Is this normal?

[TheadReaper]

When there is a sudden flash of sunlight or if, say, I am in the car and the sun is shining between trees as we go past and it creates that bright flashing, I get this horrible 'freezing' moment. I don't know how to explain it really but it's like my sight/brain seizes up or something. This usually only happens with sunlight and it feels so weird and horrible, I have to physically turn my head away from the light to stop it.
Does anyone else get this?

My son can be affected by this - he does have epilepsy though - so I'm guessing that's the reason for him.

Yes, that's why I always thought it was so strange as I don't have epilepsy or any other issues that I can think of!

Not susceptible to migraines? Is it a recent thing or longer term?

No it's not new, I remember it happening in my teens a lot.
I used to suffer with headaches a lot through my teens but now usually only when I'm tired. Not migraines though

Nobody else? 😭

When you say you don't have epilepsy, have you actually been tested for it? Have you ever mentioned your symptoms to your GP?

I've never been tested but I have never had a seizure and don't have any other symptoms that I can think of. I've never mentioned it to my GP as I didn't really know what it was or how to describe it.

I am not a doctor, but a simple partial seizure can be as short as a couple of seconds and can just cause something as simple as a 'general strange feeling'. You remain awake and aware during it.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/epilepsy/symptoms/

While it might well be nothing, I think it would be worth mentioning it to your GP, particularly if it is happening while you are driving.

Thank you, that's very interesting! I have always wondered whether it was normal, I think I will make an appointment and see what they say.

Oh, reading that through I have remembered through my childhood I would regularly wake up in the night with an incredibly intense feeling of fear. I never knew what I was afraid of but it was a feeling of absolute dread.
And I always get that deja vu feeling very regularly too 🤔

Definitely worth getting checked out then!

Yes, I'm so glad I asked now! I had never really considered epilepsy as I had no idea there were those types of symptoms so thank you for linking me to the information @lemonjumper

I get ocular migraines - which are not unconnected to epilepsy. Same thing happens to me. Especially the flashy lights through the trees thing. A bit scary, but fine according to neurologist.

I had never heard of ocular migraines before, I will talk to my GP. Do you/can you take anything to stop them?

Just be aware that you may have to revoke your driving license if you have been havjng seizures, sorry

That's what I'm worried about now @UnderPompeii my partner and my mum both have medical conditions that require frequent hospital/dr trips and I'm usually the one who has to take them

@TheadReaper I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you. I am only aware of it as my DH had a seizure - he has a benign brain tumour which we knew nothing about - and couldn't drive for 18 months. I hope everything works out OK for you

Thank you @UnderPompeii don't be sorry I am grateful for you taking the time to share your experience
I'm sorry about your husbands health issues, I hope he is doing well.

@TheadReaper thank you, he's doing really well, he had 6 months of chemo and the tumour has shrunk, he's back driving and working, you wouldn't know anything was wrong. We were very very lucky. I have to say the NHS have been amazing too. Anyway I am sending very best wishes your way and hope you can get an answer soon.

@UnderPompeii- to answer your question about medication for ocular migraines, I have been prescribed Topiramate by my neurologist. There are other medications which I am unable to take as I have low blood pressure and they will lower it more. My ocular migraines are severe and frequent. You may not need medication. There are other symptoms attributed to ocular migraines, including the “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome” which you might find interesting to read about.

I get this - i am autistic and there is epilepsy in the family.

@justilou1 I think that was for OP @TheadReaper - useful info, I hope you are doing Ok.

Sorry - yes. Hadn't had enough coffee!!! All good!!! Thanks for pointing it out.

I would hazard a guess that this sounds like epilepsy to me too. Glad you're getting it checked out OP!

As others' have suggested, this could be photosensitive epilepsy (only about 3% of people with epilepsy are photosensitive). Is the freezing accompanied by any twitching/jerking/shaking? Do you experience the same symptoms with certain patterns, stripes and other flashing lights?

The only way to diagnose this is a referral via your GP to a neurologist for an EEG. I am photosensitive (diagnosed over 25 years ago when I was 15) and the medication I take has sorted the flashing light component of my epilepsy; brivaracetam is the most effective med for me. I've never been able to drive because I've never been seizure free for 1 year, but plenty of people have and do. It can help to cover one eye when this happens, but obviously not whilst driving!

Good luck, ThreadReaper, I hope this gets sorted quickly for you