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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
funny episodes during night - epilepsy???
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
funny episodes during night - epilepsy???
by chuckles-94, Apr 17, 2006 12:00AM
14 months ago i suffered a fall resulting in thoracic compression fractures i landed vertical on my head. Since the accident i have had bad headaches and dizzy spells (not always at the same time) during these spells i have felt light headed and as though someone was pulling my head backwards these only last a few seconds at a time but keep happening for a few mins i have been sitting down when these spells happen i have seen a neurologist and had a CT scan which showed no abnormalities and an EEG which showed no abnormalities i have recently had a MRI and waiting for results and i am also due to have a sleep deprived EEG and a 24 hour ECG.
however a week ago whilst drifting of to sleep i had a really bizzare sensation it was like a dream but i was aware of what i was feeling and could actually feel whatever my limbs were doing at the time im still not sure if i was awake or just dreaming though. my whole body felt like i was attached to one of the slender tone type machines that is turned up to the max i couldnt move anything it was as if my body was in spasm. i 'dreamt that i was on the floor of my bedroom trying to get to the door but my arms and legs wouldnt move, when i 'woke' up i thought i was on the floor and it took me quite a while for me to realise that i was in my bed and hadnt actually moved at all it was very scary. this kept happening every time it drifted into sleep and it got to a point where i was frightened to go to sleep incase it happened again i got very confused after i didnt no where i was or what it was. for the next few days i was very tired.
the week prior to the incident i was redecorating the house and very busy with university work so i had been very tired physically and mentaly
i dont no what this is if anything as nothing remotely like it has ever happened before it will be another 2 months before i get to see my neurologist again so iam really worried about this as during and after i didnt have a clue where i was but im not sure if i should ask to see her sooner or if i would be wasting her time?
could you please tell me the difference between the EEG and sleep deprived EEG and why im likely to be having the 24hour ECG as all the tests i have had up to now have been with my head not my heart. and do these funny spells sound like anything to you or am i just going round the bend?
i am a 20 year old female who is otherwise fit and healthy
thankyou any info is very much appreciated.
however a week ago whilst drifting of to sleep i had a really bizzare sensation it was like a dream but i was aware of what i was feeling and could actually feel whatever my limbs were doing at the time im still not sure if i was awake or just dreaming though. my whole body felt like i was attached to one of the slender tone type machines that is turned up to the max i couldnt move anything it was as if my body was in spasm. i 'dreamt that i was on the floor of my bedroom trying to get to the door but my arms and legs wouldnt move, when i 'woke' up i thought i was on the floor and it took me quite a while for me to realise that i was in my bed and hadnt actually moved at all it was very scary. this kept happening every time it drifted into sleep and it got to a point where i was frightened to go to sleep incase it happened again i got very confused after i didnt no where i was or what it was. for the next few days i was very tired.
the week prior to the incident i was redecorating the house and very busy with university work so i had been very tired physically and mentaly
i dont no what this is if anything as nothing remotely like it has ever happened before it will be another 2 months before i get to see my neurologist again so iam really worried about this as during and after i didnt have a clue where i was but im not sure if i should ask to see her sooner or if i would be wasting her time?
could you please tell me the difference between the EEG and sleep deprived EEG and why im likely to be having the 24hour ECG as all the tests i have had up to now have been with my head not my heart. and do these funny spells sound like anything to you or am i just going round the bend?
i am a 20 year old female who is otherwise fit and healthy
thankyou any info is very much appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 18, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 18, 2006 12:00AM
Brainwave abnormalities are easier to detect when the brain is under distress - hence the sleep-deprived EEG.
The 24-hr ECG can also detect any heart arrhythmias that may be causing your symptoms. If positive, an echocardiogram or electrophysiologic studies can be considered for further cardiac evaluation.
I would also consider a sleep study if the tests continue to be non-revealing.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
The 24-hr ECG can also detect any heart arrhythmias that may be causing your symptoms. If positive, an echocardiogram or electrophysiologic studies can be considered for further cardiac evaluation.
I would also consider a sleep study if the tests continue to be non-revealing.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Member Comments
by LukeL, Apr 30, 2006 12:00AM
While I am not a doctor the symptoms you describe while drifitng off to sleep sound like sleep parlysis, which is a harmless, but a very scary condition. If you google it you will find 100s of pages on this very common disorder.
