I was wondering if anyone out there had ever been diagnosed with pseudoseizures? Did they treat you like you were crazy?
Background: I was admitted into the hospital last week because I passed out and had convulsions multiple times. I even had them in the ER and the doctors seemed to just ignore it. They ran every test you could imagine (CT scan, Xray, MRI, MRA, EEG, EKG, ECG) and said they all looked normal, so I must have just been having pseudo seizures. When they discharged me, they referred me for a psych evaluation for postpartum depression. I don't feel depressed, my son is an incredibly easy baby and is usually happy. Plus he is 6 mos old. I would have thought that postpartum would have struck sooner if it was that. Not only that but while I was in the hospital I overheard the nurses in the hall talking about the "seizure" girl in my room #. It was like they had already decided I was crazy. Are all doctors going to just treat me like I'm a crazy? Is there any way to avoid being labeled before I go see another doctor? I'm really scared about all of this because my own mother went through something similar for several years with them just telling her it was psychosomatic until eventually she lost the use of the left side of her body and they finally told her she has dystonia. Am I heading toward that?
Any advice or experiences would be helpful.
Please seek some alternative help! I would really recommend trying some energy modalities. You might look for Cranial Sacral therapy or Polarity therapy. I believe either of these will be helpful.
A.,
Acupuncture is a great alternative to western methods when western methods are failing. More subtle or unusual symptoms boggle the mind of western docs and often waste a lot of time. It can be very effective and you will find the bedside manner of these practitioners very different. They have to spend time interviewing and closely examining your individual situation. It's much more thorough and simply a better approach to chronic or unusual issues. If it wasn't for acupuncture, I may not have ever had the opportunity to become pregnant and experience the incredible gift of my 10 month old baby girl that I have now. Best of luck. Feel free to contact me for recommendations on how to find a DOM (Dr. of oriental medicine) if you are interested. Best of luck!
You need to contact the head of that hospital and make a complaint about them talking about you like that - and the doctors seeming to ignore your symptoms as they occurred in the ER - be specific about names if you can - and if they don't treat you with respect you might seek a lawsuit for negligence or malpractice - as far as the issue you are having I would suggest seeking the services of a neurologist (someone who specializes in the brain and seizure disorders) and a naturopath - pharmaceuticals can cause these sort of "side effects" so if you are on any kind of medication check the warnings on it and seek an alternative - also try to balance your systems using whole raw foods and herbs - and look into some deep tissue massage therapy - if you want some specifics as to the most potent herbs in the world - and I have tried a lot of brands but never felt anything or seen results until eating these - feel free to contact me for more information - but in the meantime make sure to take action against that hospital - people who work in places like that tend to mistreat others on a regular basis and when it becomes commonplace, abusive or gossipy it has gone too far.
Hi A. -
It is hard to predict whether you will experience the same thing your mother experienced. Did you tell the doctors that your mother went through the same thing? Many medical doctors believe that if their tests can't find a physical cause, the condition is in the head. Even if it is a "psych" condition, there is a cause behind it. Spend some time thinking about what was going on in your life at the time of the initial seizure. Also, postpardum depression isn't necessarily the same type of depression where you sit around and mope all day (I'm not trying to put anyone down that has this condition, just looking for a short descriptive). The hormones of a pregnant woman and a woman who has recently given birth are similar to a roller coaster. This could be behind the seizures.
It is hard to give any more information without a full medical history. Don't give up and if the condition persists, consider seeing a naturopath or other holistic health practitioner for another opinion.
Blessings,
M. M. Ernsberger
Certified Clinical Herbalist
Certified Hypnotherapist
Certified Life Coach
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Your Journey To Wellness - Which Path Will You Take?
It is definitely time for a second opinion! I could tell you stories of my friends and family that were told their conditions were in their heads (by professionals and specialists) just to have one Dr. finally take the time to look at one thing, usually right in plain sight- and fix the problem! I completely agree with the woman who said educate yourself by going to many different sites to get a well-rounded view of these conditions. From my friends who have experienced it, postpartum is something they felt was happening to them and they were relieved to have it diagnosed and their families were not surprised to hear it at all. If what those Dr. told you doesn't feel right and you aren't convinced, make another appointment with another Dr. - I would go to my OB/GYN first to talk about the postpartum but I would start asking around for neurologist that other people I trust would trust. Stay in the drivers seat, don't let words they throw out scare you. If they don't explain it to you well enough for you to be comfortable, tell them and ask them to do so again. You are paying them for a service, get it. My friends and family would still think they were crazy if they hadn't been so persistant. God Bless and stay strong!
