brain injury, nightmares, seizures?
 

Hello,

I had a brain injury in October. Concussion, whip lash, herniated disk.
My EEG showed electric activity on the side of my brain on which I was hit which may indicate an increased risk of seizures...something I have never before experienced.

Two nights ago I experienced the most horrifying nightmare I ever had.
I was a sleep in the dream and heard an intruder. I tried to call to my sister and only muffled cries came from my mouth. I went to hold my bedroom door shut...a large, muscular, shadowy, winged, devil-like creature broke in and started wrestling with me...I felt for sure I was going to die. I know I was trying to scream and was going through fighting motions? Would this be a symptom of a seizure?

Thanks

Hello meowrie,

Im not an expert, but I think that what you described was just a nightmare... a terrible and very vivid/almost real one, but nothing else...

You know, seizure is more like involuntary movements...

I found this in the internet, maybe can help you:

"An epileptic seizure is a transient symptom of abnormal, excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. It can manifest as an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic movements, convulsions, and various other psychic symptoms (such as déjà vu or jamais vu). The medical syndrome of recurrent, unprovoked seizures is termed epilepsy, but seizures can occur in people who do not have epilepsy"

I have had very real dreams, like you can almost touch the people or hear your voice, induced by some medicines I take, but I dont think that can be considered a seizure...

:o

Hi Meowrie,

The increased electrical activity in your brain should be explained by the neurologist. Perhaps it was a short slight burst, I don't know. Either way, you are more vulnerable to seizure activity. Whether on anti-epileptic medicine or not, those prone to abnormal electrical activity must take further precautions: avoid drinking alcohol, get a solid night of sleep every night, manage stress in healthy ways (exercise, clean, art, talk, etc.), avoid black licorice...and I think that's it.

Your nightmare was just that - a nightmare. I'd think about a thing happening within your life that impends doom. You are highly descriptive, which is great because it leads to clues of what's bothering you! Once you determine what your main source of anxiety stems from, you can then work upon resolving your fears. You'll feel better!

There are 30+ seizure types out there. I know of none that would have that effect. *Most people* are completely unaware of seizures that occur during sleep. They may feel a little strange and weak when they awaken, but that's it.

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
Lots of very informative info on this site for those who do and don't have epilepsy. Check it out sometime.
Shez

Thanks for the replies...I did have a small amount of wine before bed that night!!! And because of my accident I am under much stress.
I did not know that black licorice is to be avoided!! Strangely I been craving it lately...but have not had any.

Thanks again!!!

Hello again Meowrie!

The black licorice applies during pregnancy - sorry about my confusion! I have E myself, so I'm used to avoiding these things all of the time & black licorice is one of them. Once I stopped pre-pregnancy, I got that impulse out of me. I do LOVE strawberry Twizzlers though. I ought to own stock by now, lol!

Take care :0
Shez

Meowrie,
I have had for sometime what you describe.
It sounds to me like your nightmare can be PCS, or PTSD.
I'd get the most horrible and realistic nightmares!
My TBI cause me to have sleep apnea.
My CPap machine, (and, my doctor and I have added oxygen) has been a great help.
But, you may really need a clinical or neuropsychologist.
If you have the coverage, or ability to pay, go for it.
Discuss it with your doctor/ neurologist.

Any accident like you had, will bring a huge amount of stress.
And, that brings on PTSD.

I hope this tidbit may have helped.
Feel free to PM me.
I've been over ten years with the TBI.

(It's getting better all the time)....

Be well,

ASB
Pete

OK.. first let me say how horrible that nightmare was!!

Are you on any new meds? You can have bizarre nightmares with certain meds.

And were you able to move your body when you woke up?

But head injuries are bizarre in the fact that the brain is probably trying to heal itself.. were you laying on your back when you had that dream??

Jan

Narcolepsy- Hypnagogic Hallucinations
 

Hi,

I'm sorry for what you're going through. My daughter has suffered with Narcolepsy, and as part of the condition she sometimes has Hypnagogic Hallucinations-- which sound similar to what you may be going through.

Have you ever had a sleep test? It may be wise to do so if this continues.

God bless

the eeg
 

i have had several head traumas and for this reason they did an eeg on me too. they were convinced i was having seizures even tho nobody else was.

long story short, although i actually had an epilepsy diagnosis for about 8 months, when i had in hospital epilepsy testing they said the abnormal brain waves were not epilepsy but pnes.

does anybody sleep with you? i was just wondering if you were thrashing around in bed while this was happening. when i have a nitemare of often act out the stuff i am dreaming. to my detriment, as this has injured me on several occasions. even if you go for a sleep study they are going to want to question your sleep parter.

i have often had the nightmare where i am attacked and either can't move or can't scream. for me that is actually a good thing. it's not the worst nightmare i have had. i have a recurrent one where i can't even remember what is so awful, but i wake up feeling the dread and fear and it does not go away very quickly. the feeling alone is almost unbearable. fortuneately i don't have it often.

Hi
What you describe sounds like it could be a central apnea event. I've had this for decades, and it started after I was hit by a car with severe concussion and subdural hematoma at age 15. I would wake up unable to move, hallucinating wildly, and terrified. What happens is that your blood oxygen desaturates to the point that something in the brain stem kicks in and causes you to "reboot" and breathe again. You might want to consider asking your doctor about a sleep study....

hope this helps

gershonb