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Old 02-12-2014, 06:31 PM
jmclark jmclark is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8
10 yr Member
jmclark jmclark is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8
10 yr Member
Default Dystonia vs. seizures

I have nocturnal episodes tentatively diagnosed as frontal lobe epilepsy. They have been going on for about 4 years. A recent 2-week video EEG revealed a couple of the seizures with no corresponding EEG correlate, but the epileptologists say that it could simply mean the seizure focus is too deep for surface electrodes to pick up on.
The seizure starts with my left middle finger closing into my hand, then my left and/or both (never just the right) lower legs start to tingle then progress into dystonic posturing at the same time the flexion in my middle finger becomes tighter and progresses into my entire left arm also tightly flexing and kind of folding tightly around my head. My head turns to the left side. Sometimes the head turn is followed by upper body turn. The seizure may stop here, after anywhere from 20 - 60 seconds, other times it will suddenly progress into my torso and cause me to do a partial "ab crunch" of my left side, and this will make the seizure last about another 10-20 sec. Anti-seizure medication (Lacosamide) does seem to help, but I am told this doesn't necessarily rule in epilepsy because some movement/muscle disorders can be helped by anti-seizure medication. I have an appointment with a neuromuscular neurologist, but this is not for 6 months from now.

That's my story; now the questions: Has anyone here had episodes at all like this but been diagnosed with something besides epilepsy? Does any of what I have sound like dystonia? Are any of you affected by dystonia "attacks" only at night? Are your episodes worsened with being overly busy (ie. good stress as well as bad stress) or excessive exercise?

Any other info. you can offer will be much appreciated.
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