i was diagnosed with epilepsy in june of 2004. it was coincidental. i was on my way to the waterpark with my husband and daughter, when i passed out in the car and my husband said my face "twitched". i've never had a convulsive seizure. i had 2 EEG's since then. both were VERY positive. i've had an ambulatory EEG. i never had to press the "episode" button one time, during the entire weekend. i was just positive the test would be negative. the results of the test showed constant seizure activity. the only things i notice, are "lights".
when i wake up, first thing in the morning and turn on the lights, all the lights have trails. as if i were tripping on acid. (i've never tripped on acid, but i've watched plenty of movies) at night time, if i'm really tired, or stressed, the same thing happens. all the lights trail. these are the results that showed on my EEG. especially the ambulatory EEG. that sort of activity. (according to my physician) i don't know the technical terms for any of this.
what i'm now realizing, is what i've always thought to be normal, may not be. when i lay down at night and close my eyes. it's hard for me to sleep. when my eyes are close, i see strobe lights, as if someone has one, directly in front of my face. but i thought this was normal. i can remember seeing this, as long as i can remember. (not always, of course) and now, they tell me this is a type of seizure.
this is the only type of seizures i have. i am on topamax 200 mg daily. it's helped my headaches and migraines, but i still see the lights in the morning and night. will this ever go away? and i never hear of anyone else having this simple and mild form of epilepsy. i feel lucky, but also i feel misdiagnosed. any information would be appreciated.

Some people experience their seizures as seeing something or even hearing something depending on the specific area of the brain involved and what that area does. It is usually the same thing each time. I never experienced what you describe. What diagnosis did your doc give you? It will be specific to the seizures you have and area of involvement. Did you have an MRI? You mentioned the EEGs, but no MRI. With the visual things happening seems as though your doc would have wanted one to make sure there is no other possible cause. Visual disturbances are common with migraines like you mentioned you have. Do you feel comfortable that the visual events you describe is not associated with migraine in any way? Is the doc treating seizures the same one you see for migraines? I had a headache doc try and treat my epilepsy once. NOT a good idea for me at all. I needed the Specialist. The Epileptologist. I have not heard of your description of seizures before now. How is your consciousness during these events? Have you lost consciousness at all or have periods when you do not rmemember what happened? Phoebe