Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group

Normaly I just burn effigies...but you seem all right. We'll postpone it, anyway.

The sensory experience you describe certainly sounds like a seizure. I've heard many people with complex partial (or simple partial, never can remember the diff) seizures describe them almost identically. When I have my pre tonic-clonic there is always a huge sensory element, usually taste, and this can and does vary to all the senses based on what part of your brain is actually stuck with the gas petal down. Also, the flashing lights as a trigger is very common in epileptics - known as photosensitivity.

The pains in your left side are a variation that would worry me, though. I've never heard of anyone (except one guy) who experiences pain during a seizure - and it being your left side exclusively can be indicative of circulatory problems, stroke, blood clot, heart attack, etc.

I believe, eff, if I may call you eff, which I like to, eff, that this is something you should pursue quickly with the medical community. Don't let their lack of interest deter you from insisting on getting a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible, especially if there is a repeat performance. If it's seizures, ok, no biggie, just something to adapt to - but if it's circulatory then you might have some real risks associated with it.

Also, forget insurance. Get the MRI anyway - they'll bill you. If I were you I'd want to rule out any serious condition as quickly as possible, money be hanged.

Good luck and cheers.

thank you so much for your speedy and kind reply! you have definitly created a bright spot for me in this gloomy day!
They did test my blood and heart in the ER and said I look perfectly normal in that regard. I really want to get the MRI but we are concerned that if they find something wrong, then there will be a pre-existing condition on my medical record and the insurance company will not carry me. With meds being as high as they are, it seems like it's necessary to wait.
I'll keep reading the boards to see what I can gain from all your experiences.
Thank you again Viking!
xo

Heya

Sounds nothing like any seizure I've ever heard of. Could be a strong aura, but that's one strong aura!!!! Unlikely it was in my opinion.

Scrape the money together and get yourself a CT + MRI. Doesn't sound at all like a seizure, especially if you have pain now and have subsequent symptoms.

Could be a wealth of things, seriously, get yourself checked medically.

Best of luck

And now I've got to take on Christopher? All right! (slaps chrisinuk soundly with gauntlet)

Of course an aura is a complex partial seizure, and is indicated by heightened sensory and/or emotional experiences - think what you have described as your own auras.

Of course a seizure can be caused by other health disorders than epilepsy, and the pain (as aforementioned in my preceding post, per above and yonder) seems to point that way. The weakness and tiredness - the post ictal phase usually is not long but it can last up to two weaks with such symptoms as tiredness and lighteheadedness and even a continued 'high' or disconnection, as the effigy wonders through the ether...

But the light trigger, the sensory magnification, all SEEM very seizure-like, at least to my tiny brain.

However, eff, if I may call you eff, which I do enjoy doing, eff, Chris's advice is very sound. Scrape up a little scratch, raid the 'strip-club' jar (don't got one? Stay away from mine!) sell your ponies, whatever, and get the medical info you need to make an informed decision. You don't want to find out later that you wanted to find out earlier. Yeah...that made sense.

K anyway cheers and toodles and such

Hi. I have TLE and most all of my seizures are complex partials. Any increase or intense change in sensory input can easily trigger seizure-like or true seizure activity for me. Your mention of the lights flashing through the trees while driving strikes home big time. I have a similar problem with vertical and horizontal window blinds. When I am 'triggered' as such I become very sensitive to anything - especially noise. I live with ear plugs nearby at all times because a faint sound can suddenly feel super loud to me. You may want to look at some literature on "sensory integration" with regards to epilepsy.
Best wishes.

Thank you all for your helpful feedback! I appreciate it so much!
I find out later this evening just how soon I can get in for an MRI and CT scan.
Thank you again!
xo

Sounds like an intense aura but seizure esp. complex partial will give you same (immense "high" and weird sensation) but also make you feel real tired USUALLY after episode, not chest pain and stuff like yours. No matter what it is, bear in mind that blood tests, CT scan and MRI might couldn't find out anything. Don't put too much hope on them (too bad I did). If then, better check more other things out to make sure that's not something serious. If doc. confirms that's seizure, but tests won't do the same, yours might be an idopathic (i.e.unknown causes). GoOd Luck! :D

I'm no doctor but the episode you described sounds more like one of my grandmother's migraines than one of my seizure.

There seems to be further confusion among those posting about the difference between a seizure and an aura. An aura IS a seizure, and eff (if I may call you eff) for your benefit, I have listed the basic definitions of some seizure types. Remember these are generalized definitions and an individual episode may occur with much narrower experience.

Partial seizures are classified into three types: simple partial, complex partial, and partial seizures with secondary generalization. Simple and complex partial seizures are, in effect, one big aura.

Simple partial seizures begin focally in one hemisphere and do not impair the level of consciousness. They might manifest in almopst any task of which the brain is capable, such as jerking of one extremity, abnormal sensation of one part of the body, a feeling of deja-vu etc.

Complex partial seizures begin focally in one hemisphere and do impair the level of consciousness. There is usually confusion which is accompanied by lip smacking, fumbling, or eye flutering. These spells usually last several minutes and can be accompanied by post-ictal states.

Partial seizures with secondary generalization may be the most striking, it is the partial onset of these seizures that matter most. A "Jacksonian march" is the label given to a seizure which spreads along the cortex with spread of the clinical seizure along one hemisphere. The victim (epileptic? Seizee?) may be aware of this focal spread along one side of their body, and then loose consciousness as the seizure spreads to the other hemisphere during secondary generalization.

All of this information is available on the web - just type in any seizure related search term and you will find a wealth of it.

Cheers, Jeremy

Thank you all for your helpful insight so far. I really appreciate it!
I should probably mention that I suffer from chronic headaches and light triggered migraines as well, but when this occurred I had no headache before, during, or after it. For me to not have a headache is very rare, so that in and of itself is peculiar.
This occurrence did not feel like any migraine I've ever had. Some of the symptoms seem the same (such as the sensory effects) but the absence of a headache strikes me as peculiar.

I also forgot to note that this experience began with a nauseous feeling in my stomach... like I was carsick without even getting in the car.

I am still experiencing weakness in my right leg and am very fatigued. My chest has almost stopped hurting now though, so that is good. I'm quite perplexed, and hope that the MRI and CT scans will offer some more info.

PS. Jeremy, of course you may call me Eff... how rude of me not to answer until now.

Thanks again everyone.
xo