Panic attacks or seizure?

[nh934]

Hi

For the past 2 years I have been having these "attacks" on and off, sometimes I go a while without one and other times I seem to have a few in a short period of time.

GP/MH thinks panic attacks, but I have a suspicion they could be some sort of non epileptic seizure and wondered if anyone had any experience.

I'm on 200mg of sertraline and doesn't seem to be helping, they still come.

They come from nowhere, I'm not thinking, panicking or feeling anxious about anything in particular they just seem to hit when I least expect it.

From what I can recall I start feeling like I'm having an out of body experience, like I'm not really there. My fingers start tingling, progressing up my arms, my legs go too, it all begins to full numb and heavy. I can feel nauseous, sick and sweaty. Sometimes I'm physically sick other times not.

The intense part can last anywhere from 5-15 mins, I often feel shaky for a while after one.

If anyone can help that would be great.

It could well be. Seizures come in many forms, whether epileptic or non epileptic. The dissociation at the start is something associated with PNES.

Both PNES and epilepsy are notoriously difficult to diagnose. I would recommend seeking a referral to a neurologist, and building up as much of a body of evidence you can in the meantime - a diary of when it happens, detailed account of each incident to spot patterns / changes, eye witness accounts, video if at all possible. this is how I finally got my epilepsy diagnosis (after eleven years). Interestingly I was previously misdiagnosed with PNES. I managed to get access to a “neuropsychologist” who had specialist training in talking therapy to treat PNES.

Best of luck with it - unfortunately the road to diagnosis can be long and difficult but being able to give the neurologist as much information as possible really helped me.

Non epileptic seizures are still a result of stress or anxiety ,so whether or not it’s any help as a diagnosis I’m not sure ? Have you any trauma history that has led to dissociative episodes? See https://www.sth.nhs.uk/clientfiles/File/pd3922_NonEpilepticSeizures.pdf

however OP@nh934 has your Dr ever suggested trying a different med than Sertaline . Although it’s commonly used for panic disorder/ depression with anxiety, some people conversely can find it doesn’t help their anxiety.

Thanks both, really helpful.

I suppose maybe the diagnosis doesn't matter. Something is happening to me and I just want an answer.

I am seeing GP again tomorrow.

I do have an extensive history of trauma.

The other thing I have happen on occasion, is some sort of sleep paralysis- where I feel that I am awake, but cannot move? I know these aren't dreams as I can see my phone next to me, see messages popping up for example but I simply cannot move at all to grab my phone, it's very scary.

@nh934 i don’t know if you have ever had any sort of therapy for your trauma but sometimes people need to have a body centred therapy ( rather than Cbt ) that actually allows the trauma to be released safely…as it is , your body is trying to tell you something is wrong which is inherently scary and can feel life threatening even though it’s not ! It’s like a trapped fight/ flight or freeze response so even though your mind may be like “ I’m fine” your body is saying listen.

Thanks. I've had CBT which didn't help.