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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / January 2004confused
The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until January 8th. I'm feeling confused about my possible diagnosis. My psych doc raised my Abilify dosage to 45 mg and I had an episode (possible seizure) but it was not as intense as it has been in the past. The episodes contain such a terrible rush of emotions that I cannot handle it and so act out by screaming and hitting myself usually, but this last time I was able to contain myself from acting out because the emotions weren't as intense. I am glad that I am not suffering as much, but now I am confused as to whether or not I am having seizures. Can antipsychotic meds make seizures less painful? I'm having trouble waiting to go to the neurologist to find out. And I am concerned about the tests not showing anything and still wondering whether or not it is seizures. I just want to know what it is. The psych docs don't seem to have a clue. Also I told my Mom to look up epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy which sounds more familiar, and she said it made sense that I might have that. She said I used to stare off into space sometimes and then start talking or doing something again. She had thought I was doing it on purpose to piss her off. I don't know if I have stopped having that type of seizure if that is what it was, because I have never caused an accident driving which I think I would have if I were having those still. Is it possible that the type of seizure a person has can change into another type over the years? Sasha > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until > January 8th. At least you now know that that a neurologist will look into your condition. I sure that you're anxious, but that's not so long in relative terms and in the context of how long you've been having these problems. > I'm feeling confused about my possible diagnosis. My psych > doc raised my Abilify dosage to 45 mg and I had an episode (possible [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > whether or not I am having seizures. Can antipsychotic meds make seizures > less painful? They don't know how or why many of these drugs work and that true of those for both schizophrenia and those for epilepsy. Look up Abilify at http://www.rxlist.com/ click on aripiprazole and then on Clinical Pharmacology. It says "The mechanism of action of aripiprazole, as with other drugs having efficacy in schizophrenia, is unknown" and that's just one example. Perhaps it could also effect a seizure condition. Long before I was finally diagnosed with epilepsy, the psychiatrists were prescribing me tranquilizer type drugs and some of them had positive effects. They also had bad side-effects also in some cases. > I'm having trouble waiting to go to the neurologist to find > out. And I am concerned about the tests not showing anything and still > wondering whether or not it is seizures. I just want to know what it is. > The psych docs don't seem to have a clue. They weren't trained for it. > Also I told my Mom to look up epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy > which sounds more familiar, and she said it made sense that I might have > that. She said I used to stare off into space sometimes and then start > talking or doing something again. She had thought I was doing it on purpose > to piss her off. It's possible that those were Complex Partials, but . . . ? > I don't know if I have stopped having that type of seizure > if that is what it was, but you've been taking medications. > because I have never caused an accident driving > which I think I would have if I were having those still. Is it possible > that the type of seizure a person has can change into another type over the > years? Yes, and it can depend up on medications also. Good luck to you! Bob > > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until > > January 8th. > > At least you now know that that a neurologist will look into your condition. I > sure that you're anxious, but that's not so long in relative terms and in the > context of how long you've been having these problems. I suppose that is true. I just don't wait well, but who does? > > I'm feeling confused about my possible diagnosis. My psych > > doc raised my Abilify dosage to 45 mg and I had an episode (possible [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > is unknown" and that's just one example. Perhaps it could also effect a seizure > condition. I do know that anticonvulsants are used to treat Bipolar disorder, so I guess it could be just as likely for a med designed for a mental disorder to help with seizures. They are all brain meds. I'm not even taking Abilify for what it was designed for, but it works great for my ocd. > Long before I was finally diagnosed with epilepsy, the psychiatrists were > prescribing me tranquilizer type drugs and some of them had positive effects. > They also had bad side-effects also in some cases. Ok. The Abilify appears to not have any side effects, so I should be glad it is helping. I'm worried about having to go on an anticonvulsant that might have side effects, but maybe just high doses of Abilify will work. Or if they do find seizure activity in my brain will they give me an anticonvulsant anyway? The weird thing is I was given a very small dosage of Gabitril (an anticonvulsant) for anxiety, a much smaller dosage than they give for epilepsy, but it seemed to make the episodes worse and more frequent and I became extremely