What are the symptoms of "mild" epilepsy?

Question

I'm wondering if I should bring up this possibility to the doctor. I suffer, at times, from involuntary movements. They are sudden jerks that involve the entirety of my body. I sometimes can feel them coming and sometimes I cannot. I can't control them. They can happen at anytime, but they tend to often be associated when I (sorry) urinate. I don't lose consciousness and they don't last a long time--it is one violent jerk. I don't have tourettes syndrome, either. I don't drink any caffeine, also...

Is this a symptom of "mild" epilepsy? I know that some people have it but never have any seizures.

Could anyone suggest what it may be?

In the past have had episodes of sleep paralysis and panic attacks, and have issues every night with REM Sleep behavior disorder (I act out my dreams). I also daydream--a ton--to the point where I am totally out of it. I mention that because I vaguely recall that being associated with some neurological disorder. Please help!

Answer 1

Hello There,

I can't agree strongly enough with what Crouching Doggie is telling you.  You need to talk to your doctor, and you shouldn't feel at all embarrassed about bringing it up.

What you are describing sounds more like a spasm of some kind than a seizure, but there is no way I can tell from over the internet.  If they happen when you are using the bathroom, they may have something to do with what we call a 'dsyautonomia'--an issue with the sympathetic or parasympathetic parts of the nervous system.

I am not sure what you have heard called 'mild epilepsy,' but the term has no specific medical meaning.  It is not possible to be diagnosed with epilepsy without having seizures, because that's the definition of epilepsy:  a tendency to have unprovoked seizures.  But all seizures do not involve unconsciousness or falling down and twitching all over--what used to be called "grand mal" seizures or what we now call generalized tonic-clonic seuzures.  There are many different kinds, so you would have to be checked out carefully by a neurologist to rule out all of them.  And of course, it's possible to have epilepsy but to have it well-controlled on medication so that the patient has no seizures.

The "daydreaming" condition you are thinking of is probably absence seizures.  If you are aware that you are daydreaming, it is probably not an absence seizure.  The sleep paralysis and parasomnias (acting out in your sleep) should be mentioned to the doctor as well--some people do have seizures at night and it can take a very long time to figure that out.

Best of luck, and please do talk to your doctor!

Answer 2

I'm not a Neurologist and let me be clear that I don't have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorders.  There are many types of seizure disorders and many are very difficult to diagnose.

The best bet would be to consult your physician and discuss these issues with her/him and obtain a referral to see a Neurologist, i.e. a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorders.  The use of the term "mild seizures" is not one that is medically suitable.  Seizure disorders are very serious and require rigorous evaluation by an expert in the field, i.e. a Neurologist.

Moreover,  you shouldn't feel embarrassed about speaking to your physician about ANYTHING you feel is abnormal.  Physicians generally have seen and heard everything there is, and aren't squeamish and don't get offended by patients who are suffering from any problems.  Physicians have a vested interest in making their patients well, so you shouldn't hesitate to discuss anything at all with your physician because she/he is an expert in what s/he does and clearly wants the best outcome for you.  But not providing the physician with all the issues you're concerned about (i.e. your symptoms), the physician is limited in the data at hand to assist him or her in the diagnosis and treatment of your illness).

I wish you well.

Answer 3

Treat Panic Attacks and Anxiety:

http://treatpanicattacksandanxiety.blogs...

:)