hcrum87hc
12-12-2008, 01:41 PM
Since I've moved back into school this year, I've had these weird episodes. I'll be going about my daily life when I'll think of something or see something and it triggers a deja vu type episode where it feels like I'm recalling a dream or something I've done in the past, but I can't put my finger on what I'm attempting to recall. As this happens, I'll feel a tingle run up the back of my neck to the base of my skull. Sometimes my whole head will tingle. I do not pass out or twitch, but after it happens, I feel very weird inside. I have trouble with my memory for a while and I'm just kind of in a daze for about 30 minutes. After the bad episodes, I get memories that don't feel like they are mine and everything around me seems kind of foreign even though I'm usually in my apartment. It tends to happen more often than not after I work out, but it has happened without previously working out. Sometimes I'll get a headache afterward, but not always. I have an appointment with my doctor next week to hopefully get this figured out. After doing some research it seems like these may be simple partial seizures, but I'm not sure. I went to a website that gives some few symptoms of simple partial seizures. Below are a few of the symptoms listed on that page that I recall having:
* Feelings of fear, panic, sadness or happiness, or feeling detached from what's going on around you. This can be frightening and difficult to explain to others
* Vivid memory 'flashbacks'
* And intense feeling of 'deja vu', when you are convinced you have experienced something before - even when you haven't
* Feelings of 'jamais vu' when you are unable to recognize things that are very familiar to you
* Feelings of fear, panic, sadness or happiness, or feeling detached from what's going on around you. This can be frightening and difficult to explain to others
* Vivid memory 'flashbacks'
* And intense feeling of 'deja vu', when you are convinced you have experienced something before - even when you haven't
* Feelings of 'jamais vu' when you are unable to recognize things that are very familiar to you
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Travis from MN
12-12-2008, 07:38 PM
How much stress is school putting on you? That MIGHT be a contributing factor (might not) to this situation.
Your post said "since [you] moved back into school...". That was what caught my eye as a starting point. Did these occur before at ANY TIME? Or other symptoms that may be perceived as neurological ailments?
It sounds like you are keeping a log of when they occur and the symptoms you experience. That is the first step in helping to diagnose what a person has. The more you can provide in first hand information the more informed the doctor is.
If your diet has changed (different foods?) thats something to look at as well in potential effects if this all started recently.
Going back to your log, statements from classmates and friends that have seen these potential "episodes" may help. Not knowing the severity of your case, they may be able to give a statement of what they saw, what you looked like, how you behaved, if anything looked abnormal, time lapsed, time until you were back to full functioning.
Best of luck in figuring out your case,
--Travis
Your post said "since [you] moved back into school...". That was what caught my eye as a starting point. Did these occur before at ANY TIME? Or other symptoms that may be perceived as neurological ailments?
It sounds like you are keeping a log of when they occur and the symptoms you experience. That is the first step in helping to diagnose what a person has. The more you can provide in first hand information the more informed the doctor is.
If your diet has changed (different foods?) thats something to look at as well in potential effects if this all started recently.
Going back to your log, statements from classmates and friends that have seen these potential "episodes" may help. Not knowing the severity of your case, they may be able to give a statement of what they saw, what you looked like, how you behaved, if anything looked abnormal, time lapsed, time until you were back to full functioning.
Best of luck in figuring out your case,
--Travis
hcrum87hc
12-12-2008, 10:53 PM
Thanks for the reply. I was also wondering about stress. Nothing like this has ever happened up until moving back into school. This week has by far been the worst time with these episodes. This is exam week and I've had 5 episodes this week, all worse than they've ever been. On the other hand, I'm just finishing up my first semester as a senior and I've never had these episodes in the past 3 years of college. I've only had about 7 since September up until this week, and they were no where near as bad.
Also, the first time it happened my blood sugar was low (my gf's diabetic so she was able to check it) but my blood sugar has been normal for the episodes since then. She and one of my roommates witnessed one of them this week and they both said I was acting kind of spacey. She said it took me 15 minutes just to fix a hot dog. That was right after the episode when I was feeling really weird.
Also, the first time it happened my blood sugar was low (my gf's diabetic so she was able to check it) but my blood sugar has been normal for the episodes since then. She and one of my roommates witnessed one of them this week and they both said I was acting kind of spacey. She said it took me 15 minutes just to fix a hot dog. That was right after the episode when I was feeling really weird.
