How long can temporal lobe epileptic seizures last?

[Clueless in Seattle]

A few years back I began experiencing very strange, dream-like episodes characterized by an overwhelming sense of deja vu, an overpowering rush of highly emotionally charged thoughts and feelings that felt like a dam had burst in my mind, a strong feeling of dread, an inability to remember my own phone number or the name of my doctor, and other strange and disturbing characteristics.  These episodes will last for hours and leave me so drained that I spend the next few days napping throughout the day, and feeling emotionally dead and empty and even suicidally depressed.

I surmised that these episodes might be some kind of epileptic seizures, so I did some searching on the web.  I found many descriptions of temporal lobe seizures that seemed to very closely resembled what I had experienced.  But when I went to see a neurologist at the University of Washington Medical Center he told me that temporal lobe epileptic seizures last only a few seconds, so that could not be what I was experiencing.  He even scolded me quite sternly for even presuming to ask him if my episodes could be temporal lobe epilepsy.  He said it was his job as the neurologist to apply diagnostic labels not mine, and that my job as the patient was only to report to him my symptoms, not to guess at self diagnoses based on what I read on the internet.

However, be that as it may, he offered me no diagnosis, and told me that what I was experiencing did not fit into any known neurological classification.

In the intervening years I have continued to experience these debilitating episodes and have noticed that they only occur during the spring and summer when I take an antihistamine for my allergies.  So, perhaps, if I can find an alternative to antihistmines for my allergy symptoms, I may not have to suffer these disorienting and disabling episodes.

But that still leaves the question unanswered:  What *are* these episodes called?  They certainly seem to be neurological.  So, if they are not temporal lobe seizures, what are they?

Also, is there some kind of regimen of vitamins, supplements or foods that I could take following these episodes to help me get over the days of physical and emotional exhaustion that I experience in their aftermath?  I suffered one of these seizures a few days ago and still feel as if the stuffing has been knocked out of me.

Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"

[Quixotic1]

I am not a neurologist, but a retired physician.  I have heard people on this forum mention episodes VERY similar to yours.  I also have had very brief episodes with some of those features, that I have blessedly outgrown.

First, my new mantra:

Blow off any Dr. that blows you off!!!
What an A**!  Full of himself, no?  You deserve better.  We all do.

Did you have febrile seizures as a young child or baby?  Is there a family hisotry of migraine or seizures?  Do you have any neurologic disorders?

My reading on temporal lobe seizures now called Partial or Partial Complex (depending on whether there is loss of consciousnness) indeed does describe a duration of seconds to a couple minutes.  Partail Complex can have an "after effect" called the post-ictal phase, which can last up to 30 minutes.  Any seizure lasting more than 30 minutes is serious and called "status eptilepticus."  I gathered (but am not sure) that even Partial seizures can occur in "Status."

That said, there are some very interesting variants of migraine (which can occur with and without headache)  that are difficult to distinguish from temporal lobe, frontal lobe or Partial seizures.  These can last much longer.

You need to find a neurologist to evaluate these episodes.  You probably shouldn't bring up words like "I think..." or "internet.." but say you are worried by how long they last and whether it might be a form of migraine or seizure disorder.  Don't try to treat them yourself until you get a proper evealuation with a doctor that actually listens to you, complete neuro exam, and probably an EEG.

Good luck.  Come back and tell us if you get any answers.  Quix

[audi131]

I too have had some similiar "attacks" as you will.. i am totally confused because i have seen a neurologist who did an MRI and EEG and told me both have come back fine... i hate these "attacks" i have because i feel out of it but are still able to hold a conversation and drive during them... i do feel shaky and nausea, but no headache... i have suffered from migraines in the past ... the funny part of all this is that i have been suffering from lightheadedness and dizziness on/off... scary...since january of 2008 when i had my first episode of dizziness... i do have allergy symtoms and take a antihistamine.. especially now that i have had the dizziness which is very scary... it is bothering me alot because i am afraid every day of experiencing these "attacks" and also the dizziness.. so needless to say i live in fear and it is exhausting worrying everyday... i wish i could have some diagnosis and some answers... it is affecting my daily living and i am afraid to stray far from home or work... its holding me back from progressing in my career and experiencing things in life... HELP!!!

[Karen0408]

I have bee diagnosed with left temporal lobe seizures.  Before I started medication I was very dizzy and lightheaded at times as well as very sleepy.  There are times when I can't tell what road I am on when I am driving home from work.  My lightheadness comes in a form I refer to as my "whoop de doos".  It's like standing up to fast with all the blood rushing from my head except that it stays with me and I don't recover.  Frequently the weakness and dizziness comes and I feel like the floor is coming up at me or my knees are giving out and I'm falling when I'm not.  Sometimes it gets worse and I will have outward seizure symptons where my body feels like lead weight and I can't lift my arms or move my legs.  Sometimes I cry a copious amount of tears that just flood out of my eyes (once it looked like someone had poured a glass of water on me).  I remain aware of everything around me.  This lasts just a minute or two but the afterward effects can last a couple of hours or the rest of the day.  I am completely weak and exhausted.  

You need to be careful with the driving.  I thought I was just tired in the mornings on my way to work until one day while stopped at a red light, thankfully with my foot on the brake, I passed out.  It felt more like I just fell asleep.  There was no warning.  I awoke to the car behind me honking and my head was laying on my shoulder, completely limp and very heavy.  All of the traffic ahead of me was long gone.

My seizures are under control now with Trileptal.  I tried Lamictal but it gave me even greater seizures.  The drug experimentation if difficult on the body and head.

Don't accept no for an answer, get more professional opinions.  It turns out that I have had some form of these seizures for over 20 years before I knew what they were.