Little advice required

this is my first post on here.

Right I have had about eight seizures so far and the last one when they took me in the diagnosed me with epilepsy and the doctors I found were abismal because in the past they have put the episodes down as funny turns and not fits because of the complications it can cause if the diagnosis turns out to be wrong. I have given my driving licence up for 6 months already. The seizures started in June this year and it went 3 months before I had another. The common factor seems to be sleep related and stress because sometimes I only have 2-3 hrs sleep a night. They usually happen after Ive had a doctors/hospital appointment which means only a couple of hours sleep and then up early for the appointment. I have had numerous tests CT scan, ECG, EEG and the EEG said it showed no Epileptic activity. People have mentioned pseudo seizures or anxiety attacks. The way I usuallly go is I feel very sick first then my ears start ringing and I have been told I dont jerk just go a bit stiff. I do bite my tongue but sometimes its just a nip. After it I just feel as if somebody has woke me up from sleep and sometimes a bit confused but not that bad - I mean I can't be that confused because it was me that noticed the ambulance had taken the wrong turn to the hospital. I have never slept very well throughout my life and have had these sickly feelings even when I was at school and it was usually after a late night I had them - now could it be the sleep causing this and if so why have I only started having the seizures at 33. They put me on medication until I have seen my GP but I don't want to be taking medication for nothing because all the other doctors at the hospital have said it doesn't look like epilepsy - more like anxiety attacks brought on by worry and stress. I have been referred to a Neurologist in the new year but will probably go private knowing the waiting time with the NHS. Im just annoyed the way the doctors seem to diagnose without any real conclusive proof because if the EEG said it showed Epileptic activity I could understand - I mean how is it usually diagnosed.

I have also had an initial meeting with a pshycologist who says the ears ringing is a common thing with an anxiety attack

Post Edited (Rg1) : 12/22/2008 12:59:44 AM (GMT-7)

The Consultant  that saw me on the day I was in said it sounded like a mild form but again you just see the one thats on duty and not one that specialises in it.

The main thing that's annoyed me is the fact that the NHS just hand out tablets like smarties (Tegretol 200mg) without a proper investigation into it. I know it sounds stupid but my trigger seems to be doctors because Ive always seen a doctor either on the day or the day before of me having one.

Post Edited (Rg1) : 12/24/2008 3:42:19 AM (GMT-7)

Hi Rg1, My son has epilepsy.  He didn't have his first seizure until he was 19.  His neurologist said he probably was born with it but the seizures didn't present themselves until later.  He went on dilantin for 12 yrs and was almost seizure free, with just a few occuring.  about 4 yrs ago his seizures went out of control.  I found a new neurologist and he did many tests and put my son on 3 different meds.  He has a yearly EEG and they never show any seizure activity.  Only once did he have an EEG when he was having a seizure.  You need to see a neurologist that specializes in epilepsy.  I don't know how the system works in the UK but that would be my recommendation to get an expert on diagnosing epilepsy.  The one thing my son's neurologist told him was that sleep is very important to keep from having seizures.  And staying calm and not stressing yourself.  You need at least 8 hrs of sleep each night. You have to try to keep yourself calm and stay away from any situation or anyone who causes you stress. But the key to staying seizure free is to get a lot of rest at night. I hope I have been of some help to you.

Aurora