depressed so I stopped taking it. Is it possible for meds to make seizures worse? It must have been doing something wacky to my brain. It was only a little worse so maybe it wasn't the Gabitril.... Who knows? > > I'm having trouble waiting to go to the neurologist to find > > out. And I am concerned about the tests not showing anything and still > > wondering whether or not it is seizures. I just want to know what it is. > > The psych docs don't seem to have a clue. > > They weren't trained for it. It looks like they would be trained for possible misdiagnosises. They should be. > > Also I told my Mom to look up epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy > > which sounds more familiar, and she said it made sense that I might have [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > It's possible that those were Complex Partials, but . . . ? But what? I don't remember what she was talking about, but I have remembered other people saying I was "spacing out" occasionally in the past. > > I don't know if I have stopped having that type of seizure > > if that is what it was, > > but you've been taking medications. So you think the other meds could have been helping that? > > because I have never caused an accident driving > > which I think I would have if I were having those still. Is it possible [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Good luck to you! Thanks, Sasha > Bob > Ok. The Abilify appears to not have any side effects, so I should be glad it > is helping. I'm worried about having to go on an anticonvulsant that might > have side effects, but maybe just high doses of Abilify will work. Or if > they do find seizure activity in my brain will they give me an > anticonvulsant anyway? More than likely, they would take you off of the Abilify and put you on one or more of the AED's. It might several tries to find the right combination. > The weird thing is I was given a very small dosage of Gabitril (an > anticonvulsant) In reading about it, I see that it may not be meant to be used as a mono-therapy, but only in conjunction with one of the standard AED's. > for anxiety, a much smaller dosage than they give for > epilepsy, but it seemed to make the episodes worse and more frequent and I > became extremely depressed so I stopped taking it. Is it possible for meds > to make seizures worse? Yes. I've had Keppra and, more recently, Primadone make me feel weird enough that they were dropped. > It must have been doing something wacky to my > brain. It was only a little worse so maybe it wasn't the Gabitril.... Who [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > It looks like they would be trained for possible misdiagnosises. They > should be. They should be a lot of things. But please pardon my bitter anger for years of being medically treated for problems I didn't have & not be treated for what I did have.. > > > Also I told my Mom to look up epilepsy, especially temporal lobe > > > epilepsy [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > But what? But who knows for sure? > I don't remember what she was talking about, but I have > remembered other people saying I was "spacing out" occasionally in the past. Could have been CPS. Isn't that what you were originally inquiring about? > > > I don't know if I have stopped having that type of seizure > > > if that is what it was, > > > > but you've been taking medications. > > So you think the other meds could have been helping that? They could have, but who knows for sure? You take meds that effect the brain and the results can be unpredictable. Hang in there! and let's see what happens. Bob > > Ok. The Abilify appears to not have any side effects, so I should be glad it > > is helping. I'm worried about having to go on an anticonvulsant that might [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > More than likely, they would take you off of the Abilify and put you on one or > more of the AED's. It might several tries to find the right combination. I don't think I should be taken off of Abilify because of the way it helps my ocd which is pretty bad violent thought ocd with poor insight, and body dysmorphic disorder. I don't know if anyone here knows what that means but it made my life hell. But these episodes also make my life hell, but only at certain times. > > The weird thing is I was given a very small dosage of Gabitril (an > > anticonvulsant) [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Yes. I've had Keppra and, more recently, Primadone make me feel weird enough > that they were dropped. So maybe it was just a weird side effect? I felt much the same way when I took Revia. > > It must have been doing something wacky to my > > brain. It was only a little worse so maybe it wasn't the Gabitril.... Who [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > being medically treated for problems I didn't have & not be treated for what I > did have.. I can see how terrible that must be for you. However, I think I have some of both problems. > > > > Also I told my Mom to look up epilepsy, especially temporal lobe > > > > epilepsy [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Could have been CPS. Isn't that what you were originally inquiring about? Yes, but from what I have read, the psychologist had his info wrong and the episodes were actually more like simple partial seizures. But I have also read that it is common to have both. I have been reading a lot. ve been taking medications. > > So you think the other meds could have been helping that? > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Bob