Hello all!

I stumbled upon this forum a week or so ago and have been reading posts ever since. I am currently going through the process of being diagnosed with epilepsy. My neurologist is 99% sure that I have temporal lobe epilepsy, among other things, and put me on lamotrigine last week. My symptoms include strange deja vu with uncontrollable thoughts (which I never remember), plus the feeling like someone is running a current through my body and blacking out. These began a year ago and I just thought they were strange panic attacks. Since then the frequency has picked up and other types of seizures have also started. At the moment nights are hell and days aren't much better. I find myself too exhausted to function most days, which is making college difficult. I'm still pushing through though and just praying for some relief.

Question: At my neuro exam I failed the tests that ask you to distinguish between stimuli on the left and right side of your body. I did not do well on the ones where they ask if something (cold mallet or pointy stick) feels different on the left vs the right. Has anyone ever had that before?

Second question: She ordered a MRI of my temporal lobe for Friday morning. At 7:00 Friday night (two hours after the office closed), I received a call with my results even though I was told the DOCTOR would not hear anything until Tuesday and I would not hear anything until my next appointment. A cyst/tumor showed up on my pituitary gland that was not there at my last MRI three years ago. My neuro would not give me any details other than she would call me Tuesday and have me come in ASAP to run more tests. I'm sure it's nothing but I'm curious to know if anyone has any ideas for me about what this could mean?

Thanks!

jumpwhat,

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.

I do have epilepsy, and had it since I was ten. My best advice for you is to see an Epileptologist at an Epilepsy Center you can usually find them at big or university hospitals, have your GP refer you to one and they can pinpoint the exact cause of your epilepsy. Get a calendar and start keeping track of your sz. write down what time it happens along with a discripition of the sz. and also write down when you start and stop your cycle each month by doing this your Dr. may see a pattern in your sz. and can tell if they are hormone related. Also try taking vitamin B12 1000 mcg. once a day it has reduced my sz. greatly. If the Dr. does an e.e.g. on you again ask them to flash different color strobe lights one at a time this will tell what colors are triggering sz. for you.

Click on the following forum, there you will find some great friends that will assist you on other questions.

Epilepsy:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum11.html

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

Darlene