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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Epilepsy / September 2004Think this might be epilepsy
Hi, I was lying in bed on Monday morning, rested and relaxed reading Bill Bryson and laughing out loud, when I started regurgitating dreams. This is much more than merely remembering them. It's like my brain being sick, throwing up bits of dreams I have forgotten about for years. (Or maybe giving me that sensation while inventing new bits). I don't lose consciousness - it's like a teletext overlay. This went on for a couple of minutes and then stopped for a moment. As it began again, I remeber thinking "Stop it - I'm trying to read my book" It stopped eventually- don't know how long. I first experienced this about 3 years ago when I was extremely stressed and put it down to that. However, have had it once or twice since then. Most recently a month ago and then this one, so perhaps it is getting more frequent, perhaps not. This one on Monday lasted a little longer and I felt the memory of it all day. It reminded me of short-circuiting, so I thought I would check epilepsy on the net, and eventually found the descriptions of deja-vu and dream recall related to simple partial seizures of the right temporal lobe. However, I haven't found anywhere the aftereffect I have, which is to lose my place in time for a while. Once the dream thing stops, I can't find where I am in the year. Normally we have plans based on time - I'll go shopping this afternoon, need clean clothes for the course next week, shame it wasn't a nicer summer etc. I lose that for a while, then it gradually comes back again. Initailly wondered if it was Alzheimers or some such, but now wonder if it is my poor old brain trying to reassemble itself after the shock. I have also noticed losing what I was going to say in the middle of conversations happening more and more. Brain goes to blank screen. This could just be my age (50 boohoo). However, once trusty old brain starts playing up I'm finding I'm distrusting all sorts of thoughts/sensations I would previously have thought of as just a funny moment. So it is most reassuring to hear other people's stories. As far as I can remember have never had anything like this before, and never had brain injuray or disease. Anyway, would appreaciate some thoughts on the subject. B It could well be epilepsy, but it needs checking out whatever it is. Do you drink a lot of diet drinks, or eat sugar-free food, or chew lots of gum and use breath freshener squares? You could be sensitive to aspartame. It can cause loads of problems, particularly around eyes/balance/vertigo type areas. Just a thought! Cathy > Hi, > I was lying in bed on Monday morning, rested and relaxed reading Bill [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > B This sounds similar to my experiences. All of a sudden I get 'dreams' pop into my head that feel so familiar I wonder why I haven't remembered them before. This is accompanied by a horrible sick sort of feeling and a sort of cold tingle sometimes down my left side, and ends with actually wanting to throw up. While I am having these I just about know where I am and what I'm doing, but have to concentrate really really hard if I'm in a public place as everything seems slightly different. The fit is over in a minute or so and I can't remember any of the dreams. After the fit I have trouble remembering ordinary everyday things for a couple of minutes. These fits have happened for two and a half years now (I am 35). I had an EEG and an MRI scan and they found a small 'scar' on the right temporal lobe of my brain, which can often be caused by a blow to the head or an illness, although I don't know how I got it. A diagnosis of complex partial seizures was made. Recently things have been getting worse as, although the fits themselves are not a huge problem as I know what is happening and how to handle it, I have been getting odd sensations, sort of strange half-thoughts, throughout the day when I have had a fit which is affecting me. As I have on average two or three fits a week and sometimes more, this has become a bit of a problem and I have started taking Gabapentin. I think you should see your doctor and get referred to a neurologist - although on the NHS in the UK it takes a long time. From first seeing my GP to getting the results of the MRI took a year and a half as there are long waiting lists for MRI scans. Sally Thanks for the replies - the 'so familiar that I wonder I haven't remembered them before' is exactly what I get. So tell me the worst - did it mean you had to stop driving? I've no idea whether I will be able to get a response from my GP, but I think I might like to get this thing checked out in case it is going to develop into something fancier. B > Thanks for the replies - the 'so familiar that I wonder I haven't > remembered them before' is exactly what I get. So tell me the worst - > did it mean you had to stop driving? There are so many possibilities to this one, the laws, the doctors, the severity of the problem, that its probably hard for anyone to say. I just got suspended effective today... based