Epilepsy, aphasia, anxiety, or something else?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hello. My wife has epilepsy but thankfully has not had a seizure in over 6 years. But for the last few years she has been having on occasion these episodes where se seems to get overwhelmed or anxious and is not able to speak the words she is thinking properly and can't understand or comprehend what others are saying to her, almost like they are muffled. 

Her Dr says o they are seizures, try this medication. But they are not seizures. One time at her Dr's office she described the syptomns to her saying that when there is too much going on, too much noise, too many talking, she gets anxious and this is when the episode happens. Her Dr kind of chuckled and said oh yeah we call that (one of her medicines names) psychois. So the Dr recognizes that the medication that supposedly is for seizures is the one causing the other episodes. 

I personally think the meds are not good for my wife and 6 years with no seizures is a sign that she is doing better. Whenever she had seizures she would have no more than two or three a year, which of course is way too many. But the meds are always only a test and is not good for her health.

She usually has the episode I described above wen at her work and always busy. Her friend described it to me today, she was talking with her and her mind was racing and se could not communicate wat she wanted to say. When this happens she is always alert and can walk and function. After she is able to go to sleep and wake up her mind is cleared and se can communicate normally again.

Last year the hospital did a catscan and everything was normal. And the Dr always wants to lable everything a seizure and try new meds and even reccomended surgery, when it is the meds causing the problems, it frustrates me.

I think my wife is afraid to get off the meds, I understand that. I'm hoping someone out there knows what is causing these episodes and can offer a better route than medications to help.

I thank you greatly for listening, thank you.

Ian

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    What meds is your wife on Ian  as I have had them since puberty and Docs tried to up them and I said no but they said yes.  So I went along with it and when I complained about my insides feeling like they were burning they just stopped them and I had a fit as they dropped them too quickly.  So if wife comes off them do it gradually  ie 5mg every other day and so on.  Good Luck I know how wife feels as I was on Epanutin and they made me ill x
    • Posted

      Thank you for responding, I know she is on Kepra and another one, I will find out later and post back. So you are off everything? Did you have any similar episodes? How are you doing now?
    • Posted

      Ian I am an oldie had them since 14 put me on phenobarbitone in those days and it seemed to work, well as good as possible, they lowered my pills recently and took me off Epanutin(not a good one) and lowered phenobarb and I was having seizures when not expected.

      I only have them in mornings, but they put me on keppra and I can smell it burning me and my skin smells , hard to get a Doc to listen nowdays!.

      Get your wife to get on AED's that suit her and fight them all the way.  As I have had tablets I didn't want but assumed Docs new better than me. They do not we are like test rats for them lol. jumps off stool phew feel better now lol xxx Good luck to wife xx and keep smiling the pair of you when possible

  • Posted

    Hi Ian

    it's nice to hear your interest in your wife's health. I really think she should see the Consultant again and explain the recent episodes. it's possible to change her medication for a trial period.

    good luck my best to your wife.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your response. All her Dr does when she hears about these episodes is say okay lets "try" these meds. Never looks into anything else apart from trying new drugs, I think Dr's sould do more than just perscribe pills and see what happens. I know there has to be a better way. 

    • Posted

      Ian yes it is me again lol Win, I saw my consultant and told him my body feels like it is burning and I think the drugs aren't working.  His reply was"Oh so you know better than us do you" I said "when it comes to my body yes I know what agrees with me and what doesn't"  So if wife feels ill tell them she nows whats what.  So go get em lol xxxxxx

  • Posted

    Hi Ian

    try and find out the epilepcy support group in your area.

    it could be helpful.

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