I was also diagnosed with pseudoseizures and I went through the exact thing you are going through. I was in in the hospital for more than a year flying around the world and everybody said the same thing. And I wasn't depressed until I started havig them and it is extremley depressing especially with all the doctors and everybody around you calling you crazy and a faker.. but I did come across a wonderful doctor in Phoenix, Arizona named doctor Harold Ricate and what he did for me was he put in a LP shunt and also a resivour both to drain the extra seribral spinal fluid. And it helped for a while.
Hi A.
If they did all the tests and they all showed up negative, the I highly recommend getting your neck evaluated by a good chiropractor. I have treated many patients with seizures over the last 14 yrs. and have helped most of them... No, I don't think you are crazy, hehehehehe.....
Anyhow, if interested, call me / email me and I will see what I can do for you...
Have a great day
Farid R., DC
____@____.com
A.,
I would recommend you see a neurologist. Seizures are VERY REAL and can occur for a variety of reasons. I had seizures when I was young and was diagnosed with a seizure disorder but not epilepsy. Fortunately, I have been seizure free since 1990 but I do take a lose dose med as a precaution.
You are not crazy. See a specialist.
Hang in there.
L.
Find someone who will take your family history into account and take you seriously. That is so sad to be stigmatized so soon. Where are the "helping Professionals" when we need them?!
Any support groups for dystonia out there? Maybe they can recommend a doctor.
I know insurance does not pay for alternative doctors or treatments...but you may end up looking for help there. Biochemical imbalances can do weird stuff...they say carpel tunnel can be helped with vitamin B-6...and that is a nerve and inflammation problem. Be cautious though...as alternative practitioners can be sort of isolated and stuck on their own interpretation of things. Ever seen the flick "Lorrenzo's Oil" ...a heroic story of investigation and healing on the part of a "layperson". I guess what I am saying is you may need to become your own expert.
Hi A.!
That is a really terrible ER experience and not the first time I have heard of such behavior of medical staff. I agree that you should contact your OB and a neurologist to get further recommendations. I also think that if you feel up to it, and maybe when you have more info on your condition, you could contact the admin at the hosptial where you were seen and let them know that you did not appreciate being treated like a mental case, and truly, mental issues should also not be treated by medical personnel like the person is just a waste of their time because it's all in his or her head! Just make sure to mention your family history to all the doctors that you see so they can know that in advance. Since you are single, it is a good idea to make sure you have good support like family or friends to help you as your baby grows. With my kids every one wanted to babysit when the child was still an infant, but I found that when I could really use a break, like when they were two, no one was interested in babysitting :). Good luck!
-Jen
A., what I would do if I were in your shoes is call my ob/gyn and make an appt to go see them. Tell them what you just told us and see what they have to say. They see postpartum every day...if this is a symptom they will know. Also, I would do a lot of research on dystonia, Pseudoseizures and postpartum depression...dont just go to one website but to many and look up all of the symptoms...find discussion forums, etc. This is the best form of educating yourself. Never take the 1st diagnosis you get...especially with something that serious. This is your life their dealing with and no one has your best interest at heart more than you do!!
I used to work at Mayo as a nurse in neurology. The unit there specialized in detirmining if seizures are psuedo or not. So many Dr's are WAY to quick to blame it one that. most times, it can not be dertirimined unless they actually capture you having a seizure WHILE you are having a seizure and hooked up to an EEG machine. They cannot tell 100% by just a random EEG. sometimes PG hormones can stir up stuff and cause seizures to start. I would Def. be getting a second oppinion hun! I am sorry you are going through this.
Don't let anyone make you feel like your crazy-call Mayo and try and see their Neuro Dr- they are the best and deal just with this type of stuff! hang in there!
First of all find a doctor who will listen to you. Make sure they know your mothers complete history and find a neuro specialist. Most emergency doctors can act like morons because they are primarily there to treat and street. Do not play around with this. I started having symptoms with my illness when I was 15. The first comments were along the lines of you just have a lazy teenager on your hands, all the way to your daughter has to see a psychiatrist because she needs altering meds.... I have a very debilitating neuro musculatory disease that finally got diagnosed when I was 27. Don't let them push you around. EVER!
I have Pseudo Seizures. Yes, I understand what you went throu. Medation really dose help and alot of relaxing I know that there is not much time with having children. I have 2 of my own,12 & 13. You will need to find the source of when they stared and why. There are ways to get rid of them with therapy I wish you the best of luck.
I am sorry for your difficulties. I would go ahead and go to the psychiatrist. I know that they prescribe anti-seizure medication too so maybe he or she would be better at diagnosing what was wrong and ruling out ppd. You might also think about seeing a specialist in a bigger city that has wider experience--sometimes the hospital you go to matters.
:)