CANEY GIRL
03-28-2009, 11:50 PM
Did you ever find out from the doctor what was going on?
kay Fiona
05-14-2009, 06:52 PM
They are what is called 'petit mal' weird aren't they. It is still considered a seizure I am afraid, mine started when I was 14. Two years later I had a fit and was put on medication straight away, that was a long time ago. I have had clear times but for me I worked out it is hormonal based. I expect you know this by now anyway. Don't let it get you down.
hcrum87hc
05-15-2009, 02:07 PM
I did eventually make it to a neurologist. He sent me for an EEG and an MRI. There was a very small spot of scar tissue on my brain that he said was there since I was born. He didn't suspect that would be causing the seizures, but based on my symptoms he prescribed me keppra xr. I've been taking it for about 1.5 months now and I haven't had a single episode/seizure since I started taking it. Everything's looking good as of now, so I don't have to go see him for another 6 months.
yorkieloveroo7
06-14-2009, 02:48 AM
This is so familiar to what I have been having and I mostly have the simple partials right before I start my period. I get this weird feeling in my stomache and it moves upward, it like takes my breath away and its hard to talk and then i smell a awful burning smell for about 3o seconds. Sometimes I'm tired afterwards or have a headache. I went to a neurologist a few years ago about it and i had a eeg and it showed nothing. He tried to put me on topomax but that was a nightmare drug that I felt if I kept taking that it would kill me so I don't take anything. I would rather live with the occasional simple partial then change how I feel on a daily basis. I have learned to live with them and I don't lose consciousness so I'm not a danger to myself or others. I do however have an appointment this friday with a new neurologist so I can make sure I don't have a tumor which I know is highly unlikely but I have read the smelling thing can be a sign of a tumor. For about six months I have been having memory problems and speech problems so I will feel better when the neuro says I'm fine.
92261
06-14-2009, 02:45 PM
Please see an endocrinologist. Since you're a female, and you've already figured out that this is happening before your period, this is called Catamenial Epilepsy. It happens before, during and mid-cycle. Sometimes meds don't work because it's hormonal. Neurologists aren't going to check your hormones. They are only going to prescribe AED's. Depending on your age you might consider having your ovaries removed. Your body is probably like mine and estrogen dominant. That means you're not producing progesterone - the calming hormone -. If you've been on the BCP at all then you've raised the level of estrogen in your body over the years. EEG's, MRI's, CT scans, are all good to rule out tumors, etc., but they won't uncover the hormonal issues. You can also have your neurotransmitters tested to see what state they're in. See if MSG triggers the seizures. Magnesium & Vit B6 are good to take to help the brain function. I tried Topomax and didn't like it either. My body doesn't like all these meds. I have too many sensitivites to them all. If you're over 30 yrsl old you could very well be in the perimenopause state. The seizures will progressively get worse the further you get towards total menopause. Investigate the estrogen dominance and go to the doctor with your information and don't let them try to change your mind. I had a feeling that my issues were hormonal and I should have listened to my instinct. I was put on meds right away and now I can't get off of them! Taking HRT would have been an easier route. Good luck
yorkieloveroo7
06-14-2009, 07:46 PM
Hi, that is interesting you say that about the catamerial epilepsy because I have actually researched it on the internet before althought there is not alot on it. I have been taking synthroid for like ten years for hypothyroidsm. I remember a few years ago mentioning it to the endocrinolgist and they said I probably just had anxiety. I actually do get anxious at times but I don't have panic attacks or anything. I had some hormones checked a few months ago, i know my FSH is normal. I am 44 years old and I know I am probably perimenopausal. I'm going on friday to the neurologist but I feel like it will be a waste. I had another smell thing happen today which is unusual because I'm on my 3rd day of my period and it usually happens in only the week before. I have a horrible headache ever since the episode this morning. I'm thinking it could ust be a aura before a migraine. I will have to see what my progresterone level it is. it is probably different at different times of the month. I'm getting the nova sure done this month, that is supposed to make periods lighter and less pms symptoms so I'm thinking that may alleviate the episodes.
yorkieloveroo7
06-19-2009, 08:56 PM
Hi, I had my neurologist appointment. He said he thinks I am having simple partial seizures and he is going to start with a MRI. I also talked my gyno into checking my progesterone level, although he said it was a waste to check since I was still cycling. He said I need to check it a week before my period. So I guess this is a start, I will post again when I get the results of my MRI and when I get my progesterone level.
92261
06-19-2009, 11:41 PM
There was a repeat show on the other day on The Doctors on TV and they had the endocrinologist and gyno on there and the endo made a comment about the difference between the two. The gyno doesn't care about your hormone levels. Deal with the endo on it. You need to have the blood drawn on days 4 and 22 to get the levels. It's stupid of them to think just because you're having a period that there's no use in getting the levels taken. If you are having seizures and problems then they should be being proactive and get the levels done. If possible, see if you can find a neuro-endocrinologist. They deal with both areas. Even my neuro doesn't want to deal with the hormone thing. You can have seizures starting at puberty! What's their excuse then? They are just ignorant. Even if the levels come back o.k. I'd still show them to an endocrinologist to be reviewed. And - you shouldn't just be focusing on the progesterone - it's the estrogen that's important here to make sure you're not estrogen dominant. My problems started at your age and it's taken me 4 yrs. to get somewhere. Don't wait.