gel2005
05-01-2008, 10:19 AM
I am looking for answers for my brother who is now 26 years old. He has these "spells" where his eyes glass over and he go into rants. Mom says that he will do things that are off character for him. He will cuss, he will confess to things and he goes on and on about how he is a horrible person. Some are longer then others and he can usually feel them coming on. He hide them for a while. I think that they started when he was 19 or so. He just had to of these spells yesterday and these were the first ones he has had in 2 years. He has been to Drs and had MRIs and stuff done too. They are very scary and he isn't all there during them. He had one while driving once, but fortunately my BIL was there to get him to pull over so he could drive. I am told that you have to talk to him very calmly and it is very easy to upset him while he is in one of these spells. The one he had yesterday last two hours. He can remember things that happen, but not a lot of what he says or does. He has a wife and 2 young daughters and we are all looking for answers. These spells seem to be brought on by lack of sleep, caffeine and stress. We are all looking for answers and I was just wandering if anyone could shed any insight on any of this. My mom thinks that it could possibly be a side effect of drugs that he took when he was younger, my dad thinks it is a neurological problem. ANy insight that you can give is greatly appreciated!
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e847
05-01-2008, 11:19 PM
Have you looked at anxiety, ocd or the mania phase of bipolar? They say stress makes it worse. My dad is bipolar and has ocd and lived undiagnosed for a long time. He seemed to have a quick fuse in starting arguments and we had some dandies of blowups over stupid stuff, with him ranting on and on about us, colleges, jobs, the tv remote, how the world wasn't fair, etc. I wish we'd known more then about what he was dealing with rather than just writing things off as "that's weird" or lashing back.
I'm glad it sounds like you and your family is supportive of your brother. That must mean a lot to him. Sorry to hear he does that and everybody has to deal with it. What other stuff does he do?
Best of luck in your search, gel. I hope you find answers.
I'm glad it sounds like you and your family is supportive of your brother. That must mean a lot to him. Sorry to hear he does that and everybody has to deal with it. What other stuff does he do?
Best of luck in your search, gel. I hope you find answers.
gel2005
05-02-2008, 07:41 AM
The Spells seem to be the big thing. I don't live near him, so it is hard for me to observe myself. He was diagnosed as ADHD as a child and has dyslexia. He also has some OCD tendencies. He is a very skinny boy no matter how much he eats. He it 6 feet tall and weighs 145lbs. He is pretty laid back for the most part and really doesn't talk about his feelings to the family too much. He is always tired, but he works a lot and has some long hours and finds it hard to get a lot of sleep. He did have a Dr tell him once that it was a form of seizure that he has, but they don't know what causes it or how to stop it. I just don't know if I buy that.
e847
05-03-2008, 03:22 AM
Does the doctor think he has seizures in his sleep plus the daytime changes? I've not heard of seizures where people could rant and rave intelligibly during them. Or drive. Don't some states have driving restrictions regarding epilepsy? Might be good to check into that if he is for sure having them. Have you gone for second opinion?
Another thing comes to mind - but I'm wary of just throwing it about - is dissociation. I've lost time and doctor thought was seizures at first, but the tests nixed that for us, especially with the other stuff I was doing. Seems like people agree that dissociation happens moer often with extreme stress, trigger? Sleeplessness also could show similarly.
Another thing comes to mind - but I'm wary of just throwing it about - is dissociation. I've lost time and doctor thought was seizures at first, but the tests nixed that for us, especially with the other stuff I was doing. Seems like people agree that dissociation happens moer often with extreme stress, trigger? Sleeplessness also could show similarly.
gel2005
05-06-2008, 03:39 PM
No, the Dr was trying to say that these "spells" were seizers, but not epilepsy. I really don't think that is the case though, but I am no Dr. No they haven't gone for a second opinion, they have a hard time convincing him that he needs to be seen. I did find out a little more though. He told my sister that when he has one of these spells it is like a puzzle with missing pieces that he can't put together. He also is very depressed and sometimes suicidal during these spells. I have looked at disassociation and I have thrown that idea out there. I have also thought of psychosis. He also is next to impossible to wake up from sleep and he can fall to sleep anytime any place. He has fallen to sleep driving and standing up at a football game. Other then the sleep thing he has not other issues when he does not have one of these spells.
e847
05-06-2008, 09:04 PM
Well, at least you can cross some more things off the list then. Gotta be getting closer, right? ..but I thought seizures were outward signs of epilepsy. Electrical shorts, I suppose, in the brain. Perhaps I missed the boat somewhere. I'm not a neuro.
