I think I've got epilepsy

[TrogL]

I'm going to the doctor tonight (probably).

I've been having this thing for awhile where I'm doing nothing in particular and I suddenly get some wierd sensations.

• feeling of impending doom
  
• wierd taste in my mouth (pencil eraser)
  
• "rush" sensation
  

Sort of like what's described here.

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_simplepartial.html

Stimulants (eg. dexedrine, coffee) seem to trigger them.

It's not the first time the issue of temporal lobe problems has come up. I had an EEG in the 70's but they didn't find anything at the time. I'm prone to migraines and auras. When I was a kid I fell skating (this is in the days before helmets) and was knocked out for a few minutes. The migraines started right after.

[DemExpat]

1. I hope not, Trogl.....

These symptoms you note:

*feeling of impending doom

*wierd taste in my mouth (pencil eraser)

*"rush" sensation


triggered by these stimulants:

Stimulants (eg. dexedrine, coffee) seem to trigger them.


sound very similar to some aspects of my panic attacks I used to have, also made much worse by stimulants.....mine I came to understand as ADRENALINE rushes......

Avoiding all stimulants helps situations like mine....

Good to have it checked out, for sure.
Hope it is NOT epilepsy!

Keep us posted, please.

:hug:

DemEx

[rasputin1952]

3. There are different forms of epilepsy, two of the best known are petit

mal and grand mal. Most of us are familiar with grand mal seizures, these are the full blown ones most people know of. Petit mal is a little more innocuous, but in both cases, you might feel something before one manifests itself, such as anaura, or perhaps the sensations you describe. However, this may not be the case in your situation. Many things can mimic what we think may be seizure activity. By far, the best thing you can do is get with a doctor you trust, and s/he should set up tests, including an EEG, complete blood work, a comprehensive physical, and most importantly, a good history.

If you get none or only some of these...find another MD....:)

ON EDIT: This should have been posted in answer to the OP, sorry...:(

[TrogL]

4. dingdingdingdingdingding

Went to the doctor and he thinks the same thing but he's sending me for an eeg and to a neurologist just in case (doubling up with Asperger's Syndrome issues).

[DemExpat]

5. Very good to get checked out!

Lay off the stimulents in the meantime if things get too uncomfortable!

Keep us posted....

:hug:

DemEx

[rasputin1952]

6. The EEG is very telling, there can be somethings that mimic epilepsy

after everytjing else is ruled out, treatment is generally w/meds and support. But it's always a good idea to wait until a definative dignosois is made.

as an aside, a few meds, and some OTC preps can also have an effect...make sure you take a list of meds, including OTC and the amt of caffeine you ingest per day. Not just coffee, but pop, chocolate, and a few other things have caffeine in them as well. Like I said before, the most important thing is the history you give, and a lot of things are often missed because something is not mentioned, like what meds and side effects they may have, especially when mixed w/other substances...:)

My best to you.

[Droopy]

2. I don't know if it's epilepsy, but

you do seem to be living with an illness that has not been diagnosed and that you are going untreated for based on this and your other posts in this forum. It's probably a good idea to see a doctor and a psychiastrist to help get it sorted out. Give us an update when you find out something.

[TrogL]

7. Apparently I don't

Went for an EEG today. They wired me up 14 ways from Sunday, made me open and close my eyes, hyperoxygenate and flashed strobe lights in my eyes. Then they bored me and I had a nap.

Nothin', absolutely nothin'.

So, we're back to thinking they're panic attacks brought on by stress and stimulants.

[DemExpat]

8. Good news, TrogL!

Now to eliminate the stimulants and reduce your stress!

:kick:

DemEx

[frankly_fedup2]

10. I just posted that right after you did. See my post below. . . .

Isn't that ECG wild. I mean your eyes are shut, but you still can see the lights flashing, the spirals, everything.

When I first started having your symptoms, I was admitted for testing. They did the ECG, the ink blot test (weird), complete physical exam, X-rays, CT scan, tried and MRI but had to get out, basically, they put me through everything to rule out anything physical.

It's strange what stress, inabilities to deal with reality but facing it everyday can do to your mind. (Well, more of a balance of brain chemicals like Seratonins, Ephedrines, and other ones).

I have thyroid problems as well. A lot of those symptoms can be caused by thyroid, or by blood sugar problems, just a myriad of illnesses produce the same symptoms. You pretty much have to diagnose yourself anymore. Your doctor just gives an educated guess as to what may be wrong.

All this started for me right after I had my son over 26 years ago. I still am on tons of meds everyday. It's a struggle at times. I am disabled now (partly due to this as well as fibromyalgia among other things).

When did your symptoms begin? (if you do not mind me asking.)

[frankly_fedup2]

9. I had those symptoms, and they did an ECG (electroencephalogram) . . .

which is wild in itself, and it showed no epilepsy or seizure possibility.

Funny you talk about falling off your bike because I call our generation the Test-Dummy Generation because we rode bikes without helmets, we roller skated without padding, I have had stitches from my head to the bottom of my feet. A lot more examples I cannot think of right now though.

I have had that rush feeling and usually when I start having those feelings, I get a numbness in my ears (both lobes at the same time) and neck. In actuality I am hyperventilating and do not realize it (I know, didn't make since to me either, but the doctor said that was what it was).

I had been having Panic attacks and they thought they might be epileptic attacks. I had the malaise and post-ictal symptoms of extreme tiredness after, but after a panic attack, with a HR of up to 150+, and BP increase, one will feel exhausted just like after a seizure.

Hopefully, it's not either. Depression can give you the feeling of impending doom. You can also smell and taste things that are not there and not be psychotic. I also, during times of deep depression, saw auras around everything, even chairs, and the light hurt my eyes so bad I had to keep a damp, cool, wet rag over my forehead and hold it down over my eyes.

I understand what your going through and hope they can alleviate your symptoms soon. I hope it is not epilepsy. However, if it is not physical, I do understand that it's a miserable and scary state to be in but remember, if it turns out to be psychological, in time this too shall pass.

[TrogL]

11. No I don't. Here's what really happened

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=276x727#927