Deja vu and weird feelings

Hello all, I am writing today to let you know that I had the brain MRI 3 weeks ago and it showed nothing too concerning other than a typically aging brain. (I am 72 years old.). This is very much a relief however I still get these strange episodes every so often. I have been away since before Christmas but when I return home I am to schedule an EEG. Perhaps I will learn something more (?).
Again, thank you for your very appreciated support.

Hi @lindsayv05
Welcome to our Connect group! I'm glad you found us here.
Your description of auras really resonates with me. As a teenager, when my hormonal changes began, I experienced very similar symptoms. My episodes were very brief. I now understand these were simple partial seizures, also called focal aware seizures.
It's quite common for women to experience more seizures around their menstrual cycle, which is known as catamenial epilepsy, which I also deal with. Working together, my epileptologist and gynecologist recommended either a Mirena IUD or continuous birth control pills (taken for 5 months without breaks). This approach has nearly eliminated my menstruation-related seizures. But, please discuss these options with both your doctor and a gynecologist, as the best approach may vary, especially for younger women.
I'm sharing a couple of helpful resources that explain this connection between seizures and hormonal changes in more detail:
Basics about Catamenial Epilepsy
https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/basics-about-catamenial-epilepsy
Menstruation as a Seizure Trigger
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-triggers/menstruation
It's wonderful that you're taking action on your epilepsy now. My experience was quite different. I went undiagnosed for over 3 decades until finally receiving the correct diagnosis in 2019 at age 48. During those years without proper treatment, my seizures evolved from simple auras to complex partial seizures (focal unaware seizures) and eventually progressed to tonic-clonic seizures (generalized seizures). Early recognition and treatment can make a difference in preventing epilepsy progression.
Has your doctor been able to determine your specific type of epilepsy yet?
I know you're just beginning treatment for your auras, and I'm hopeful it will bring you good results. Please keep me posted on how things go!
Chris

@annie394
Hi Annie!
First, my best wishes for 2026!
Thank you so much for sharing your MRI results. Epilepsy with structural changes in the brain is much harder to treat and control seizures. Thankfully, your MRI came out normal 🙏! I'm really happy for you—what great news to start the new year!
As I mentioned earlier, the EEG will show the electrical activity in your brain and may identify the area where your auras (focal seizures) originate. I say "may" because a single normal EEG doesn't always capture seizure activity during the test. This happened to me for decades—all my EEG tests showed normal results. The first EEG that revealed my epileptic electrical activity occurred when my doctor at that time instructed me to avoid sleeping or sleep as little as possible the night before the test.
Has your doctor given you any sleep deprivation instructions for your EEG? And are your auras now controlled, or are you still experiencing some?
Chris

@santosha no I have not been given any instructions regarding not sleeping. But I will ask the neurologist about this. Thank you for sharing your experience. It’s very enlightening. I am not on medication as of yet. But I have experienced these episodes about three times these past few weeks.

@annie394
Hi Annie,
Definitely check with your doctor about that.
Sleep deprivation can increase the chance of recording "epilepsy waves" during the test, as it's one of the most common seizure triggers. This practice helps enhance the diagnostic value of the EEG and may avoid more complex EEG tests.
Here's a link that might be useful:
What if my EEG was normal?
Epilepsy Foundation
https://www.epilepsy.com/diagnosis/eeg/what-if-its-normal
May your EEG be an enlightening test!
Chris

Hello all, I had the EEG yesterday. Results will not be ready for a couple of weeks. I will see the neurologist in a couple of weeks. Hopefully I will get some answers. Today alone I have had three episodes. They leave me a bit shaken. I am somewhat disconcerted about this. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Does it sound like temporal lobe epilepsy?

@annie394
welcome to the new year, i hate waiting on tests and especially weeks for results. doesn't matter what the test this day and technology . just wanted to say have a great 2026

@annie394
welcome to the new year, i hate waiting on tests and especially weeks for results. doesn't matter what the test this day and technology . just wanted to say have a great 2026