I suffered an isolated sensory seizure as a teen. It began with an unusual movement/sensation of burning/tearing in my stomache, followed by a rising flushing. I understand this to be the "epigastric aura" of a temporal lobe seizure. (not everyone who has TLE will experience this aura).
My question is whether anyone else has experienced partial or partial/complex seizure with visual distortions in conjunction with the epileptic discharge?
My memory of my seizure was that I had discharges every 4 seconds for about a minute and a half, and each time I felt the shock, my vision distorted so that anything i was looking at "zoomed" away and appeared to be at the far end of a long tunnel. Visual illusion with epileptic discharge is documented in neurological texts, and I am curious to know how common it might be.
Thank You,
Neurotwam

Hi neurotwam,

For many yrs. I've had complex partial seizures and absence (petit mal) seizures. When I get a get a complex partial seizure often I get a nervous feeling in my stomach, then I start to see colors flashing back and forth in my eyes, there have been times when I have looked at things at they look far away when I'm right near them. The reason why you are seeing the colors is because the seizure is starting in the optical lobe where your eye sight is and the problems you are having with your stomach is when a seizure starts and it drops down to your stomach. This is also known as an aura or simple partial seizure that leads into a complex partial seizure. Just like you I have temporal lobe seizures. One thing that you might want to try that has worked great for me is the moment you get the feeling in your stomach tighten up all the muscles in your body and make your hands into tight fists this often will stop the seizure. I have been doing this since the 1970's and it works great. Another thing you can do is cold water therapy 3 times a day put a cold washcloth on your face and neck this helps calm the neurons down in your brain so you won't have any seizures. I wash in a medical study with this last yr. and it works great. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

It took some research, but I answered my own question. It has been established that visual illusions can occur in conjunction with the epileptic discharge. Apparently, I had a complex partial seizure that engulfed my visual pathways. The result was a distortion of my vision which is called "metamorphopsia". If you search on google images, you can see pictures of metamorphopsia caused by retinal issues. When it occurs during a seizure, it is more pronounced. And, I recently had an EEG which showed significant abnormality in my left (dominant) temporal lobe, which suggests a history of seizure. So, I am off for more diagnostics and investigation into my issues of major depression and altered consciousness states.
My gratitude to the forum.

Hi neurotwam,

Just like you I've had complex partial seizures for 39 yrs. and I will often see colors flashing back and forth in my eyes. My Epileptologist and Neurosurgeon found that I had activity going on in the opptical lobe of my brain (back of my head) and this is what was causing me to see all these odd colors and them I would go unconscious.

If others are around you when you have a seizure ask them to keep their eye on you to see if you are smacking your lips, wandering around, or pulling at your clothes. These are all other signs of complex partial seizures.

In regards to depression and altered consciousness states that happens to people who have epilepsy. Depression starts from both the seizure med and the complex partial seizures as well as the area of the brain that's triggering seizures. The only time that I have never gone unconscious in all the yrs. I've had seizures is when I have a simple partial (aura) seizure.I'm conscious during those seizures but the rest of the time I blank out and I don't remember anything until after the seizure is over.
Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

I get the distorted vision where people's heads look smaller than their body...and everything else looks far away like the tunnel vision you're describing.

My distorted vision causes me to see half of someones face or half of my hand or whatever I'm looking at.I usually end up with an awful headache and sensitivity to light afterwards.My Seizures usually last up to 20-30 minutes

mrkb25,

It is great to have you come and be with us. You will fine a great number of dear friends to listen when you are in need of ears. Please, just let us know how we can help you out. You will find out we are supportive and relaxing place.

Sorry to hear what you are going through at this time. Then you to go on with these signs check with an Epileptologist (Dr. specializing in epilepsy) at an Epilepsy Center which are usually at University or large hospitals.

Start keeping track of your seizures by writing them down on a calendar, by doing this the Dr. may see a pattern in your seizures. Get yourself on vitamin B12 500 mcg. once a day. Also avoid very bright light, like at a theater, the flashing can bring on a seizure. Just close you eyes and turn your head at that time.

Please keep us up to date on your situation. Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I get the same thing but am newly diagnosed. Mine always happen during my full blown seizures but it happens frequently and randomly. It happened during my EEG and my EEG came back abnormal, I was diagnosed yesterday and the nurse practitioner (the neuro was out for the week) said that it was probably a partial seizure.

I don't know how common it is but I get that feeling, and I do get it with the aura as well, but I get it would any of the more intense seizures as well

I have something very similar happen, although I haven't been diagnosed yet.

I get this almost "high" or deja vu feeling which is immediately followed by everything shaking from side to side. I've had people look at my eyes and they said that my eyes never move, but its a constant back and forth motion. It is like when you spin around in circles really fast and you stop and its like your eyes have to catch up, but without being dizzy.