Sometimes I get episodes where I have a hard time moving my eyes away from what theyre
looking at. I know that doesnt make alot of sense but please bare with me.
Its like when you daydream or 'space out'. But way more intense. I can hear what people are
saying around me but cant seem to answer. It lasts a minute or two. Even though I can hear
what that people are talking around me, I cant always remember what they said. Its hard to
explain. Sometimes during or right before or right after I get a faint feeling that lasts
quite awhile. But I dont ever really lose conscienceness (sorry spelling). Does anyone
else get this? Is this a seizure or just really bad brain fog? For some reason I notice this
happening more on the days my physical symptoms are better.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Dear LisaS,
There is another post on siezures on the forum right now. You may want to look at it.
I've worked for many years with stroke patients, traumatic brain injured, and closed head injuries.
I have seen people have this fixated look on their face and stare as if they are looking past you.
They don't respond for a few seconds , then eyes will blink and they will be "normal" again.
The neuro-psych characterized these as petit mal seizures.
It is possible that you could be having these.
Unfortunately, dx of this involves monitoring of an EEG from one to several days. It is said some people can have 100's of these a day.
Treatment is usually some type of anti-seizure meds.
I have had episodes where I get fixated on something and have struggle to divert my attention to what is going on around me.
It is dream-like in quality. Hmmmm........maybe I have had this "baby" seizures too.
Try to keep track of these. If they are happening frequently during the day, they may be easier to dx.
Good luck.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Cobweb (Member # 10053) on :
I personally rejected the diagnosis for seizures when first handed to me by a neurologist. I reluctantly agreed to take Keppra, an anti-convulsant(sp).
Now Keppra is one of the meds I take religiously, morning and night. Although I can still be pretty stupid in the head sometimes, I am so grateful for the Keppra.
My EEG was normal, but my Spect Scan was messed up.
Check other thread for more detail. Carol
Posted by LisaS (Member # 10581) on :
Thanks Carol and Geneal, I did go read the other thread too. Id be scared to add another med, especially an anti convulsant. I just hate the side effects from meds. Im glad its helping you though Carol. I go to my llmd this Wednesday and Ill bring it up. But I guess for now its something I can live with. I just wonder if anyone has these? Hugs to both of you! Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Dear Lisa,
Please be careful driving if you are having these little episodes.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by LisaS (Member # 10581) on :
One of my first Drs I went to sent me to a neurologist. He didnt do anything except have
me draw a square and then he told me I was manifesting symptoms of Lyme because i read
about it. Even though at that point I had no idea what it was. I had just been told by my
other Dr I had it. (After a Western Blot) So needless to say I didnt go back to him. But I
will bring it up to my llmd this Wednesday. I try not to drive, when I dont have to. But you
know how it goes. In fact Im trying not to leave the house if I dont have to.
Posted by mikeb (Member # 11374) on :
LisaS,
I too have those very same type of "episodes". I zone out for what appears to be about 5-30 seconds. I stare off, not at anything in particular, and can't break my stare. Usually my vision is very blurry or even double. I seem aware of what is happening but can't do anything about it. These episodes happened maybe once a week and over the course of the last year have increased in frequency to many times a day (sometimes dozens and dozens). They've also changed in quality to include loss of muscle tone (limbs go limp during the episode). In some instances I've noticed I wasn't breathing during these as well (a very recent change to the typical event) though that has subsided. EEG is apparently normal. 24 hour video EEG is next on my prescription list, along with a new MRI. Coincidentally, I was diagnosed with Lyme just last week. I seem to have nearly all Lyme systems in spades, including the Neuro type, that have all increased in severity over the past year. This is compounded by Hypothyroidism as of 2.5 years ago. I can't help but wonder if Lyme wasn't somehow responsible that too. It all seems too coincidental.
The point of this story is that these episodes presented themselves far before any positive Lyme test. While it's always possible to have a peripheral illness as the root cause, my money is on Lyme as the culprit. Pay careful attention to your symptoms and even keep a journal if you can. Being able to accurately convey them to a health care provider is one of the most important steps in proper diagnosis and treatment of any illness.
I'm still in the discovery stage of figuring out what these "zone outs" are and what's causing them. It's good to know I'm not the only one experiencing this!
All the best to you for finding a resolution!
Posted by LisaS (Member # 10581) on :
Hey Mike, It's funny that you say you have hypothyroidism. Today I went to my LLMD and he went over my tests from last time and he said I have hypothyroidism too. So we both have that and Lyme. Hmm how do you know who's the culprit!? My Dr said it might also be my eating pattern since I can only eat once a day otherwise I get sick. He also said it's possibly from die off of the bugs in my brain. Especially since I notice this is more severe at night after I take my Omnicef. But it looks like you've had this longer than you've been on meds. My feeling is that it's whatever damage Lyme is creating in my brain. It's scary. But I hope you feel better soon. Take care.
Posted by andi (Member # 11216) on :
Its so crazy to read all this stuff, because I
have been having weird brain feelings like the
ones you've mentioned.
At one point (exactly a month ago from tomorrow)
I went into shock from pain, started convulsing,
then went limp and couldn't respond to anyone
around me. My dad kept telling me to squeeze
his hand to make sure I was alive. I was
conscious through all of it (I think) and they
called 911 and eventually (four syringe-thingies
of Morphine and some Delaudid later) it went
away.
I typed in "brain" in the search just now
because I have been having exactly what you
described - weird moments of zoning out and not
remembering or being able to concentrate on
anything. My brain feels all foggy and almost
like little zaps and its hard to focus.
I heard it could possibly be the the spirochetes
dying off, also seeing little white flashes when
I close my eyes. And ringing in my ears. I am
not on abx right now but I have started a raw
diet which has made everything a lot better but
when I'm pmsing everything just goes downhill.
I am also hesitant to add any more meds, I am
already trying to get off some so that might add
to these weird brain feelings. I am just taking
so many I feel like they make me numb and unable
to deal with anything.
Just wanted to let you know your not alone. It
is very scary but I think it is the spirochtes
putting up one last fight before they die and
are HOPEFULLY gone forever.
Posted by andi (Member # 11216) on :
Another thing, with the eating only once a day,
I had that really bad for a while and had to go
into an eating disorder clinic, even though i
WANTED to gain weight. It took 3 1/2 weeks of 3
huge meals and two snacks a day before i gained
any weight.
Since i have been on a raw food diet my appetite
has gone way up and I have gained almost 9
pounds in two weeks eating much less, and the
stomach problems are almost gone.
I realize now how important nutrition is to
recovering so if you would like to know more
about this diet let me know.
I will pray for you all and hope you all get
better.
Posted by LisaS (Member # 10581) on :
Hi Andi, I get the little shock things to. Sometimes in my head and sometimes in my heart. But mention this to a Dr and he'll send you to a looney bin! LOL.
My llmd is patiently working with me on the diet thing. When I eat, during the day, it makes me really shaky and feel like I'm going to faint. But at about 6pm I make myself eat dinner and if I dont feel sick, then I want to eat all night. It's so weird. But what isnt with this disease!
But I hope you get better. That convulsion episode sounds scary. I also know what you're talking about with too many meds. My llmd just added more to mine, righ twhen I'm getting used to what I'm already taking. Well I tried adding cataplex B and Drenotrophin and I was up all night with my heart pounding. And it lasted for the whole next day. So I'm not sure what to do. Which meds are you on?
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