Epilepsy/Seizure Fears

I am scared this could be my biggest fear of epilepsy/seizures event though a few years the tests comes back normal. 

Hi AnxietyGirl, thank you very much for your reply I completely understand what your saying and I get that you can have panic attacks but surely panic attacks last longer. My symptoms are constant but when the what I call auras they only last a few seconds which panic me and make me think this is going to be a seizure given what I have googled. I really am praying its anxiety and nothing serious but I thought anxiety or panic attacks are usually things like chest pain, hot and cold sweats and short of breath etc... Not the visual auras and deja vu but worried I am going to be diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy even though a few years ago the doctor said it wasn't. 

I also must add I occasionally get these zig zag flashes and partial vision loss before a migraine so wonder whether this is related 

Hi Marleen, thank you very much for your message and reply I am very thankful. I am waiting on a doctors appointment. Do you believe that anxiety can create these unusual symptoms that are identical to temporal lobe seizures? I also get visual auras with migraines so I am scared it's all connected and I have epilepsy too even though in 2014 the neurologist ruled epilepsy out. But surely things can change? 

The drs claim they aren't linked in my case.

I know Jonathan but a lot of people get the very same symptoms and never have seizures so that's what l have said we are all different.Try to stay calm and talk to your doctor.You need to see a therapist as well so talk about that as well.Let us know how it goes.

I spoke with the doctor and they are going to refer me to see a neurologist to see if they can investigate further but their is a 3 month waiting list and I am scared that I am heading for epilepsy. I dont know if this is TLE or Anxiety or something else. I am so scared its Epilepsy. 

Hi Jonathan I want you to try something for me please and I know that it is far from easy.Try to find ways to relax l know you are thinking to yourself she doesn't understand l can't.I do understand you have to try to bring your anxiety down to see if your symptoms ease a little.l can tell you that you are not going to take a seizure however your anxiety will not let you have any peace of mind.Can l ask why you are so terrified of having a seizure? Have you always had that fear.

Hi Marleen, I am trying honestly but I cant get the fear out of my head. I dont actually know why I have this fear I have seen a few people have fits but it scares the life out of me. If I didnt get the physical symptoms I wouldnt be as anxious but I get all the same sympytoms pretty much of temporal lobe epilepsy and my anxiety has been sent onto overdrive and I am waiting for a seizure to happen. 

This information below taken from the epilepsy.com website is exactly what is happening to me so I have pretty much diagnosed myself as having it.

What type of seizures are seen?

Seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy include simple partial seizures, such as auras, and focal seizures with complex impairment in consciousness, otherwise known as complex partial seizures.

The most common auras are déjà-vu experiences or some gastrointestinal upset. Feelings of fear, panic, anxiety or a feeling of a rising epigastric sensation or butterflies with nausea are also other ways in which auras present in medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Some people also report a sense of unusual smell; this may raise a possibility of a hippocampal abnormality or a tumor in that area.

Complex partial seizures can be associated with a fixed stare, impaired consciousness, fumbling with their fingers or lip-smacking movements that last 30 to 60 seconds. There can be a posture change in an arm that also can help to delineate the location of these seizures. Some people also note problems where they speak gibberish or lose their ability to speak in a sensible manner. Some individuals report difficulty with the language, particularly if the seizures are coming from the dominant temporal lobe. Some people may have a generalized tonic-clonic jerking and this can lead to weakness after the seizure has stopped.

Some individuals can also have prolonged seizures and in some rare situations, status epilepticus may occur.

I am worried sick Marleen. 

If you can write your reply again as it probably won't come through until tomorrow.

I am at a loss because i have tried so much to relax and do things for relaxation but nothing works. I am constantly getting these weird symptoms which like i say are exactly like TLE from what all the websites suggest. 

I understand Jonathan however generally people who have seizures don't know they are having them they completely lose consciousness.They do look bad however a lot of people live very productive lives with epilepsy and it can be managed.You have to find ways now of controlling your fears until you see the neurologist.Practice relaxation several times a day you may think it is not working however keep doing it.Also exercise and eat regularly.Do things you enjoy doing and please stop googling.l personally think that health anxiety has increased dramatically since Google came about.I keep saying it is not a diagnostic tool.

Thank you Marleen you have been v helpful and understanding. I have suffered with this for years but I am scared they wont be able to diagnose me and tell it is nothing like they did last time. Websites say that simple partial seizures which I have convinced myself mine are I have read can generalise into bigger seizures if not diagnosed so if the mri and eeg i have come back clear do I take the neuro's word for it or just get left waiting for it to happen. 

In your opinion do you know anyone with seizures? Can anxiety cause these weird symptoms I have mentioned? 

Jonathan I have known at least 2 people with epilepsy and they have both grand mals and they are out living their lives and enjoying themselves.Trust me no one would choose to have any disorder however they are not letting it rule their life.l have also known a lot of people with anxiety some with the same symptoms as you have described.l have nursed a long time and to be honest the number of people that self diagnose would amaze you.They are not anywhere near what is wrong with them but they are convinced because they have one or two symptoms they have some incurable illness.Please understand an MRI etc is not just looked at by the neurologist so even if one person misses something the others won't.