History of Abnormal EEG and Feeling Spaced Out Now - Epilepsy Message Board

scout316 · 08-22-2009, 11:40 PM

My story is complicated,but I'll try to make it simple & short.

At age 19 I fell and hit my head...I would get dizzy and feel like I was in an elevator that was falling fast.My EEG showed my brain waves were going too fast...so the dr. put me on dilantin for 3 months and it corrected the problem...but I still to this day have the buzzing sound in my head,but not as bad as it was.

Several years later I had to go on klonopin for a few months due to stress and health issues.

A couple years after that I started having episodes where I would get an aura(looked like a misty fog)then I would see flashing streams of light for about a half hour.

I went to a neuro,had an EEG and it showed bi-temporal slowing more so on the left.It was so weird,because certain things would set it off...like if there were lines on the tv or some lights would set it off too and even some music.The neuro suggested tegretol,but I went for a second opinion and that neuro said that a migraine diet would help me.Well it did help,but I still was getting the episodes,but not as much.

My second EEG was abnormal also.It showed the persence of paroxysmal appearing transients of predominantly left temporal origin.During the waking state several left frontal temporal theta range transients seen with sometime associated sharp forms and sharp wave-like discharges also reflected in anterior temporal leads....

So I was given no meds...I just did my best to get through all of that.It lasted for 3 years....then I was fine....it just went away.I was good for another 3 years and then it came back,but not as bad and as often.Then T would have an episode off and on for the next few years.

I haven't had a spell for almost 2 years now.I had an EEG in Nov.'06 and it was normal,but I had a spell in Nov.'07.

Sorry for the not so short thread...I just wanted to give some of my history here....so I can lead up to what's going on now.

I have to also comment that I get B12 shots monthly,because I have an occult B12 deficiency(which means I have low-normal B12 with high MMA).

So my neuro dx me in early 2007 with "sensory disturbance"...it's likewhen there's noisy traffic and it quiets down it makes me feel confused or when music stops playing.

A few weeks ago I was just walking downthe stairs in my house and suddenly I felt so funny in my head...like the whole room was closing in on me,but then after a few minutes I was fine...I didn'tpanic or anything...it was just a weird incident.Then about a week & a half ago I woke up one day and felt really spaced out;like I lost part of my memory.I will be okay and then I feel like I lost time.This is really freaking me out.I went to my regular dr. and he was really concerned.They did a mess of blood labs,but all looks okay.

I get an overwhelming weakness through my whole body and it feels like I'm gong to have a convulsion and then I feel so spaced-out.

I have to find a new neuro,because I moved and he's too far away now.I'm feeling a little frightened now,because I just can't seem to figure out how I got this way....again.

What I am wondering is if anyone can relate to the spaced-out feeling I'm having off and on.

I know I need to have a current EEG test...and I hope it will show something,because I just don't feel right.Also the whites of my eyes are very blue....which the dr. said is usually fro a brain or heart problem.

I am feeling really so down.....not nervous at all,but just really low.

thanx much~Scout

92261 · 08-24-2009, 06:45 PM

Your case seems very complicated. Have you ever had an MRI? That would show the doctors even more about what's going on in your head. How old are you? Some of this almost sounds like vertigo. You've been on some strong meds. Try to get a neuro-endocrinologist if you can. Some of this is because of a head injury but you never know if you might have some other issues within your bodies endocrine system. It's hard to comment on your case. Maybe someone else out there can relate.

scout316 · 08-25-2009, 01:19 PM

thank you 92261

I had an MRI in Dec.'06.....it showd a slight tonsillar ectopia in the cerebellum(not consistent with a Chiari I Malformation).University neuros said my sx then were from low B12.

I am 2yrs.post-menopausal now.So I strongly think my sx stem from hormone fluctuations.I thought I was clear of all my sx....so much for that~

I feel better today....hardly any brain fog,but I'm still going to see my dr. this thursday.

thanx again~Scout

92261 · 08-25-2009, 06:33 PM

Scout316: Now that you say you're postmenopausal the hormone issue is probably a big contributor here. The endocrinologist can check your hormones and possibly get you some HRT/progesterone to help calm you down. It's amazing how important they are to brain function. They can definitely cause problems with memory and seizure issues. I take a B12 stress formula and magnesium which helps some. I have said this on other posts, which you can read if you can find them, I would also ask the doctor to have your neurotransmitters tested and toxic/non-toxic elements (like lead, magnesium, selenium, etc.) tested. The toxic element test is a hair analysis where you get your hair cut and send it off to be analized. I found out from the neurotransmitter test that I was low in Taurine and some other things that tie in with the way the brain works. I also found out that I was Estrogen Dominant because I'm having non-ovulatory cycles and not making the progesterone to calm me down. This is the catamenial epilepsy. I'm not a doctor and I knew it had something to do with my cycle. Now they believe me. I'm in the process of getting the ovaries shut down all together to reduce the estrogen in the brain to see if it will stop the seizures. Meds don't do anything for me except cost me money. I was given a RX for Klonopin but found out it was highly addictive so I never filled it. I'm bothered by fluorescent lights, MSG, loud noises, smells, EMF's, talking on the phone too much, and the moon cycles to name a few. I can't drive now because I had a seizure while driving and crashed my car and my license is suspended until I'm 6 mo. seizure free. I'm stuck in a place where there's no public transportation either. I was told back in 2006 that I have a scar on the right side of my brain and that could be contributing to the seizures. Who knows where it came from. I could have had it from birth. I can't recall any major incidents in my life that could have caused it.
One other thing that you might consider is whether or not you might be having some hypoglycemia symptoms. Menopause can cause this too. Have you ever had your sugars checked? This Keppra medicine that I take has the same side-effects as low blood sugar! Go figure. I guess this is why they call it the "Change of Life"! I'm told that this will all go away for me once menopause is over. It could be 10-15 years for me! Yikes! Stay in touch and let me know how things go with your new doctor.

scout316 · 08-28-2009, 08:32 AM

hi 92261

I can really relate to everything you said.I've known all along my cycle was the culprit.

Well I saw my dr. yesterday and he agrees that I need to see an endocrinologist and also I need to get a current EEG....so much fun...I can hardly wait!!!!

I went on a migraine diet that my old neuro gave me in 1999...of course MSG,peanut butter,yeast,lunch meats(nitrates),hot dogs,whole milk....all are no-nos...it helped me some and after trial and error I knewwhich ones caused the simple sensory seizures.Then of course there's all the other food that seems to aggravate hot flashes....it's soooo frustrating...I love food,but I do miss all the stuff I can't have.

Have a ton of things to do so I'll post back this evening...thank you so very much for helping me.....I am here for you too!

Scout