I was diagnosed with simple partial temporal lobe epilepsy about a year ago. I have been on 1200 mg/daily of Trileptal but don't seem to be getting anywhere in a hurry. Shortly after a trip to an endocrinologist, being diagnosed as pre-diabetic and starting Glisulin, I started having episodes. I have read the various descriptions of TLE and I don't fit in any nitch. When around external stimulus (lots of people, an airport, a shopping mall), and sometimes just alone, I suddently "Go away!" I am conscious but in my own world, in a tunnel so to speak, trying to reach out to my surroundings but unable to do so. This can last not for minutes but an hour or so. The only things that stops it is to sleep. It is like resetting my breaker though I remain in a stupor for awhile afterwards. In August of last year, I was having 3 to 4 per day. Now I can go up to 18 days without one and then will spend a couple of weeks one day yes and one day no. Tried to be brief. Any reflections would be everso appreciated.
I know where you're comming from. I get something very similar. I don't know if I can offer any suggestions but you can compare symtoms and maybe you'll get something out of it:
" When around external stimulus (lots of people, an airport, a shopping mall), and sometimes just alone, I suddently "Go away!" I am conscious but in my own world, in a tunnel so to speak, trying to reach out to my surroundings but unable to do so. This can last not for minutes but an hour or so".
I've been on anti-convulsant medications since 1979. (I also have ulcerative colitis which I also take medication for). For the last few years, I have these staring episodes and speach arrest. I'm aware of what is going on around me but I can't respond. My neoro. says they are petit mal seizures, brought on by stress. It usually strikes after a stressful event, when your defenses are down. If I wasn't on the meds then these would be full blown gran-mal seizures.
I have been on the same meds since 1979 (dilantin and pheonobarbitol) and because of the long term use, It would be risky to change meds because I could have lower brain stem damage. When I have these staring spells, everybody looks at me funny.
One thing that would happen is if I'm reading, all the words would be garbled for a few seconds. In my case it's just something that I have to accept.
Randy Diagnosed with epilepsy and ulcerative colitis in 1979,
This is a very interesting thread to me, ticaslick, it almost seems that you are writing about me.
I've had epilepsy since 1979, controlled by meds. I get a form of petit mal seizures that my Dr. calls "speech arrest". It only lasts a few seconds, I am aware of what is going on around me but I can't respond.
When I try to talk, my speech is slurred (more than usual). Most people have no problem speaking but I have to concentrate to form every word. (all the time but twice as hard during a speech arrest). Everybody thinks I'm stoned all the time.
Boy, I didn't realize that we take our speech for granted so much.
Randy (Ontario) <!-- google_ad_section_end -->Diagnosed with epilepsy and ulcerative colitis in 1979,
I also have absences szs ,I guess my attitude is they are easier to cope with than a grand mal. Since I have both. than can be regulated with meds.
I don't think any of us fit into a nitch, all all aur szs are diffferent. Where they come from may be the same but how we react to each one of them is so different.
Each one of us is unique and thats what makes treating epilepsy so challenging. But if your patient and have a a good epilptoligist you will hopefully be controlled.
after reading this site i believe i have epilepsy but am being treated with antipsychotics. olanzapine. they've helped but not cured. i feel the same, and had some experiences with migraines - i had the flashing lights and tunnel vision, headaches and a feeling of unreality that was so powerful. yet i knew what was going on at the same time and did not lose consciousness. i feel like i'm in a dream state on a day to day basis and the antipsychotics only have got me to a plateau. do epilepsy drugs take you out of this altered state of awareness and back into reality? i'm seeing my psychiatrist on monday and would love some input. i've had an e.e.g that came back abnormal, but was not abnormal for someone who is on medication. slow wave or something. what does slow wave mean, and would someone who had epilepsy have slow wave? i've had fits in my sleep where my brain goes so fast, just when i'm dropping off, and my thoughts are constantly 100mph, from the moment i wake up til the moment i go to sleep. this makes me so depressed, when in reality i'm normally a very happy person. i just want this sorted out.