on a letter from a doctor who wasnt a neurologist. I didnt have one at the time... long story. But I do have one again now and is going to help me with the appeal. Then again, I wont get my hearing until December. And by the time everything is reviewed, if Im lucky I will be able to drive again in early 2005. So it will be several months anyway. Im in the US, and in California doctors are required to report patients having problems... a requirement I think is unfair and an issue discussed at length here before. But perhaps someone in the UK can say whether or not doctors there have to report patients to the govt. Check the symptoms on this chart -- http://www.epilepsyidaho.org/seizure.htm Unless you're having a Simple Partial seizure or (possibly) myoclonic? you wouldn't be *aware if you were having a seizure, as you described on an earlier post. Someone else would have to witness it happening and tell you about it. If you're not losing consciousness at the end, it's not likely either a Complex Partial or Grand mal on that list. I think an Absence seizure is listed under Simple Partial types. Likely more detail at http://efa.org the U.S. Ep. Foundation site. Some of the milder Simple Partials include an Aura, but your's don't even sound like they fall into that description. Usually the Aura -- taste or aroma that's not there or disorientation, precedes a stronger seizure if it moved from a Simple Partial (aura) into one of the other seizure types. Why did you think some of the occurrences you described on an earlier post might be Epilepsy? Lots of people who don't have seizures or damage that would produce seizures, can have symptoms like that without it needing an Organic Root. ?? G/ > Thanks for the replies - the 'so familiar that I wonder I haven't > remembered them before' is exactly what I get. So tell me the worst - did [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > develop into something fancier. > B The memory loss thing is probably just oldness - but the thing about losing my place in time only comes after I've had a dream episode/seizure. Thanks for info about sites - I looked at about 20,000 sites before coming across this one and only ever saw dreams mentioned twice - lots about deja vu etc. (It is so good to hear from people who know what I am talking about) I'm sure this isn't an absence seizure; I was with a friend when it happened once and told her while it was happening. Quite interested to observe the symptoms a bit more now I know what might be going on. I was so busy being amazed at the old dreams, I didn't really notice if I felt sick or anything. Probably won't have another for months now I am on the lookout. B ... I'm sure this isn't an absence seizure; I was with a friend when it > happened once and told her while it was happening. I was always aware during my absence (simple partial) seizures. Only someone who knew me well could tell I was having one. Liz How was an absence seizure for you? I have only read about the ones that the person concerned didn't know about - as though their awareness was absent. > How was an absence seizure for you? I have only read about the ones that > the person concerned didn't know about - as though their awareness was > absent. They lasted only 60-90 seconds. I called them 'flashes', because they came on instantly and ended just as fast. I'd become aware that my brain was racing. There'd be a second thought-track going as part of me was wondering "did I say that already, or did I think I was going to say that, or was I thinking about whether I thought I'd say that..." If speaking, I'd only pause for a moment. A stranger might think I was searching for the right word. Liz Seizure free for 5 years after surgery My doctor told me that once you are diagnosed with epilepsy of any type (in the UK) you are not allowed to drive for one year from having your last seizure. If you feel however that you would be able to drive safely even during a seizure, then you can go for a special assessment with another doctor who could possibly say that you were OK to drive. Take a look at www.dvla.gov.uk for more details of UK driving regulations. Sally > Thanks for the replies - the 'so familiar that I wonder I haven't > remembered them before' is exactly what I get. So tell me the worst - did [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > develop into something fancier. > B >I started regurgitating dreams. What a wonderful way to put it! Exactly what it feels like. >>I started regurgitating dreams. > >What a wonderful way to put it! Exactly what it feels like. I consider this attribute of the human brain yet another testimony to its wonder and mystery. Howdy! Whatever it is, it definately warrents medical investigation. I would keep an open mind, report ALL of the symptoms and let the doctors draw the conclusions. My first association with "flashbacks" wouldn't be epilepsy. (Then again, I'm not a doctor.)  SignatureDave ???? http://www.howdydave.com > Hi, > I was lying in bed on Monday morning, rested and relaxed reading Bill [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > B
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