Hi Cath,
I don't know that I will be much help, as I was just diagnosed with epilepsy this past Wednesday. I know what you are saying as to being tired and drifting off to sleep and then jolting awake, it is so aggravating. I started seeing a neurologist this past November and had an EEG done and it came back fairly normal. I started seeing her for migraines and after the EEG, she ordered a sleep-deprived EEG and it came back with seizures on the left side of my brain. I too have personality changes that happen for a few hours and then bam, I am so tired I sleep like a day, those attacks are so exhausting. I would suggest seeing a neurologist and explaining to them what you have described here to us. I believe you and NO
, I don't think it is you, it is them. You know your body and no matter how much they tell you it is you, don't stop until you get the answers you need. I am now having to obtain an MRI of my brain for more information. I love my neurologist and I do not know what I would do without her.
For two years I have suffered from neuro-pain, Psychosis after sun exposure and vomitting and diarhea attacks, along with panic attacks. All the other docs said it was all my going crazy and I was, but not the way they told me I was. I was having a Lupus flare with, get this, neuropathy, possible seizures, possible porphyria (sunlight protein metabolic disorder-adult onset), vitamin deficiency, and photosensitivity from the lupus and sjogren's syndrome.
Please, no matter what you do do not let them walk on you. You are definitely knowing your body and don't stop until you get the answers you need.
I would definitely go make an appointment with a neurologist ASAP
LETA
sle 99 w/cns & autonomic involvement 11/05, photosensitive, sjogren's syndrome 99, ra 99, fibromyalgia 8/05, sinus tachycardia 6/05, asthma 96, allergies to artificial dyes, sulfa, penicillin, cephalosporin 06/04, idiopathic neuropathy/neuro pain 11/05. Epilepsy 3/06, possible metabolic disorder, vitamin deficiency, or porphyria. (checking for now)
Meds are baclofen 40 mg, effexor 75 mg, prenatal tabs, calcium, potassium, vit D, qvar, albuteral, singulair, plaquenil 200 mg, pepcid ac 40-80 mg., tramadol 400 mg, darvecet 100 mg artificial tears and over the counter stuff for the sjogrens.
s anybody been treated for psychotic depression but feels they have epilepsy as their thoughts go so fast they end up having a fit? I end up sometimes in a state of awareness where I KNOW that i don't exist. This, however is not psychosis as i know the difference. i've been put on olanzapine but i feel i've reached a plateau. i'm seeing my psychiatrist on monday and want to bring up the possibility of epilepsy. i've had a eeg and it came back abnormal, but not for someone who is on medication. when i shut my eyes i can see flashing lights. i feel like i'm in a constant dream state and have been like this since 1998. i was severely psychotic for 5 years until i went to the docs, but i really think that i have some form of epilepsy as well. i have experiences when i'm too hot in bed or really tired, when i'm drifting off to sleep i will wake up with a jolt and my brain has some form of spasm, i'm terrified and then after a few secs it goes away. i had these same kind of fits when i smoked cannabis as well, before the full blown psychosis started and it lasted about 3 or 4 hours. people just thought i was crazy but it was more than that!! i would love to meet somebody who could give me some advice and let me know how effective epilepsy drugs are. 
Nevermind, some people are in a worse state than me and i should count myself lucky. It's crap to be young and have to live the lifestyle of an old lady, ie: watching how much you drink, sleep, watching your stress levels etc. Maybe one day if we get on the right meds we can live a lifestyle thats equivalent to our ages. If you need to chat, e mail me on 