Temporal lobe epilepsy?

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Well, it if was a seizure it would probably be a simple partial seizure (can you tell I've been doing lots of reading? ). Simple partial seizures involve focal areas of abnormal electricity in the brain and don't cause loss of consciousness. A simple partial seizure is known as an aura if it begins as a simple partial and then generalizes to a complex partial or tonic-clonic seizure (which it doesn't always do). So simple partial seizures can involve just affective symptoms, like a rage attack, or bizarre sensory symptoms. I just don't know if they could resemble the type of thing I've been experiencing.

I read what you posted, and it looks like the neurologist is saying that you may have had blockages in some of the teeny-weeny branches of the arteries in your brain (as a result of microvascular disease) leading to some damage to the white matter around your ventricles, but that you don't currently have any blockages (no acute infarct). You mentioned a history of mini-strokes (TIAs), which would make sense since a TIA (transient ischemic attack) refers to a temporary blockage of blood flow in the brain. Did you tell your neurologist about the TIAs? You should also be aware that people who have had multiple TIAs may be more likely to have a full-blown stroke at some point.

How much is the co-pay? It might be worth it to find out if you are at risk for future, more major blockages, or if there is any medication which might help you (like treatment for risk factors like hypertension or high cholesterol). I don't know if microvascular disease is normal at your age or not, but it seems like something you might want to follow up on.

good luck cats, I think if you give an accurate description, particularly if you stress that the rest of the time you feel well, they will consider what you have to say seriously.

Good luck cats! Keep us informed. I'll let you know what happens with my tests (EEG, MRI), the results, might be useful eh.

In other words, you don't want him to think you're "uppity."
That whole attitude is a lie. It's just another form of oppression.
Damn right I got some information off the internet. Why should I grovel and be ashamed of this?
"I'm sorry, sir, for trying to educate myself and for being concerned about my own health."
You're an Aspie. The ultimate bully magnet. A looser. And you're asking for help from one of the winners. They'll take your money. They might actually help you if you stay awake and force them to. You will never get their genuine respect.
If you don't take care of yourself, no one will.

A tad cynical, perhaps, but I agree - doctors aren't necessarily on your side at all.

I've wondered if I had this. But apparently its rare, and most of the time I think my symptoms are psychological rather than neurological.

I have mood swings, all though not so badly any more, and maybe epilepsy could explain that. I also get really 'out of it', become unaware of what I'm doing, get suddenly very tired (which I blame on stress but my doctor said could be mild epilepsy), smell/taste blood or chlorine when there isn't any, and get strange feelings that something isn't right (really vague, I know, but I really can't explain it better). All of those seem a bit like epilepsy, but I think I'm over-reacting.

I think Aspeger's makes you likely to have mood swings and overreact to stuff (correct me if i'm wrong!), so maybe it's common for people with AS to think they have Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Oh - and I'm pretty sure doctors see a LOT of hypochondriacs - some people go to the doctor for really minor things, so don't be scared. Just say you're worried about the symptoms you have. Maybe just say you're worried you have a neurological problem or just epilepsy, rather than mentioning temporal lobe epilepsy if you're worried about diagnosing yourself using Google!

Ok, so the doctors are ignorant, and if you step out of line they feel a need to put you in your place and play shrink and call you a hypochondriac, so the way to get around that is to lie and grovel and kiss his ass and pretend to be ignorant and HOPE that he takes the hint eventually, which he won't because he is ignorant which is why I went to the internet in the first place. Thanks. My head was already spinning.

Yes good luck cats.

I am interested in what happens with you as I too thought I was alone in feeling like that.

Take care

Later Later

I missed this batch of posts the last time I looked. It helps to turn the page.

Thanks, Cats.

Yes, I've been going on and on about the TIAs for years, but no one acts as though they really take me seriously. I've been to the emergency room twice, and all I get is neglect and abuse. Can bad facial expression and body language make them think I'm imagining it all? Or am I just so repulsive that they don't want to help?
I saw my GP today. Long story, but I'm so pissed off I don't know what to do.
You're probably right about seeing the neurologist again. I have an appointment for Wednesday. But if I'm forced to strangle him...

Why can't doctors just be straight with me, like the people around here?

Last edited by Tahitiii on 10 Oct 2008, 6:20 am, edited 1 time in total.

The profit motive?

Doctors do make mistakes, only they will hardly ever commit it was a mistake. They see lots of different patients in a very short time. Most appointments are scheduled for 5 or 10 minutes and how are you supposed to explain what's going on and expect there's time to have your questions answered?
Doctors seems to generalise a lot and not looking good or closely to the person/patient. They seem to have so sort of authority and use difficult terminology too (show off), to make things go quick so they can move on to the next patient. Doctors are willing to cure, they are interested in getting you better, but they are more focussed on the disease or health issue.
Also do not expect that specialists know from each other what they do. The communication is not that efficient most of the time and it is good to be prepared to give them a hand.

A few things that might help with seeing a doctor.
1- write down your symptoms, complaints
2- write down your questions
3- take these notes with you to the appointment
4- take somebody with you to the appointment you can trust and feel comfortable with, so if you are not able to ask questions, explain what's going on, the person who is with you can support you can stand up for you. It is not strange to take somebody with you, not even when you have an appointment with your GP.
5- be clear to your doctor and use the "I" technique within your communication, to avoid your doctor gets defensive and not cooperative (they are humans you know and most likely nt's too
6- Take an overview/list with your medication with you, with the names, dosage and times to take which medication.
7- have a list with your allergies with you

A few examples of mistakes I had been through and I am sure I am not the only one! My savior was the damage claim I have going on against the driver who knocked me off my bicycle, so I got and still get to see private specialists.
1- I was misdiagnosed, a concussion and whiplash (2006), turned out to be a skull fracture. I was told I would be myself again after 2 years... now it turns out I have some permanent damage, slow healing and I might have developped temporal Lobe Epilepsy. The mistakes were on different levels, ambulance not taking me to hospital, misdiagnosed by ER docters later, a bad quality ct scan, bad communication between doctors.
2- I was not correctly diagnosed again by my GP. She said I had a depression and just put on a higher dose of amitriptyline, while there should have been more examination and scans needed. Now this depression turns out to be very likely temporal lobe epilepsy....
Several therapists said I was not depressed, but I have a very positive attitude and was/still am working very hard to improve myself and I improved a lot in a couple of months too. I wanted to come off the amitriptyline, but my GP didn't like that idea. She said she wanted to keep me on it because a depression doesn't heal that quick.... I stood up for myself, explained about the possible epilepsy and she gave in a bit. She said I was confused still with the head injury and all. I went from 75mg to 50 mg, but what did I find out at the chemist and on my prescription??? Take 2 pills every evening... of 50 mgs... (100mg in total). Of course I ignored that and only take 1 pill. But who is confused here....
I will change GP now.

sorry

Sorry.
That sounded like a rant against you, which was not the intention.
I'm just... never mind the re-rant...
You're good. Everyone here is good and trying to help.

No, it's okay, it was a silly thing to say.

----

Agree with you.