Thanks, Sasha > > More than likely, they would take you off of the Abilify and put you on > > one or [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > it made my life hell. But these episodes also make my life hell, but only > at certain times. It's all going to depend on whether or not they come up with a diagnosis of epilepsy and then the doctors collectively will come up with some cocktail of drugs to treat both that & the ocd. > > But please pardon my bitter anger for years of > > being medically treated for problems I didn't have & not be treated for > > what I did have.. > > I can see how terrible that must be for you. However, I think I have some of > both problems. Coincidentally, I was going on 31 myself when I moved to a different city and naturally had to get a new doctor (psychiatrist). After I described my symptoms to him, he said it sounded like I had epilepsy. That's the first time the word had ever been used for me and I thought he must be crazy or totally incompetent. I had known a fair number of people with epilepsy and "epilepsy" to me only meant the type where people fall down & go into convulsions (i.e. tonic-clonic, grand mal seizures). I never went back to him. It has been only in recent years that I learned that the term "epilepsy" is a catch-all for any number of seizure types & neurological disorders. > > > > > She said I used to stare off into space sometimes and then > > > > > start [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > episodes were actually more like simple partial seizures. But I have also > read that it is common to have both. I have been reading a lot. That description is a bit different than what I recall when we told you they didn't sound like CPS. They might also be Petit Mal, but, here again, that's a matter for th neurologist. Bob Ever have these or unusual occurances at night when sleeping? > > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until > > January 8th. [quoted text clipped - 56 lines] > > Bob > Ever have these or unusual occurances at night when sleeping? I do not have the emotional distubances at night that I can remember. I seem to have them either under stress, or when not under stress I have them most often when excercising or showering afterwards. The only thing I can come up with for a reason for this if it might be seizures is the repetitive rocking motion on the excercise bike. I'm thinking that it could lead to the back and forth feeling in my head when it happens. Does this make sense to anyone? Strange occurrences I do have at night are visual hallucinations, usually upon awakening. Could this be seizure activity too? Sasha > > > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him > until [quoted text clipped - 73 lines] > > > > Bob > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until > January 8th. I'm feeling confused about my possible diagnosis. My psych [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > wondering whether or not it is seizures. I just want to know what it is. > The psych docs don't seem to have a clue. There are a lot of medications (not just talking about antipsychotic meds) that have off-label uses. That's one of the ways they discover these other uses; when a patient with a particular condition not related to the primary purpose of the drug notices improvement (or the opposite). > Also I told my Mom to look up epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy > which sounds more familiar, and she said it made sense that I might have > that. She said I used to stare off into space sometimes and then start > talking or doing something again. She had thought I was doing it on purpose > to piss her off. That can happen with a couple of types of seizure disorders that I'm aware of. We had one lady at work who occasionally stared into space and would tap her finger on the table top during a seizure; everything else about her was normal in appearance. The only way anyone could tell if she was having a seizure was to talk to her and see if she responded. > I don't know if I have stopped having that type of seizure > if that is what it was, because I have never caused an accident driving > which I think I would have if I were having those still. With simple and complex partial seizures (the type I have) you might be able to perform some tasks automatically, even complex tasks like driving. > Is it possible > that the type of seizure a person has can change into another type over the > years? Yes. Sometimes kids outgrow seizures, but that's probably not the kind of information you are looking for. If seizure disorders are uncontrolled, they can spread because every time a person has a seizure, it is more irritation to the brain. For example, I started with simple partial seizures, which turned into complex partial seizures, and I was told by the neurologist they could have developed into grand mal seizures if I had continued to go untreated. Barb > Sasha > > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until > > January 8th. I'm feeling confused about my possible diagnosis. My psych [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > when a patient with a particular condition not related to the primary purpose of > the drug notices improvement (or the opposite). Ok > > Also I told my Mom to look up epilepsy, especially temporal lobe epilepsy > > which sounds more familiar, and she said it made sense that I might have [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > With simple and complex partial seizures (the type I have) you might be able