Focal seizure or sleep paralysis
Would love some feedback on an episode I had last night…. Have a doctors apt set on Monday. I’ve had encounters of sleep paralysis my whole life due to stress from an abusive home, as I’m now and adult living on my own they are rare.But do come if I’m very sleep deprived or filled with anxiety (I also only have them when laying on my back) I am a mom of a 9 month old and have experienced one since giving birth. Last night my child woke up around 1 so I brought him into bed to feed, while I was laying on my side I got this overwhelming feeling like I was about to have a sleep paralysis episode. My whole body went rigid and I couldn’t move. They typically last for a few minutes or sooner if I can get a body part to move. But last night felt different, they usually come with a huge spike of fear or dread and I’m frozen. But as I was laying on my side breastfeeding my child I had sudden pressure in my left ear like someone was forcing air into it and all focus went to it. Almost like I was getting zapped and everything was pinned to my left ear. It was a large anmount of force and was kind of painful. During this my face started jerking. Because I had no control of my muscles I couldn’t stop it but I was aware of that and my eyes twitching. It then went away and happened twice more in the span of 60 seconds, both the ear and involuntary jerking of my head. I’d say the jerking and feeling paralyzed happened for about 30seconds to a few minutes. I’ve never had pressurized ear pain or jerking of head movements while in sleep paralysis. It felt strange and right away my body felt wrong. I’m wondering if maybe it was a focal seizure since I’ve read that sometimes they can resemble each other with the not being able to move. After the episode occurred I had control of my limbs (i think) but was almost in a comatose state of just rapidly moving my eyes across the room trying to almost “bring me back into my body”. Right after I thought I had a seizure, and now researching it online I’m wondering if this isn’t my first time. I do have a dissociative disorder, but I experience a lot of Deja vu as well as “dissociative states”. Today I feel very out of body and out of it. I’m unsure if it is from exhaustion or the possibility of that episode actually being a seizure. I do get a lot of random spikes of anxiety or the feeling of dropping in a rollercoaster but can function through if I focus. Does this sound like something somebody with focal seizures has experienced? Again, not looking for a diagnosis or medical advice as I do have an apt on Monday. Just wanting to see if someone can relate
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Hi @tomatogirl234
First, welcome to this group at Connect.
I'm truly sorry to hear about the difficult experiences you've been through.
Based on your description—particularly staying aware during the episodes—I wonder if you might be experiencing PNES (psychogenic non-epileptic seizures), also known as FND (functional neurological disorder).
I had my first experience with these seizures last August and I also remained conscious throughout them.
I'd like to share two resources that helped me better understand this condition and may be helpful to you as well:
- Mayo Clinic Connect Discussion
Have nonepileptic seizures/psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES)?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/non-epileptic-seizures-or-pnes/
- Epilepsy Foundation
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures
https://www.epilepsy.com/diagnosis/imitators-epilepsy/psychogenic-nonepileptic-seizures
It might be worth discussing PNES/FND seizures with your doctor at your Monday appointment.
Do you remember whether your eyes were open or closed during the episodes? In PNES/FND, eyes are typically closed, while in epileptic seizures, they're usually open.
I hope your appointment goes well and provides you with the answers and clarity you're looking for!
Chris
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