Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
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
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
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
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LisaS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10581
posted
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!
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!
Posts: 3 | From NJ | Registered: Mar 2007
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LisaS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10581
posted
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
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.
Posts: 6 | From PA | Registered: Feb 2007
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LisaS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10581
posted
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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