Neurologist suspects siezure disorder?

[kscarletts]

I went to a neurologist yesterday after being referred by my family Dr.  I filled out all sorts of paperwork and worksheets and such, and after just looking at them he told me he strongly suspects epilepsy or another seizure disorder.  While I do lose time occasionally, or "space out" I thought that was pretty normal.  Doesn't everyone "space out" from time to time?  He set me up for tests that I will be having over the next couple of weeks, including an EEG an MRI and a sleep study.  He told me I was no longer legally able to drive until he cleared me to do so.  I have been driving for years (I'm 32) and never had a problem.  I have had "auras" from painless migraines, which just look like tv static or snow that completely covers my vision (I'm essentially blind as all i can see is this "static"), but it comes on gradually, and rarely at that.  I think the last time it happened (all the way across my vision anyway) was about a year and a half ago.  I vaguely remember getting an EEG when I was a young child - but as I have only a handful of memories from before the age of 15 or so, I don't have ANY details about it, and I dont think anything ever came of it.  For all I know I could have seen something like that on tv and dreamt it or something.  Anyway - I understand the not driving IF I do have a seizure disorder, and even waiting until I know for sure - I dont want to put myself, my family or anyone else on the road at risk, BUT - my question is, If I had seizures - wouldn't I know it?  Wouldn't someone else around me know it at the very least?  I do get this intense shaking feeling inside every once in a while, but my family Dr. told me it was anxiety, which totally makes sense to me, at least more sense than seizures.  I am very naive about seizures, I know my mom had a grand mal seizure when I was 9 in the middle of the supermarket that freaked me smooth out, but as I no longer have contact with her (and havent for several years) I can't really get any info from her.  I am an only child, so no brothers or sisters to ask, and the neurologist wants my "birth history" and family history on her side.  Which makes me even more nervous, as to me at least, this indicates that its genetic, and I'm worried about my kids now on top of everything else.  Is it possible to have a seizure disorder and not know it?  Is it possible that it happens in my sleep?  I have woken up several times in the last few months curled up in the fetal position with all my muscles holding my pillow close to me as tight as i possibly can.  My husband (who no longer sleeps in the same bed as me) says that I used to just hit hit and punch him in my sleep, which I dont remember doing.  Is that why they are doing a sleep study?  He also mentioned sleep apnea, but after thinking more, I wonder if he is also looking for something else?  I know I don't sleep well at night, but seizures?  I guess I'm just having a hard time believing I could have a seizure disorder and not know it.  Does this add up to anyone else?  Any input or ideas?
Thanks in advance!
-Scarlett

[Satori1952]

After reading what you had to say I can relate to much of your experience. I had no idea that I had a seizure disorder until I went through a sleep study that showed I had severe complex sleep apnea, which means some of my apnea is obstructive and some is because I just stop breathing. Anyway, the C-PaP I use has helped me a lot. But, in the study, because I was monitored with an EEG they discovered that I have the seizure disorder. I knew very little about seizures. I was having what is called simple partial seizures - my dx was Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, I could be having a seizure and no one around me would know it. All I knew was that I would have very strange feelings, see things others did not see, smell things others did not, hear odd sounds that others don't and have odd feelings in my body or head. Once when I was under a tremendous amount of stress I had one that caused me to not know who I was or why I was were I was, it lasted only seconds, but it was not pleasant.  Sleep deprivation can make seizures worse for those of us with the disorder, but I was told by my neurologist it won't cause them.

After finding this out and researching seizures it explained so much of what has been happening to me from from childhood to now. I am currently on Trileptal (450 mg per day), I am doing well on this medication. In December I will have another EEG to see how it looks. By the way, I have very few memories of my childhood as well, I was also told that is typical with epileptics.

I guess what it boils down to, is yes you can have a seizure disorder and not realize it. I hope you find the answers you need. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sherry