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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Symptoms For Blackout?

Hello, my name is Devonne. I have had blackout experiences. Examples: My sister left for Arizona. I remember dialing her but remember nothing after that...nothing. Much later my son set me down to tell me what he thought was some psychological disorder I had. I remember saying Whoa wait a minute, this is way over my head. Then I remember nothing. He called his wife in to ask why I didn t like her, as far as I understand because I cannot remember her exact moment of arrival. Later after saying things I don t remember she began to cry. I left to have a cigarette and my son went with me. He was yelling at me, telling me I was embarrassing him but all I could reply was what did I say? Went back to the table and the rest is blank until my daughter in law told me to get out of her house. So I did...came back to some distant reality and found a hotel I could stay at. I drove right to it with no problem finding it. A few years later I went to live in KC with them. Apparently I called my daughter in law said some things I guess were bad. I remember nothing about it...dialing the phone or anything. Another blackout occurred at my sisters house when I was helping her put up the siding. I was on a six foot ladder, my knees began to tremble. I blackout and fell on the cement. I remember nothing about the fall. My sister said I just fell flat on my back with no attempt to protect my self. I suffered broken ribs and mild head condition that was addressed for dizziness. It worked well. During the head and rib exam (gp) I began to get so dizzy the nurse was having a hard time keeping me on the exam table. I m 59. I ve been diagnosed with epilepsy. I just don t think I have it.
Tue, 6 Sep 2016
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Diabetologist 's  Response
Hi
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your message.
I think I can help you.

The episodes that you have mentioned are definite episodes of seizures the way you have described them.
There is no other possible cause.
A seizure comes suddenly- so a person cannot protect self- hence the fall from the ladder. There is no way one can protect oneself.
The patient has no consciousness of self and that explains why you don't remember the episodes, despite even speaking in the episodes.
Most convincing of all, people think there is a psychological effect. This is because they do not know that seizures are not just the shaking of limbs - a version of seizures which is widely known.

So, I am quite convinced that you had seizures- most likely focal seizures with generalization (that is to say that you develop just a part of the seizure first and this becomes more extensive as the episode progresses- hence you could remember your daughter in law walk in, but not the rest of the episode).

From your last line, I surmise that your neurologist has told you the same thing. From the same line, I feel that you have been initiated on medicines that you are not taking.
I should tell you that you need to take the medicines, to avoid further episodes.
In case there are episodes despite the medicines, you need to meet your neurologist to get the dose modified and to change the medicine if needed.
If it persists, a scan, preferably MRI Brain will be needed.

I have tried to make it as simple as possible. Please feel free to contact me for clarification on any particular point if needed. Please do start your medications. Best of luck, Dr Mittal
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What Is The Symptoms For Blackout?

Hi I am Dr Mittal. I have read your message. I think I can help you. The episodes that you have mentioned are definite episodes of seizures the way you have described them. There is no other possible cause. A seizure comes suddenly- so a person cannot protect self- hence the fall from the ladder. There is no way one can protect oneself. The patient has no consciousness of self and that explains why you don t remember the episodes, despite even speaking in the episodes. Most convincing of all, people think there is a psychological effect. This is because they do not know that seizures are not just the shaking of limbs - a version of seizures which is widely known. So, I am quite convinced that you had seizures- most likely focal seizures with generalization (that is to say that you develop just a part of the seizure first and this becomes more extensive as the episode progresses- hence you could remember your daughter in law walk in, but not the rest of the episode). From your last line, I surmise that your neurologist has told you the same thing. From the same line, I feel that you have been initiated on medicines that you are not taking. I should tell you that you need to take the medicines, to avoid further episodes. In case there are episodes despite the medicines, you need to meet your neurologist to get the dose modified and to change the medicine if needed. If it persists, a scan, preferably MRI Brain will be needed. I have tried to make it as simple as possible. Please feel free to contact me for clarification on any particular point if needed. Please do start your medications. Best of luck, Dr Mittal