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Aura or epileptic seizure

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Laura
Laaaaaura!
Laura???
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January 16th, 2008
Over the past few days I suspect I have been having 'auras'. Is the following an aura, and wht should I do about it? starts with intense fear - can't breathe, pins and needles feeling on entire left side of body, followed by hot/cold flash, very often a strange smell (like burning plastic). Facial muscles (left) tense up, it looks like a lopsided smile. No other muscle twitches or so. Usually goes by within 1 minute, feels much longer. Is this an aura or prehaps a small seizure? Could it be caused by the scar tissue from my operation in september? sorry I canm't type so great, my pinkie an dring finger (left hand) are still usless after the operation.
thanks in advance.


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replied January 30th, 2008
Epilepsy Answer A3559
You wrote:

"Diagnosis that has been suggested: astocytoma grad II right frontal/temporal
Current medical status: astro debulking surgery 09/2007. MRI jan 2008 (results unclear: cannot differentiate tumor mass from scar tissue and edema)"


The symptoms you report would be an aura if followed by a generalized seizure attack , but this didn’t happen in your case. In some cases, a partial seizure attack (secondary generalized epilepsy) occurs before a before generalized seizure attack . This partial seizure attack is sensed by the patient and is called an "aura".

Auras can manifested with various symptoms (voices, smells, sights, muscle contractions etc.) depending upon the origin of the epilepsy. Because a generalized attack was not confirmed in your case the symptoms may represent some partial attack that didn't become generalized. Scar tissue in the brain can cause either partial or generalized epilepsy attack. Further, an EEG can confirm or exclude epilepsy. You can consult a neurologist about this.


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