[Yaakova]

Whew!

So I've recently been diagnosed with the following:

An anxiety/panic bit of some sort
Dissasociative Identity Disorder
Sleep apnea and terrible dreams.

I also get Deja Vu quite frequently. (It usually scares me, because when I was younger I had the theory that deja vu meant you had to be extra careful because life was giving you a second chance at something you begged for, so deja vu was your warning that it was your second time around. I'm older now but still!)

SO!!

The doc mentioned klonopin once and then my regular pdoc said it could be an option after the Xanax is tapered and Celexa has fully kicked in if Celexa hadn't worked or blablablabla. (Donno why, but I have a serious aversion to the idea of Celexa.) Going to get the Rx for Celexa today, and that's gonna take awhile.

The reason why I am asking is because everything I've mentioned up there is (save anxiety) associated with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Klonopin is also perscribed for anxiety, as it is a benzo that affects the CNS, but I was curious :: perk :: if I have TLE, do you think the Klonopin could help with all of this?

This post has been edited by joyann: 27 November 2006 - 11:05 AM

[Sunshine]

Joyann,

I think you might get a better response to this question on the epilepsy board. I just sent a request to the mods to move it there. In the meantime, you might want to check out that board to see if there's any info on the use of benzos with the treatment of epilepsy.

Good luck!

~Sunshine

[Breeze]

Meanwhile, back at the board you posted on:

I take Klonopin for anxiety. It works well. I recently found out that it's also good for epilepsy. So, yes this might be a double-your-fun med that will do good things for you.

As for deja vu. I found your young theory interesting. I have them often. But I think differently. In any event, don't be afraid of this, but if it happens often, perhaps write down the occurrence, and then why you thought this had happened before. Maybe you'll find a connection.

Good luck with all your "stuff".

Also, Nuerontin is good for anxiety and I believe epilepsy. But again, I don't know that much about epilepsy.

Breeze

[AirMarshall]

I have the feeling that you are trying to rope way too many disorders into one corral.

Klonopin is a benzo, like xanax, and is helpful for anxiety/panic disorders. Many doctors seem to prefer it for long term use. Benzos are not the answer to any anxiety disorder. They provide symptom relief, but have dependency tendancies, though some people do seem to take them long term. Finding meds like antidepressants that get to the underlying problem are important.

Benzos do help suppress some epilepsies. I'm not sure that it would rx'd as a primary treatment. I'll leave it to others to address that.

Sleep apnea can be either obstructive (airway) which is common or central (brain disordered) which is much less common. Apnea can cause nightmares because it is continually disrupting the sleep cycle. Benzos have muscle relaxant properties, which exacerbates airway collapse and therefore ideally would not be used for those with obstructive sleep apnea. However, if a cpap is used benzos may be used if they don't adversely affect you. With successful treatment of apnea, you can expect significant improvement in sleep quality. I don't have any first hand info on central apnea. I don't think benzos would a sigficant problem, because the relaxant properties are not a factor. Bilevel machines are used with timed backup.

DID is a personality disorder and medications are not effective in treating them, so klonopin would not be appropriate.

Deja Vu is believed to be a defect of the memory recall process, so klonopin would not be appropriate.

a.m.

[Maddy]

I'd recommend you see a neurologist.
Have you brought up your TLE concerns with your GP?
Considering your myriad disorders Deja Vu would not be considered out of place regarding your symptoms. It's like a layer cake, each layer = your symptoms. (I'm just throwing the anxiety in for icing for effect.)

anxiety (icing)
HYPNOGOGIA (layer of cake)
anxiety (icing)
SLEEP APNEA (layer of cake)
anxiety (icing)
DEJA VU (layer of cake)
anxiety (icing)
DID (Layer of cake)

The best thing to do is to bring your concerns to your doctor. If you have a hard time verbalizing them like I do, write them down. I'm not above that. Talking is over-rated anyway.

[Yaakova]

AirMarshall, on Nov 27 2006, 06:59 PM, said:

I have the feeling that you are trying to rope way too many disorders into one corral.

Klonopin is a benzo, like xanax, and is helpful for anxiety/panic disorders. Many doctors seem to prefer it for long term use. Benzos are not the answer to any anxiety disorder. They provide symptom relief, but have dependency tendancies, though some people do seem to take them long term. Finding meds like antidepressants that get to the underlying problem are important.

Benzos do help suppress some epilepsies. I'm not sure that it would rx'd as a primary treatment. I'll leave it to others to address that.

Sleep apnea can be either obstructive (airway) which is common or central (brain disordered) which is much less common. Apnea can cause nightmares because it is continually disrupting the sleep cycle. Benzos have muscle relaxant properties, which exacerbates airway collapse and therefore ideally would not be used for those with obstructive sleep apnea. However, if a cpap is used benzos may be used if they don't adversely affect you. With successful treatment of apnea, you can expect significant improvement in sleep quality. I don't have any first hand info on central apnea. I don't think benzos would a sigficant problem, because the relaxant properties are not a factor. Bilevel machines are used with timed backup.

DID is a personality disorder and medications are not effective in treating them, so klonopin would not be appropriate.

Deja Vu is believed to be a defect of the memory recall process, so klonopin would not be appropriate.

a.m.

1. I know what a benzo is. The anxiety is partially due to my other problems, IMO. I do know of CBT and DBT techniques and things but I feel there is simply no reason for me to suffer and be non-functional. If Klonopin can help with more than one problem, I see no problem with it. I'm actually of the belief system that long-term benzo use, as long as they aren't abused, isn't a bad thing if it's needed.

2. Klonopin is actually used for seizures. As for anxiety, it helps with the ... physical stuff, like hand shaking, I believe. It affects the CNS.

3. Many people with TLE or epilepsy report a "deja vu" or "auora" feeeling before they have one. And while there are some theories of deja vu, I haven't seen any solid facts.

Deja Vu TLE

Quote

Déjà vu has been firmly associated with temporal-lobe epilepsy. Reportedly, déjà vu can occur just prior to a temporal-lobe epileptic attack. People suffering an epileptic seizure of this kind can experience déjà vu during the actual seizure activity or in the moments between convulsions.

I can't find the full text of either scale interview dealies.

Quote

The Sidran Foundation is happy to be able to distribute the original English-language DES and several translations. To date, the DES has been translated into over 20 languages other than English. Here is a list of languages currently available. Packet includes five copies of the instrument, plus user's manual and reference lists.

From Sidran but I know that deja vu is a question because I've seen them before. Damn me and not bookmarking!

3. As for roping disorders...no. I'm just doing my homework and this is what came up.

TLE and DID

Quote

Temporal lobe epilepsy

Dissociation is more frequently found in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy than in any other neurologic disorder. The clinician should refer patients with dissociative symptoms for a thorough neurologic workup to rule out the presence of temporal lobe epilepsy or other organic processes. The standard EEG is of little help in distinguishing MPD from temporal lobe epilepsy because a high rate of nonspecific abnormalities has been detected in patients with MPD, most commonly bilateral temporal lobe slowing.

Also, you said,

Quote

Finding meds like antidepressants that get to the underlying problem are important.

Hmm. While I understand that anxiety and depression are kissing cousins, I don't think at this time an anti-depressant is necessary. The depression comes from the whole failure/anxiety/life is confusing/loneliness. The pdoc and tdoc (that's shrink and counselor, right?) are most helpful with that. I've been through ONE major depressive episode in my life and that's how I got diagnosed with these things cause I crashed and went into a partial hospitalization program. Finally I just crumbled after 10 years of rejecting the system. So...I am the eternal skeptic. Please don't "box" me, thanks. And from what I read, some kinds of seizure disorders may have triggers such as anxiety attacks or vice versa. TLE is probably seriously under-diagnosed.

4. DID and meds:

Quote

DID is a personality disorder and medications are not effective in treating them, so klonopin would not be appropriate.

Seeing as how most people have co-morbidity (hello, look at people's signatures!) ... I'll let it speak for itself. And while benzos don't cure DID, they do help (me, at least), from alters taking control. I'm pretty sure if I was capable enough to notice that TLE was mentioned for the following: various sleep disorders, deja vu, DID and what have you...I'd probably be smart enough to know that DID is not chemical. So I believe that you are seriously wrong. No, meds don't treat the problem but then can help manage symptoms.

5. Sleeping:

I was on trazadone (a diff. doc prescribed it, not the one I’m with now) and I'm so done with it. Even 500 mg won't make me sleep through the night. And it gives me nightmares, but not the hag kind. Just run-of-the-mill. I'd like to try something else now. And fyi, originally, the doc thought low-dose Xanax would help me sleep and take care of anxiety (.5 mg 3x/day) and hag nightmares and RLS. He thought I may have to cut tabs in half. HAHAAHAH!! No luck on the anxiety and sleeping through the night bit. Now I'm on .5 4x/day (helps more with anxiety) and traz, as mentioned. It's 4am and it's obvious traz is not working.

Finally...as for the apnoea, I just try to keep my room as dust-free and feaking clean/fresh as possible. Plus sudafed plug-ins. I could have my tonsils removed (HORRAY!!! they get infected about every 7 weeks anyway). Seeing as how benzos are saving my life, I'm not dropping them. And the doc didn't think it would be a problem. I should also mention that while my breathing apparently paused quite a bit as a kid and I do wake up a lot...but I can go back to sleep.

THIS kind of insomnia is more like waking and NOT going back to sleep. The insomnia bit comes and goes...but when it's here, it's here for weeks. Anxiety makes it worse. The doc said the bad bad dreams were like "panic attacks while sleeping."

Also, Hypnagogia/Hypnopompia and the most terrifying dreams ever accompanied with sleep paralysis (I also have the "rare" stuff listed in there) ...

Quote

An experience of the hypnagogic state is not an uncommon occurrence with 30 to 40 percent of people experiencing it at least once in their lives.[citation needed] However, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as narcolepsy and insomnia, or associated with temporal lobe epilepsy.

I'm not grouping things or trying to find a catch-all. I'm just doing my homework/research and I have a damn good doc (so good he only charges me for 30 mins and sees me for 60 and is NOT judgmental like the other dicks I've been exposed to). I'm doing what patients SHOULD be doing. And that's freaking looking out for themselves.

Breeze, on Nov 27 2006, 06:44 PM, said:

Meanwhile, back at the board you posted on:

I take Klonopin for anxiety. It works well. I recently found out that it's also good for epilepsy. So, yes this might be a double-your-fun med that will do good things for you.

As for deja vu. I found your young theory interesting. I have them often. But I think differently. In any event, don't be afraid of this, but if it happens often, perhaps write down the occurrence, and then why you thought this had happened before. Maybe you'll find a connection.

Good luck with all your "stuff".

Also, Nuerontin is good for anxiety and I believe epilepsy. But again, I don't know that much about epilepsy.

Breeze

I forgot to reply to this. If I get deja vu, I have to be so extra careful...just from that little kid fear in me. I mean, I may not drive or go out, or I'll double-watch what I say. Looking back, after deja vu is usually when something bad happens. Or I have to work "extra hard" to behave (aka not letting Y. come out. Preventing an alter from taking over is hard ass work if you can do it.)


Deja vu for me is literally a wwooooooshhhhhh and a...surge...thing.

This post has been edited by joyann: 28 November 2006 - 06:38 AM

[Maddy]

Here is all the information that I wanted to look up for you last night, but couldn't due to MedHed.

Indications for Klonopin usage in Seizure Disorders (from RxList.com):
Seizure Disorders: Clonazepam is useful alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures. In patients with absence seizures (petit mal) who have failed to respond to succinimides, clonazepam may be useful.

