Ask a Doctor Online Now
Ask a Doctor Online Now
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
Answered by
Medically reviewed by
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I recently underwent a 48-hour EEG (electroencephalogram) and received a report stating that I have non-convulsive epilepsy. I would like to have a better understanding of how this condition is impacting my cognitive skills and overall awareness. While I am satisfied with the diagnosis from my neurologist, I feel that I did not receive a thorough explanation from her. She has recommended anti-seizure medication, but I am hesitant to pursue that treatment option. Through my research on brain waves, I have learned that there may be non-medication approaches to correcting them.
In addition to the epilepsy diagnosis, I have a history of altered states of awareness, difficulty concentrating, and short-term memory loss. I also have a medical history of cardiac episodes, including stents, AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm), and triple bypass surgery. At present, I am not taking any medication specifically for the epilepsy condition.
I have undergone several lab tests, including CT scans of the head and neck, blood work, and cognitive skills assessments.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of how non-convulsive epilepsy may be affecting my cognitive skills and sense of awareness, I would greatly appreciate a more detailed explanation from you
Kindly help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I would like to gather some additional information about your condition:
When did you first notice the onset of your symptoms?
Could you please provide a detailed description of your symptoms?
Have you experienced any seizures in the past or had episodes of loss of consciousness?
If you have had seizures, how frequently do they occur?
Currently, what medications are you taking?
Regarding your Electroencephalogram (EEG) results, it indicates the presence of slow wave activity with sharp contours. This activity may or may not be indicative of epileptiform activity. However, it is important to correlate these findings with your clinical presentation.
If there are any uncertain or doubtful electrical patterns observed in the electroencephalogram (EEG), it is advisable not to discontinue any anti-seizure medications without proper medical guidance.
Please provide the requested information so that I can better understand your situation and offer appropriate guidance.
I hope this answer helped you,
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I have a list of medications that I will send later. I am currently at work, so I will not be able to reply until this evening. I hope that is okay. Also, since I am having trouble collecting my thoughts, I will provide short answers without worrying about spelling or punctuation.
Thank you
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
When you feel comfortable, please provide detailed information about your seizures and heart problems, as well as the complete list of medications you are currently taking, including anti-seizure medications and any others.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I have not been taking any medication for seizures and do not wish to do so. However, I am currently on a list of medications. My cardiologist referred me to a neurologist due to my cardiac history, which includes a past heart attack that required being shocked multiple times. Subsequently, I had other cardiac issues such as an aortic bulge, and required surgeries like AAA and triple bypass. Recently, I started experiencing symptoms that led to a diagnosis of a seizure disorder. Looking back, I suspect there might have been previous incidents affecting my head, which seem to be getting worse over time, potentially influenced by age. Despite these challenges, I am still able to function well. However, my primary concern is a lack of awareness. Although events feel real when they happen, they quickly fade from memory, and time appears to be passing rapidly. I am interested in exploring techniques to slow things down and improve my awareness. I have read about brain wave retraining and herbal remedies that could potentially help. Identifying the areas of my brain that may not be functioning optimally could lead to improved awareness. I often joke with my wife that I did not fully come back from defibrillation. I apologize for the lengthy explanation, and I hope this information is sufficient.
Kindly help
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
In light of your significant cardiac history, the occurrences of getting blank and experiencing a lack of awareness are concerning. To better understand the situation, I would appreciate additional information:
When did you initially start experiencing these episodes?
Do you have any episodes where you fall or experience a loss of balance? Do these episodes primarily occur while you are standing, or sitting, or do they also happen while lying in bed?
What is the average duration of these episodes?
Do you have any warning signs or premonitions before these episodes occur, or do they happen suddenly without any prior indication?
Have you ever spoken to eyewitnesses about these episodes? If so, how do they describe your behavior during the episodes? Do they notice any stiffness or tightening of your limbs, head turning to any particular side, or movements of hands, lips, or eyes? Do your eyes remain closed or open during the episodes? Have there been instances of urine incontinence or tongue biting?
Could you provide information about your current cardiac status? Specifically, what is your left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)?
Thank you for providing these details.
Investigations to be done
Differential diagnosis
Treatment plan
Was this conversation helpful?
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Neurology
Related Questions
Neonatal Seizures: Types, Causes, Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Seizure - Causes, Types, Symptoms, and Management
Why am I having problem in understanding what others are saying?
How to improve cognition in an individual with schizophrenia and OCD?
Autoimmune Epilepsy - Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment
What Is Epilepsy Or Seizure Disorder?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy
