Cant accept I'm okay...

[Arietis]

Hi guys

As some of you know I posted the other day regarding the "seizure/episode/thing/whatever it was" I had last week. Now I suffer from health anxiety on top of my normal anxiety but it only gets set off when something like this happens. Otherwise I dont usually freak about health stuff.

Since the event last week I have seen a paramedic (who came right afterwards), 2 GPS, 1 Urgent care GP and a consultant Neurologist. I have had my heart, blood, eyes and reflexes checked. All OK.

The doctors Ive seen all dont seem concerned about what happened to me last week, but nor can they explain what it was. None of them have an answer as to what happened to me or why. I just cant accept that I am OK because now I am convinced that theres something wrong in my head. I.e tumor.

My GP wants me to continue with some anti sickness meds to stop me feeling sick for a week then go back if Im no better. (No idea if the sickness is from anxiety or what happened to me) I also still have ear pain, headache and dizziness which again could just be my anxiety....

I don't know what to do :( I am trying to accept I am OK because surely, all those doctors if something WAS wrong, they'd have picked up on it? Especially the consultant neurologist right? I mean, hes a brain doctor, he must know his stuff.... But how can they know for sure without a scan? :(

Sorry for big rambling post but I just needed to vent it out... xxx

[Blonde123]

What exams did the neurologist don't?

[Gary A]

A neurologist knows exactly what to look for with regards to potential seizure episodes. I responded to you and, to me, what you described in no way sounded like an epileptic seizure. I never just said it didn't sound like it, I gave you the reasons.

You retained full consciousness and the symptoms were all over your body. This is, categorically, not what any recognised epileptic seizure does. If the symptoms of a seizure are affecting your whole body, that means that the seizure activity is in your entire brain. This will cause you to lose consciousness. We spoke about simple partial seizures, which is the only epileptic seizure in which you retain consciousness. A simple partial seizure affects only one small part of the brain and does not spread. This is why you retain consciousness.

Sometimes in a SPS, there is what's known as a Jacksonian march. This means that the seizure activity slowly marches in the brain. The physical symptoms go from a hand and spread up the same arm, or from the foot to the leg. That is how far it'll go. If the seizure goes further, you lose consciousness.

What you had was not a seizure. My bet is it was a pretty horrible panic attack, but that's merely an opinion. If your neurologist and several medical professionals had even a slight suspicion that you were suffering from epilepsy, it is their duty to send you for further testing.

You did not have a seizure. You do not have a brain tumour.

[Arietis]

Thank you Gary you have made me think more rationally on this. Much appreciated.

[MyNameIsTerry]

I don't understand how they could not have a list of possible reasons for this.

A panic attack is a possibility, as is NES (which a panic attack is listed in anyway) or even an episode of dissociation. A neurologist can rule out epilepsy & seizures and determine a NES based on your history and anxiety issues. Dissociation may be something they know less of because you are talking psychologist/psychiatrist country there.

Didn't they say what it could be? They surely didn't just push you out the door without any answers?

[Arietis]

Hi Terry.

Pretty much yeah. The Neurologist basically said "I don't think it's anything sinister, perhaps a drop in blood pressure mixed with panic" he was the only one to give even a small explanation for what it was....

My GP and the other doctors though said and I quote "We can't explain it, it might have been a one off and never happen again" :/

I would feel better if they could at least give me a proper idea of what it was.

---------- Post added at 07:36 ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 ----------


What exams did the neurologist don't?

HI Blonde,

He asked a bunch of questions and then tested my balance, coordination, eye pressure, field of vision, reflexes and a few basic muscle strength tests.

I've also had an ECG, blood work, full eye test, blood sugar and blood pressure checked. All OK. Nothing to explain what happened. Which is why I was panicking about an MRI being the last test I needed to be safe I'm OK.

Xx

[MyNameIsTerry]

If he thought you needed further tests because he suspected it could be something, he would have recommended it. He would be looking at all your symptoms and not just seeing if they fit but also seeing what proves they can't fit, an important part of diagnosis.

It's frustrating about the doctors but if it were me I wouldn't be caring much about the opinions of general doctors when I've seen a consultant neurologist who is far above them in his specialism.

I think Gary mentioned the possibility of drop in blood sugar & panic on the other thread. It's very possible, all it can take is a trigger if you are prone to panic. If it was a NES then the neurologist would be the person making that diagnosis anyway so he obviously doesn't think it is, although he does believe it could be panic and that can be a NES but like the link explained, they are nothing sinister and anyone can experience them.

I only mentioned dissociation as a further possibility but with that you would be talking about it manifesting as part of the disorder really so that seems very doubtful. I think there would need to be a pattern that could be established to prove that for a diagnosis and you don't have such a pattern.