit mals for a few years before being diagnosed when I was 16. I was diagnosed after I had a grand mal seizure. If I had already caught the petit mals and let them go (I didn't know they were petit mals) then I would have been on meds for it and may not have ever had a grand mal. Good luck. :)

Hi Jane,

Reading your words is like reading my history. Unfortunately, I didn't find out that the dizzy spells were seizures until I had a big one 3 months ago and ended up in hospital. I am now 31, and have experienced dizzy spells for about 3 years, so yes, it can definitely come on in your 20s or 30s, although they may not be able to tell why. As to whether they will just stay small - maybe, but mine didn't. If they are recommending medication I would think seriously about taking their advice. If the medication can stop your seizures and prevent you from having a big one (they are not that pleasant either for yourself or those around that have to deal with them) then I think you should perhaps give it a go. My road for the past three months has not been that easy but things are getting better now. I am now trialling my third type of medication (the first two I was allergic to) and I am feeling pretty good.

Good luck to you Jane, everyone here understands where you are at.

Tanya

Hi Jane,


I don't want to take anything, but I am afraid they will get worse. I was told that a "path" is created in our brains when we have seizures and the more we have, the bigger the "path" becomes and they can get much worse. Do you know if that is true?


I'd never heard of the path analogy before, but it's a good one, and true in my case. I had the fuzzies for many years. As a kid they felt like little bubbles of carbonated water shivering up my spinal cord and popping in my brain. As I got older I'd get that sensation with maybe a twitch or a muscle spasm.

I never thought to mention it to a doctor, even though every year the symptoms became a bit more pronounced.

My sophmore year in college the sensations became very obvious, but I was smoking pot with my friends and thought it was the drug. The summer between sophmore and junior year I was playing chess and had my first grand mal.

So the path was there, and getting worse as I got older. I suspect the pot
probably aggravated it and sped up the process to my first seizure.

There are a number of drugs out there to control seizures. Don't be bashful about complaining about side-effects to your MD. Come here and yell all you want. Like Tanya says, everyone here understands where you are at.

Good luck, Bill

I have been having what is being described as dizzy spells. And I get the strange fuzzy sensation. I also have migraines. I recently went to my doctor for this, and she set me up with a neurologist who I will see this thursday. Is the EEG test the only way to test for seizure activity?

Is the EEG test the only way to test for seizure activity?

It's one of the quicker diagnostic tools MDs use. The web site for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has a good section on epilepsy and how epilepsy is diagnosed.

Good luck. Bill

Sapnared - it sounds like you and I have very similar seizures (if yours are indeed seizures). I have been having "dizzy spells" for about 5 years, but mine have gotten more frequent lately, which is why I had an MRI and EEG. I also have migraines, which is why I was visiting the neurologist in the first place. And ironically, Topamax was a drug we discussed trying for preventing my migraines (Topamax prevents seizures as well).

I just got my diagnosis last week and it was really a shock to me. I am just now beginning to realize that thsoe "dizzy spells" are actually seizures and I need to do something about it before they get bigger.

Please let us know how your EEG turns out.

Best of luck to you,
Jane

I just got my diagnosis last week and it was really a shock to me.

It's a terrible shock! I remember how angry I was when my doc told me epilepsy. I was 21, thought he was full of it, took my meds when I felt like it, and kept having grand mals till I threw in the towel and followed my neurologists advice.

I haven't had a seizure for many years, drive with no problem and work in a high pressure environment. But I learned to pay very close attention to my mind and body's little clues.

You'll do okay, you really will. Give yourself some time. Good luck.

Bill

hi spongebob mom! :)

Actually yes our situations are very similar. I have had migraines for about 7 years (I'm 25) and these dizzy spells for about 5. I also went to the doctor for migraines originally, but mentiones the fact that these episodes have been happening to me frequently in the past few weeks, including once while I was driving which kinda freaked me out. My episodes actually only last a few seconds though, so I was able to continue driving. But I actually hate the fuzzy weird feeling more than the dizziness. It's really uncomfortable psychologically. :eek:

Yes I'll definetely post any results. :wave:

I know just what you mean about the fuzzy/funny feeling. That really bothers me too because it lasts sometimes for hours afterwards. I don't know what your "dizzy" spells are like, but I'll describe mine for you and you can see if yours are similar:

I first get that fuzzy/foggy feeling in the middle of my head for about 3 seconds before it hits, then suddenly I can't focus on anything. If I'm watching tv, I literally cannot see the tv because it's moving in a blur (along with everything else I look at). It might actually not last about 30 seconds. I've never timed it - I'm just guessing. Then I can see again, but that foggy thick-headed feeling lasts and lasts. My dr. said that with actual "dizzy spells", usually it feels like you're sitting still and everything else is spinning around you. Mine aren't like that. Also with dizzy spells, they can usually be brought on by standing up too quickly or physical activity. I didn't have that either. Mine usually happen for no reason at all, except I have found that they happen mostly at night when I'm tired and watching tv. (I assume the seizures are brought on by fatigue and the stimulation from the lights on the tv). Oh, and with dizzy spells, usually your head doesn't feel "foggy" afterwards for so long, like mine do. These were all red flags for my neurologist to test me for seizures. I am starting Topamax tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

Good luck to you and keep me updated.

Jane

Hi Jane!
My MRI came back normal. I have an EEG scheduled this week. My neurologist said that he was 99% certain that the EEG would come back abnormal. He said that I am having seizures, but they are because of my migraines and that it is not uncommon for migraine sufferers to have some seizure activity in their lives. He said it was up to me whether or not I take the anti-epileptic ( I don't know which one he would have put me on), but advised that I not take them because of the side effects. How often do you get your seizures? I get them about once a week, sometimes twice.
I don't know, maybe there's a difference between migraine seizures and epileptic seizures.
Hope all is well.