Did I have a seizure? - Epilepsy Message Board

ShockV1.89 · 02-17-2007, 08:39 AM

I'm really not sure if what I experienced was a seizure, and hopefully someone here can help me out.

I was cleaning up a mess my dog had made on the floor, and I stood up to put the soiled paper towels in the garbage can. When I reached the can, I got very light headed, sort of the way you feel when you stand up too quickly. I reached out and steadied myself against the wall, but rather than fading like it normally does I started shaking. I wasn't twitching, but my whole body was shaking back and forth and everything went dim. I couldn't control it at all! I had to struggle to keep my legs under me. After it passed, I felt really run down like I was sick, and I had to lie down for an hour.

I work with children with autism, so I've seen all sorts of different kinds of seizures, but I've never experienced one first hand. Does this sound like a seizure to anyone?

IMNRVUS · 02-17-2007, 05:21 PM

Could be, but it really sounds like hypoglycemia to me. I've had reactive hypoglycemia attacks many times. I get really sweaty, weak, and I can't control what my eyes are looking at... sort of like being really drunk... but without the alcohol.

Did you have enough to eat... or drink something with too much sugar? I get that way if I have a can of soda without food.

I also have had G M seizures, but mine are all while sleeping... and the symptoms are nothing like simple partial seizures.

Might be worth having a glucose tolerance test. Just diet can control this easily.

P.S. I'm from New York State too... near Syracuse.

ShockV1.89 · 02-17-2007, 07:39 PM

I had woken up perhaps an hour before the incident and hadn't eaten anything yet. I hadn't considered hypoglycemia. Doesn't that usually last for a longer stretch of time? The shaking and dim vision couldn't have lasted more than five seconds, and I felt fine before it happened. But I'll ask my doctor about a glucose test the next time I'm in (am due for a physical anyway).

My brother-in-law is from Syracuse. I live in Poughkeepsie, north of the city.

IMNRVUS · 02-17-2007, 07:57 PM

I usually don't feel it coming on. I feel weak, start sweating, and can't focus on anything for a few minutes... If I don't eat anything immediately, it lasts a few minutes. If I do, maybe a minute. Nutra-grain bars or cheese work really good to bring me out of it quickly. It may be different depending on if you have the regular kind or reactive hypoglycemia.