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Visual Distortion, Sweaty Forehead And Confusion. Diagnosed With Epilepsy After MRI. Is The Diagnosis Correct?
I have had a diagnosis of epilepsy.MRI was normal. The diagnosis was arrived at very quickly by the specialist. I am not confident the diagnosis is correct. What can I do? Symptoms are recollection of dreams, nausea, sore stomach, sweaty forehead, confusion and some visual distortion, for example the room or environment looks slightly weird. Duration is usually short, say 5 minutes or less. I usually get up to 1 minute warning of these episodes, and they are not totally debilitating.I have on several occasions felt washed out or not completely right over the next 24 hrs with accompanying very mild confusion or a not quite right feeling.. I am male aged 45. I have had these symptoms about 3 years. I am on Keppra, 500 mg twice per day, with little or no effect. I work 24/7 shifts, exercise regularly, eat healthy, enjoy a beer and a wine, and take Zarator cholesterol medication. My blood pressure varies according to the home testing machine and I was once put on medication for high blood pressure which made the symptoms considered epilepsy much worse. I believe I have the dreaming symptoms at least while asleep.
Mon, 2 Dec 2013
Hi,
Short lasting episodes of perceptual disturbances, preceded by an aura and succeeded by confusion are consistent with a diagnosis of epilepsy. The MRI is not always abnormal in people with epilepsy. Even the EEG may also be normal. Although anxiety can explain your symptoms, typical episodes of anxiety are not preceded by an aura and succeeded by confusion. They also last for longer than a few minutes. I therefore agree with your doctor's diagnosis. If Keppra has not helped much, you can try other anti-convulsant drugs like valproate.
Best wishes.
Short lasting episodes of perceptual disturbances, preceded by an aura and succeeded by confusion are consistent with a diagnosis of epilepsy. The MRI is not always abnormal in people with epilepsy. Even the EEG may also be normal. Although anxiety can explain your symptoms, typical episodes of anxiety are not preceded by an aura and succeeded by confusion. They also last for longer than a few minutes. I therefore agree with your doctor's diagnosis. If Keppra has not helped much, you can try other anti-convulsant drugs like valproate.
Best wishes.
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