Epilepsy?

[Katiex]

Hello

Today was diagnosed with 2 types of vasa vagal syncope which is controlled with Fludrocortisone and lisinopril. My last episode was more like a seizure. The seizure get lasted between 5 and 7 minutes. I have a implantable cardiac monitor implanted to see if it was any heart rythme disturbances but it is not as the time during the seizure was normal I was told the heart rate rose to 170bpm. I have had a standard EEG and a sleep deprived EEG and a ambulatory EEG to try and catch a seizure but it is all normal I can't have a mri as I have this cardiac monitor.

My seizure starts when I have a headaches for a minute before then my arms and legs start shaking. When I start shaking I am unconconcious. last time I had a carpet burn and felt really tired after the seizure. Could this still be epilespsy ?

Is there a type of epileptic seizure which doesn't cause any incontinence or biting of the tongue ? Any reply will be appreciated

[sporan]

There are many types of seizure and they can all vary in how they behave. It seems to be a very individual condition, all sharing the basic symotms but all having different combinations or severity of the seperate components.

Judging from your post and your concerns your first port of call would be your epilepsy nurse (if you're lucky enough to have one) or the neuro or your doctor for refferal for a review. A call or e-mail to your neuro's secretary detailing your concerns, symptoms and question will often get a reply from your neuro or prompt an early review.

Hope you get the answers soon that you so need.

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hello Katie

Thanks for your message. It’s certainly possible to have an epileptic seizure without biting your tongue or being incontinent. These are things that can happen during a tonic-clonic seizure, but they don’t always happen.

Epileptic seizures are caused by a sudden burst of intense electrical activity in the brain. Sometimes the symptoms of other medical conditions can look like epileptic seizures, but they are not caused by electrical activity in the brain. We’ve got more information about epileptic seizures on our website: epilepsy.org.uk/info/seizur...

From what you’ve described it sounds like your doctor has investigated the cause of your seizure and has decided it was caused by vasovagal syncope. You can find more information about vasovagal syncope here: rbht.nhs.uk/patients/condit...

I hope this helps. If you have any further questions about epilepsy please feel free to get in touch here or call the Epilepsy Action Helpline on 0808 800 5050.

Best wishes

Grace

Epilepsy Action Advice and Information Team

[Hidden]

Hi Katie,

Grace appears to have answered the question well for you. I have tonic clonic seizures of 35 minutes long, whereby I am conscious throughout the whole seizure. In none of my tonic clonic seizures, have I bitten my tongue or been incontinent. I have now had epilepsy for 42 years.

Perhaps make contact with your Doctor or Neurologist re your queries - I am sure they will answer them well too.

All the best and keep us posted.

Les

[Jenny25]

Hi. I have epilepsy and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) both of which cause me to loose consciousness and for a few years were believed to be both caused by epilepsy. The key difference however is brain disturbance on eeg with epilepsy and a fast heart rate with POTS. Both had been described by witnesses as seizures . The way I feel after each one is very different however recovering relatively quickly after a faint but feeling confused, tired, achey for a good 24hours after a seizure.

It may be you have 2 things like me but I know its also possible for a faint to look like a seizure to witnesses.

What is your recovery like after an episode?

Jenny

[Katiex]

After an episode from a vasa vagal syncope I can feel tired but not for long. After the seizure it took longer for me to come round normal again the paramedics said I was post ictle for a while