simple partial seizures??? - Epilepsy Message Board

YogaMom · 10-11-2002, 07:09 PM

Hello!

I hope someone can help me with this. I have been having these "episodes" for years which seem to resemble the descriptions I have read for simple partial seizures. Only recently did I find out that they aren't normal. I have been to an epileptologist (sp?) at the Cleveland Clinic and have had two EEGs; both have been normal but they were both brief and I don't normally have these when I am lying still. They occur when I am up and around.

Here's what happens: I get this funky intense feeling in my head and belly which I always know will lead to something. Sometimes the rest follows; sometimes not. Then the feeling intensifies further and my vision usually blurs and I stare. It's not that I can't move around but I just don't desire to while it is going on. Sometimes it feels like my muscles relax and often my hands relax the most. But I am aware during the whole thing and can speak during them but I am too distracted to have a conversation. Then it passes and I go on with my day. Sometimes afterward I am a bit disoriented but it clears quickly.

The doctor has suggested that they might be originating in the temporal lobe. I have an MRI scheduled for November. In the meantime I am not allowed to drive which has thrown a huge wrench into my existence!

If anyone else has this or something similar, I'd be grateful to hear from you. Please feel free to email me directly, but only if you can help.

Thanks so much!

YogaMom

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couldbeworsaspose · 10-12-2002, 01:27 PM

hi yogamom,
I have temporal lobe epilepsy,the eeg showed activity in the left lobe,but the neuro said it's probably both.Anyway a typical episode for me generally starts with a feeling of dejavu,or a word or sound or due to lighting,I then feel sick and I go dizzy.I generally sit down or lay down,and hold my left arm because It hurts.The sick feeling is indescribable and I wouldn't wish It on anybody.I was put on tegretol but it made me ill,so now I take lamictal and It Is a god send.I couldn't have an mri because I have a piece of metal in one eye,but I had a cat scan,this showed nothing.
garry

YogaMom · 10-12-2002, 05:13 PM

Hi Garry,

Thanks for the response. Are you aware during the seizure? I am trying to figure out if what I am having are really seizures. Do you know any more about temporal lobe seizures? It seems like one person's seizure even in the same area of the brain can have completely different symptoms from someone else's. Have you ever heard of someone having blurry vision during one?

Thanks again...this sure is puzzling!

YogaMom

couldbeworsaspose · 10-13-2002, 03:23 AM

hi,
Yes sometimes I am aware of whats going on.I also get blurry vision,sometimes when out walking in town.When It happens it's as if I am not there but looking through someone elses eyes.Sounds daft I know,but I can carry on walking until It goes.It also seems to happen when I am concentrating on something with my eyes.I sometimes get a twitch in my eye,usually my right,and also my right corner of my mouth.They are called partial siezure because they affect only part of the brain.Temporal lobes are involved in the formation of memory,and the appreciation of smells and taste.Occipital lobe is involved with vision.Parietal lobe is involved with the appreciation of sensations.And Frontal lobe,among other things is involved with the control of movement.So I suppose,many of us could have times when different parts of the brain are involved..together or alone.My neuro said the eeg picked up my left temporal lobe,but my right is probably involved.They can't find anything physical,So he asked loads of questions,about when they started,what am I doing when they come,If anyone else in the family has epilepsy etc.Well my sister has grand-mals,so that sort of made his diagnosis easier.He said they don't diagnose epilepsy unless you have more than one siezure.Hope this helps.
garry

YogaMom · 10-13-2002, 12:42 PM

Thanks so much for your help. What you have said has been very helpful. I also can walk or continue moving during one but usually I only do if I am in a situation where someone is around. It's almost an irritation to try to concentrate on continuing what I am doing and it's much easier to just hang out until it passes. Your other symptoms sound much mmore annoying than mine. How did yours start? Mild and then get worse or have they always been the same? How old were you when you were diagnosed?

I used to only have these once in a blue moon and so I didn't even know they weren't normal. But this summer they increased in frequency and I have had some other weird things happen so I am having them checked out. Before when I thought it was normal to "space out" like that, they didn't bother me. Now that the doc has said no driving and they've increased, I'm more nervous about the whole thing. And my husband watches me like a hawk whenever he sees me just sitting. Makes me self-conscious even though I know he's just concerned.

How interesting that your sister has seizures also. My sister has said she has these weird times when she sees a strange blackness and her daughter has said the same. Maybe I'd better direct her to see a doctor.

Thanks again!!! I was grateful to find this board.

YogaMom