[Magirose]

Hi all, I wanted to ask for some advice on this. I have an auto-immune disorder which causes meningoencephalitis. This is the diagnosis I got from my specialist I see for my care. He referred me to a neurologist because of neuro symptoms I had and also because I appeared to have some sort of seizure at new year. I had similar events when I was a child from about age 11 to about 21. Not often but maybe a couple of times a year.

As I remember the details I feel sick followed by a hot feeling rising up over my body. I fall down and lose consciousness and while I am out (reported by my sister when I had the episode at new year) my leg and arm on one side of my body were jerking. I was lying on my side so don't know about the other leg and arm. It lasted a matter of seconds.

When I came to I knew where I was. After the event I was absolutely drained and for about a day afterwards I was walking very much to one side. I had to walk only very slowly. I felt incredibly sick and had head pain.

My neuro thought this was not a seizure but a fainting episode. When I get the migraine type effect I have pretty extreme hallucination or aura. I have an effect, which can go on for day, like a camera flash bulb going off and bathing the world in a silvery light but what I'm looking at is at once heightened by the light but also objects are sort of obscured. Does this make sense???? Very difficult to explain.

I wondered if any of you guys out there have had a similar sort of experience? Is this a seizure or a fainting fit? I'm not sure. Would welcome feedback.

[Porkette]

HI Magirose,

What you are describing sounds like you may have had a possible atonic or complex partial sz. I've had epilepsy for 41 yrs. and a few yrs. ago I had a atonic sz. where I would see colors flashing back and forth in my eyes and hear weird sounds then I fell to the floor. This has only happened to me once. I usually have absence and complex partial sz. most of the time and when I have a complex partial sz. I start to see colors in my eyes and sometimes I hear sounds but it's all hallucinations I'm concscious during this time and then I blank out and when I come out of the sz. I'm confused for a few seconds and I feel more tired than usual.
My advice to you is to see a neurologist or Epileptologst I found that seeing an Epileptologist at a Epilepsy Center has been the best thing I ever did because Epileptologist specialize in epilepsy and they can find out the cause of the sz. along with putting a person on the least amount of sz. meds to help control the sz.
If you do see a neuro or Epileptologist you should get an e.e.g. done along with an MRI and CT scan this will help find out what's going on.
I am wondering if certain colors may be triggering your sz. this is known as being photosensitive. I have that problem when I look at certain colors it can sometimes trigger a sz. for me, along with being sick, or a low pressure in the weather. If you want to find an Epileptologist you need to ask your family Dr. to refer you to one you can usual find them at University Hospitals or Large hosptials. Try taking vitamin B12 once a day, cut back on caffeine, starch foods, and carbs and you may want to stay away from anything with nutra sweet in it because the nutra sweet causes more electrical activity in the brain and can sometimes cause sz. for a person.
Start keeping track of your sz. and write down what time they happen and describe them also write down when you start and stop your monthly cycle because hormones changing can also cause sz. for many women. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!
Sue

[Darlene]

Magirose,

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.

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