to > perform some tasks automatically, even complex tasks like driving. Really? When I have the emotional episodes I can drive but I stop and start and drive side to side a little and screech my tires. It is scary that this happens. It makes me scared to drive. But when it happens when I ride my stationary bike I can still ride it, although sometimes my pedalling is more jerky. It would seem that if I spaced out that I would comepletly space out though, but I guess you are saying that is not the case? > > Is it possible > > that the type of seizure a person has can change into another type over the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > into complex partial seizures, and I was told by the neurologist they could have > developed into grand mal seizures if I had continued to go untreated. Wow that is scary. It makes me more anxious to hurry up and see if this is seizures or not. I will definitely try and find out though. Thanks, Sasha > Barb > > > Sasha > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until > January 8th. I'm feeling confused about my possible diagnosis. My psych [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > out by screaming and hitting myself usually, but this last time I was able > to contain myself from acting out because the emotions weren't as intense. Hi Sasha,, Just throwing a idea out here,, Have you ever looked into autism or aspergers syndrome as to why you have this sort of behavior? The hitting yourself when overwhelmed sounds very autistic to me,,,, just a thought,, Take care, Vicky > > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him until > > January 8th. I'm feeling confused about my possible diagnosis. My psych [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Take care, > Vicky I never thought about these episodes being something autistic, however I have considered I might be autistic for other reasons. Since I was a child I have lived much of my life in a fantasy world. I can best describe it as really intense daydreaming, so intense that I can lose myself to the real world and spend hours that way. That is at my worst, usually I just split my mind and fantasize while I do daily tasks, but it usually takes me a long time to do things when I do this. Also I was very antisocial as a child, and I guess still am. I even used to stop talking comepletely sometimes. The one thing that doesn't fit is that I was intellectually gifted as a child. Somehow I think I just have normal intelligence now though. I feel like I am grasping at straws now trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I don't want to keep thinking it is something it is not. I don't want it to be autism because there isn't too much anyone can do about it, is there? What type of doctor dignoses autism? Thanks, Sasha I have known a few autistic people. There are many forms of autism. One of the autistic people I know is exceptionally intelligent and is interactive with people, but has other attention and OCD type behaviours that were not as noticable when he was a toddler. In other words, as far as I know, autism does not mean low intelligent and doesn't always mean totally lack of interaction with others. Hope this helps. Chris > > > The neurologist I was referred to is on vacation and I cannot see him > until [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > Thanks, > Sasha > I have known a few autistic people. There are many forms of autism. One of > the autistic people I know is exceptionally intelligent and is interactive [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Hope this helps. Thanks for the info. I looked it up and there appears to be a wide range in the types of disability one can have. Sasha > Chris > > [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > Thanks, > > Sasha > <snip> > however I [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > my mind and fantasize while I do daily tasks, but it usually takes me a long > time to do things when I do this. I don't think that you'll find day-dreaming to be a symptom of autism, but it is consistent as a symptom with ADD & several types of epilepsy. > Also I was very antisocial as a child, > and I guess still am. I even used to stop talking comepletely sometimes. > The one thing that doesn't fit is that I was intellectually gifted as a > child. Somehow I think I just have normal intelligence now though. You strike me as being a quite intelligent lady. :-) > I feel like I am grasping at straws now trying to figure out what is wrong > with me. I don't want to keep thinking it is something it is not. I don't > want it to be autism because there isn't too much anyone can do about it, is > there? It's unlikely to be autism IMHO. > What type of doctor dignoses autism? The same kind you will be seeing - a neurologist. Bob > > <snip> > > however I [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > I don't think that you'll find day-dreaming to be a symptom of autism, but it is > consistent as a symptom with ADD & several types of epilepsy. Hi Bob, They once thought the daydreaming might be ADD so they gave me Ritalin and it made me see things out of the corner of my eye and made little sounds no one ever pays attention to really loud and annoying. Anyway, it didn't work for me so they figured that was not what it was. Another doctor said my daydreaming was too intense to be ADD. How can it be a type of epilepsy? It is not something that is over with quickly but can last most of the day. > > Also I was very antisocial as a child, > > and I guess still am. I even used to stop talking comepletely sometimes. > > The one thing that doesn't fit is that I was intellectually gifted as a > > child. Somehow I think I just have normal intelligence now though. > > You strike me as being a quite intelligent lady. :-) Thank you > > I feel like I am grasping at straws now trying to figure out what is wrong > > with me. I don't want to keep thinking it is something it is not. I don't [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > The same kind you will be seeing - a neurologist. Well, I will be seeing the neurologist on Thursday. I guess I should mention the daydreaming too? Sasha > Bob > > I don't think that you'll find day-dreaming to be a symptom of autism, but > > it is consistent as a symptom with ADD & several types of epilepsy. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > for me so they figured that was not what it was. Another doctor said my > daydreaming was too intense to be ADD. I hadn't previously mentioned that I daydreamed also, enough to have my 3rd grade teacher make note of it on my report card. I won't embarrass myself by mentioning the cast of characters in my fantasy daydreams, but they lasted from at least that 3rd grade on into my college years. It was usually a case e.g. that a instructor wasn't maintaining my interest and I would drift off into my fantasy land and I was in big trouble if I was called on in class because I had no idea what had been said or was going on. > How can it be a type of epilepsy? > It is not something that is over with quickly but can last most of the day. I have epilepsy - complex & simple partial seizures. The MRI & CT-Scans were clean, meaning that they didn't find any tumors or scar tissue, but the EEG showed epileptic activity in both temporal lobes. It's the only professional diagnosis that I've had in my life and could explain the problems that I've had in prior years. I can remember these "feelings" (seizures) going back to my early teens & maybe before. It may also have been the cause of my tendency to daydream. > > > Also I was very antisocial as a child, > > > and I guess still am. I even used to stop talking comepletely > sometimes. I wasn't very social either and usually had only 1 or 2 good friends at a time. > > > The one thing that doesn't fit is that I was intellectually gifted as a > > > child. I've always scored in the 100%tile on any test of that type. > > It's unlikely to be autism IMHO. > > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Well, I will be seeing the neurologist on Thursday. I guess I should > mention the daydreaming too? You should very definitely mention that and any other symptom you've had of any type! Tell him/her everything and let the neurologist be the one to determine if it's related or not. Bob Hi Sasha It sounds like possible TLE which can be very bizzare and misdiagnosed and misunderstood still today. Read this artilce on it and see if some of it applies to your symtoms http://inman.surnameweb.org/documents/a-inman2.htm Thanks for the link. Some things made sense for me, but other things did not. I don't know what to think. I guess I'll find out Thursday when I see the neurologist. > Hi Sasha > It sounds like possible TLE which can be very bizzare and misdiagnosed > and misunderstood still today. Read this artilce on it and see if some > of it applies to your symtoms > http://inman.surnameweb.org/documents/a-inman2.htm I even used to stop talking completely sometimes. Thats something autistic folks do > The one thing that doesn't fit is that I was intellectually gifted as a > child. Somehow I think I just have normal intelligence now though. Actually people with ( Aspergers Syndrome) which is autism without the speech delay , alot of times have very high IQ's.... Take a look over at alt.support.autism and you will find many people who post there who are autistic and diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and I am sure you will find it quite interesting and enlightening Sasha. Many people dxed autistic have university degrees and some work some don't and are on disability ,,,, there really is a variety in the way autism expresses itself in each individual. > I feel like I am grasping at straws now trying to figure out what is wrong > with me. I don't want to keep thinking it is something it is not. I don't > want it to be autism because there isn't too much anyone can do about it, is > there? What type of doctor dignoses autism > Thanks, > Sasha A Doc who dxes autism would more than likely be a psychologist (note:not a psychiatrist) Who specializes in Autistic Spectrum Disorders Take a look at the alt.support.autisms FAQ I think you will see some similarities in your self with Folks on the Autistic Spectrum. Take care, Vicky > I even used to stop talking completely sometimes. > Thats something autistic folks do [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > disability ,,,, there really is a variety in the way autism expresses > itself in each individual. Seems like I was misinformed about autism and had only heard of extreme cases. It seems like there is actually a wide spectrum of severity. > > I feel like I am grasping at straws now trying to figure out what is wrong > > with me. I don't want to keep thinking it is something it is not. I don't [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Take a look at the alt.support.autisms FAQ I think you will see some > similarities in your self with Folks on the Autistic Spectrum. Thanks, I'll look into it. Sasha > Take care, > Vicky |
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