In some studies, up to 30% of patients have shown a loss of anticonvulsant activity, often within 3 months of administration. In some cases, dosage adjustment may reestablish efficacy.

Here is a link to more information on TLE including a list of other symptoms:
http://www.pni.org/n...zures/ptls.html

For me, personally, Topamax has been the one drug that has finally ended the deja vu.
ENDED IT. Stopped it cold.
The only bad part, is that if you don't have seizures or if they aren't in your temporal lobes
then it really doesn't do shit for you except give you a shitload of side effects you really
don't want.

<edited to add>
from the following URL: http://encyclopedia....kinetic+seizure

Atonic seizures (also called drop seizures, drop attacks, or akinetic seizures), are a minor type of seizure. They consist of a brief lapse in muscle tone that are caused by temporary alterations in brain function. The seizures are brief - usually less than fifteen seconds. They begin in childhood and may persist into adulthood. The seizure itself causes no damage, but the loss of muscle control can result in falling and injuring oneself in that way. Electroencephalography can be used to confirm diagnosis. It is minor and relatively common, and can be indicative of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (see Henri Gastaut).

[Yaakova]

Thank you, Maddy.

Question: Have you ever felt scared like all the sudden you were gonna get up and start screaming in the middle of something? I used to be scared of that as a kid. And oh my god, I had to doodle. I mean, HAVE TO DOODLE. Like a feeling in my hands that won't stop. It's funny if you see my notepad after a phone convo. Or my old elementary schoolwork. i used to get into trouble for it. But I HAD TO!

[Maddy]

Yes I doodle. Especially during phone conversations, but I also take notes during most all phone conversations as verbal is not one of my strengths. However, I do believe that doodling is different from hypergraphia in its most literal sense. I do however engage in hypergraphia during the most severe parts of my manic phases.

If you are in search of a benzo that will control both the TLE and the panic/anxiety, you can search through rxlist.com although that may take awhile. I can't think of any right off-hand. Just from memory alone, most seem to cover absence, myclonic, and GTC seizures. But those are just the more common benzos that I can think of, not the more uncommon ones.

[Yaakova]

Maddy, on Nov 28 2006, 08:00 AM, said:

Yes I doodle. Especially during phone conversations, but I also take notes during most all phone conversations as verbal is not one of my strengths. However, I do believe that doodling is different from hypergraphia in its most literal sense. I do however engage in hypergraphia during the most severe parts of my manic phases.

If you are in search of a benzo that will control both the TLE and the panic/anxiety, you can search through rxlist.com although that may take awhile. I can't think of any right off-hand. Just from memory alone, most seem to cover absence, myclonic, and GTC seizures. But those are just the more common benzos that I can think of, not the more uncommon ones.

Well, I don't have to be on the phone to doodle...but...is hypergraphia like...write logically? Urge to write, and it all makes sense?

I don't write with a pen much now. Type a lot. But when I was a kid, I had this awful...twitch in my hands. Aggh. Teachers hated it.

My lord!

I am screwy!

[nalgas]

While benzos generally do have some anticonvulsant properties, some more than others, they sure as hell aren't first line seizure meds most of the time for long term use. Usually I hear more about them used in large doses to stop seizures already in progress, like Diastat (warning: contains awesome), and taking that much would be completely impractical for functioning normally. They certainly can help, though, and are at least likely to not hurt, and they tend to be great for anxiety. This is all assuming that that's actually what's going on, which would be good to find out. Lots of symptoms can have lots of root causes.

As far as antidepressants go, the point of using them for anxiety isn't because the anxiety is caused by depression or because anxiety and depression are related or because you're also depressed or anything like that. It's because SSRIs also happen to conveniently work quite well for anxiety for a lot of people (and OCD sometimes) and don't have problems long term like tolerance with benzos.

Yay! I'm late to the party again. That'll teach me to disappear for a week.