"Sit Ubu sit!! (Good dog)" <W9MK000 at MUSICB.MCGILL.CA> wrote:
>Hi, I'm a student at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
> I have always wondered whether I might have something wrong:
>Whenever I'm in class or tired, I experience extremely brief
>periods of discontinuity. Sort of like the teacher is talking about
>something and then suddenly is at the end of his sentence. I
>always thought that it was probably because I was tired or I
>was daydreaming- however- I couldn't remember what I could have
>been daydreaming/thinking about.
> I have always had this feeling as far as I can remember- but
>simply ascribed it to daydreaming.
> I recently found out that a cousin of mine, a young girl,
>has a problem in which she experiences lapses, her eyes go blank
>and time stops for her during that time. The only thing is that while
>hers last about half a second, mine probably last less. She takes
>medication.
> This happens less when I am hyper or alert.
>Anyone have any idea what it could be? So far, no one has noticed it
>except for me. Could it simply be daydreaming? Is it natural?
>Maybe I'm not paying enough attention...
>
This sounds very much like a petit mal ( "little" ) seizure. Do you, like
your cousin, have momentary staring when this happens? Are you
unresponsive if someone talks to you?
If you have not described this to your doctor, please do so right away.
You need to be tested by a neurologist, who will prescribe medication if
this is seizure activity. This is particularly important if you drive
because those momentary lapses can be very dangerous when you are behind
the wheel! BTW, if these are seizures, they are completely out of your
control. It isn't that you aren't paying attention - your brain is doing
this to you without your knowledge or consent. Medication should stop it.
Please check this out immediately! Susan