Worried about issues with flashing lights and sounds

OK this is going to be a long story!

Years ago I started to have problems with flashing lights.
I'd jump back as if shocked if I saw flashing lights. Then I'd get this weird pressure / pain in the top of my head. It felt like my head was going to implode, not explode though!
I coped with it by just screwing my eyes up tight if I saw flashing lights.
That got me through for a while.
Then, a few years ago I had a period where I was having blackouts.
Not from flashing lights, I was just getting the same pressure / pain in the top of my head and then blacking out.
But I could kind of hear people after it... I think I'd be out for a little time, and then people thought I was out, but I could kind of hear them, but I couldn't move, but I'd be shaking a bit, and it was like listening to people in another room, like they were really far off or something and I'd tense up and shake a bit.
(Being vaguely awake actually got me insulted by a paramedic - she said I wasn't being helpful or trying to talk to her, but I could only kind of see and hear her and I just needed to curl up into a ball!)
I ended up in hospital after one of these blackouts and they did a CT scan of my brain and said it was all normal. They thought it might be a gland in the top of my head, but the scan showed it was clear.
I started to get problems with 'flashing' sounds as well.
I'll try to describe what happens with the lights and the sounds.
It feels like my brain suddenly tries to keep up with the on and the off. So when the sound / light is on, it lurches forwards, and then the sound / light goes off and it lurches back again. And it just can't cope with going backwards and forwards.
That sounds so weird, but that's the way it is!
It only happens at certain frequencies though; if the sound / light gets too fast, my brain just ignores it. Like something being too close to your eyes, you just give up trying to focus.
It's so much worse with two independent sources though, and frequencies aren't as easy on me then.
Say if there's two different sources of flashing lights at different frequencies, my brain just goes nuts, straight into the pain/pressure thing and I seize up and twitch a bit.
I have to close my eyes really tightly.
Same if there's a 'flashing' sound and a flashing light, or two 'flashing' sounds.

I have fibromyalgia and dyspraxia, and I have major sensory issues as a result, so at first I just thought it was that.
However... I'm bipolar, and I've been on Epilim for nearly a year, and it all went away.
I could look at flashing lights without a problem, and watched loads of anime with loads of flashing lights and was really happy at not having to look away for some scenes.

But... my psychiatrist and I have decided to change the Epilim for Seroquel because I'm physically disabled and can't exercise much, and the Epilim has caused me to gain a lot of weight.
And now I'm off it, I'm so much worse than before!
It's not even flashing lights - just something being on screen and off again regularly (like in anime / cartoons because they just reuse the frames to 'flash' things). It sets me off horribly!
And a game I play online called Eve Online is a game where you pilot a space ship, and going into warp is setting me off and that's not flashy, it's just got a warp effect coming at you so it changes too frequently for me.

I'm really worried that I was on an epilepsy anti-convulsant and it stopped my problems, and now I'm off it again, I'm really, really bad.
Does this mean I have epilepsy?
I'm going to see my GP on Monday about it, but I've had an MRI scan of my brain earlier this year and they said nothing was wrong.

Does what I've described sound like epilepsy?
It's so difficult to describe what's happening... people say your brain can't feel things, but it really feels like my brain's going nuts and I feel like I'm going to pass out or that my whole body is going to get out of control and the twitches will get worse and everywhere.

Nicola

Hi there,

Some of what you describe sounds like epilepsy and if Epilim solved the problem, im not sure why your psychiatrist took you off it! Have you had an EEG done? Like Carla, im not sure that I have a firm answer for you but I wanted to respond to let you know that I am thinking about you and that I am here for you if you ever need someone to talk to.

Darren

Nicola,

I noticed you also have asthma.  So do I.  I have gained about 70 lbs. from Prednisone, so I hear what you are saying about the weight gain.  I don't have a choice, though.  It's take it or not breathe.  I sort of like breathing.

I definitely think you need to get your situation checked out.  It sounds like something is going on, I don't know what.  Keep us posted.

Take care!

Carla

highland_wolf & djonma,

I would suggest you both see a neurologist and tell them what you have told us. You both sound like there is something amiss and that should be checked out sooner rather than later before it becomes a larger problem.

Stay Strong & Be Happy!

Darren

  I also agree with Darren, but in the meantime:

 ~ Try to stay away from Casinos (with the noise and flashing lights)

 ~ Re: computer games: See if you can use a L E D Flatscreen monitor. There is no glare whatsoever and no bright flashing lights, very soft on the eyes.

 ~ EEG,MRI, all comming back normal: sometimes the seizure condition is burried deep within the brain and the EEG and MRI can't pick it up, and it could also stay dormant deep in the brain for several years and then, something triggers it, then your seizures can become active again or maybe you'll only have one.

This is my own opinion only from 30 years of EP experience.

Randy

Well I found out I was having a severe reaction to the Zonegran. The sucker did not tell me it was Sulfa..which I am allergic to. I had a huge rash all over my face..looked like I was in a fire.The black fireman's face..He said oh..go to ER..I said I ain't dumb..I stopped it when it happened..only good thing he has done is Relpax.. ;)

I am considering going to Barnes-Jewish Hosp in St.Louis..I know of a great neurologist there..IF he's still there..Dr. Dowling..

Im glad to hear you know what the problem is now HighlandWolf. At least you know what you were fighting! The neuro in St.Louis sound like a good idea. If Dr. Dowling isnt there anymore, see if you can trace him to another hospital... Perhaps he works in a hospital locally?