Maybe it's linked to his sleep tendencies. Narcolepsy? Is that the buzz word? I don't know if the sleep and the depression would tie in together, might. I'm confused about something: is he only depressed when in one of these spells, chipper and normal the rest of the time? Actively interested in life. Depression is lonely and a companion, not surprising he balks at going to see the doctor.
Maybe it's linked to his sleep tendencies. Narcolepsy? Is that the buzz word? I don't know if the sleep and the depression would tie in together, might. I'm confused about something: is he only depressed when in one of these spells, chipper and normal the rest of the time? Actively interested in life. Depression is lonely and a companion, not surprising he balks at going to see the doctor.
gel2005
05-06-2008, 09:41 PM
He suffers from the depression during one of these spells. He has even told his wife to hide his hunting guns. I suffer and am being treated from post partdum depression and I know is is a long hard road. Even though my son is 15 months old and i am being treated, I still struggle with it some days. His is only during one of these spells. He is actively involved in life, has hunting buddies and is friends with everyone. He does work a lot. He is open with his wife, but not so much with the rest of the family. We have thought about a form of Narcalepsy.
Alix76
05-07-2008, 06:56 PM
He sounds exactly like me. I have total blackouts where I act like I'm a different person (others have said I act drunk) and have no memory of the nonsense I have done and said.
Dr has recently put me on Prozac (yet again - 3rd time now) and it seems to be helping. Next step is therapy. Maybe he could try going down the same route.
Sorry if I've missed anything about his case. I'm finding it very hard to take in anything I read just now.
Keep us posted on how he gets on. I really hope he finds the help he needs.
xxx
Dr has recently put me on Prozac (yet again - 3rd time now) and it seems to be helping. Next step is therapy. Maybe he could try going down the same route.
Sorry if I've missed anything about his case. I'm finding it very hard to take in anything I read just now.
Keep us posted on how he gets on. I really hope he finds the help he needs.
xxx
Alix76
05-07-2008, 06:58 PM
Forgot to say, I have the sleep thing too. Can fall asleep anywhere and at any time, these are often just after I blackout.
It's horrible and very scary, hope he can get help for this.
xxx
It's horrible and very scary, hope he can get help for this.
xxx
Jennita
06-10-2008, 03:27 PM
You kind of answered the question yourself when you said these spells seem to be brought on by lack of sleep, caffeine and stress. Clearly he is not taking care of himself. The human mind and body were not made for the abuse we tend to put on ourselves these days. He needs to eliminate as much stress as he can, whether it be yoga, changing jobs, locations, etc. He needs to devote time for proper sleep and cut way back on the caffeine (a little is ok)
I don't know if he smokes but that effects sleep as well so time to quit if he does.
Your mom might be on to something about past drugs. Even legal psychoactive drugs can have lingering effects on brain chemistry long after the drug is stopped. But the brain has a built in instinct for balance, and it can heal from effects of drugs over time...but the catch is a person must become a bit of a health nut to give the brain the fuel it needs to recover. Alot of people don't do that; they continue some form of unhealthly lifestyle with caffeine or alcohol, lack sleep and exercise, poor diet, no stress control, etc. which makes it difficult.
Fish oil is wonderful for the brain, heart and nervous system. Exercise helps regulate sleep and feel good brain chemicals. Maybe if he tries to take better care of himself, he'll feel better after awhile.
I don't know if he smokes but that effects sleep as well so time to quit if he does.
Your mom might be on to something about past drugs. Even legal psychoactive drugs can have lingering effects on brain chemistry long after the drug is stopped. But the brain has a built in instinct for balance, and it can heal from effects of drugs over time...but the catch is a person must become a bit of a health nut to give the brain the fuel it needs to recover. Alot of people don't do that; they continue some form of unhealthly lifestyle with caffeine or alcohol, lack sleep and exercise, poor diet, no stress control, etc. which makes it difficult.
Fish oil is wonderful for the brain, heart and nervous system. Exercise helps regulate sleep and feel good brain chemicals. Maybe if he tries to take better care of himself, he'll feel better after awhile.