(Differentially) Diagnosing a Myoclonic Seizure

1. 2019-01-03 at 12:05 AM UTC

   #1
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]
   Does anyone here by any chance have the medical experience/expertise/knowledge to properly diagnose a myoclonic seizure?
   
   How do you know if you've had a myoclonic seizure vs a tonic seizure, for example?
   
   And also, how do you distinguish between a myoclonic seizure and a muscle spasm?
   
   I'm worried that I may be experiencing extreme GHB/alcohol/benzo withdrawals and I want to figure out how serious my current condition is before I go and check myself into the hospital (which is what 811 suggested - they are the Canadian health hotline - for when you need some health advice but don't quite feel it warrants dialing 911, which is the North American emergency line).
   
   EDIT: I wanted to strike out the "extreme" qualifier there, as well as just mention in general, it's nowhere near as bad as it might sound. I feel, almost deceptively, fine all things considered - I just have these intermittent muscle contractions that are kinda concerning me. I do plan on going to a walk in medical clinic tomorrow morning, or, if things do get worse tonight, I will go to the hospital.
2. 2019-01-03 at 1:01 AM UTC

   #2
   

   Ghost Black Hole
   You should go to a clinic
3. 2019-01-03 at 1:11 AM UTC

   #3
   Mewsik African Astronaut [diagonally photosensitise my summation]
   Is there a good reason why you would not go to the hospital? I hope you go to the hospital and get some help. Asking an online community for health diagnosis might be a good reason to go. JS ... take good care.
4. 2019-01-03 at 1:12 AM UTC

   #4
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ghost You should go to a clinic

   
   I will be going to a walk-in clinic tomorrow.
   
   To be honest, though, these symptoms have actually motivated my interest in organic chemistry exponentially.
   
   I was researching, first of all, the particular cluster of symptoms I am experiencing and all preceding (potentially contributing) events, and valproic acid arose as the best possible (pharmacological) solution, which inspired me to start researching how I could possibly synthesize it...
   
   As it turns out, it consists of a fatty-acid component, making it a pretty complex molecule.
   
   But oh man it sent me down this fascinating path of dependent syntheses... It ultimately led me to a nifty synthesis of benzaldehyde, which, as it turns out (although you probably already know this), is a very common precursor in organic chemistry.
   
   But yeah, I do see the medical necessity in getting some expert/professional help with things. I'm like 99% sure they're just going to prescribe me either a long-lasting benzo, or maybe valproic acid or phenytoin, or maybe baclofen or neurontin.
   
   I prefer going into the doctor's office with some research prepared, whenever possible at least.
   
   The symptoms aren't as bad as they might sound. I just find various muscles in my body kinda moving somewhat involuntarily - but not to the extent that I feel the urge to call for an ambulance right this second - at least, not yet.
5. 2019-01-03 at 1:14 AM UTC

   #5
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Mewsik Is there a good reason why you would not go to the hospital? I hope you go to the hospital and get some help. Asking an online community for health diagnosis might be a good reason to go. JS … take good care.

   
   I'm gonna go to a walk-in clinic, at the very least, tomorrow morning.
   
   However, if things get out of control, I will definitely go straight to the E.R.
   
   But honestly, right now, things aren't quite as bad as they might sound.
   
   If they do get worse tonight, though, I'm not totally averse to hospitals or anything. I will go if necessary.
6. 2019-01-03 at 1:20 AM UTC

   #6
   

   Ghost Black Hole
   Addiction clinics are pretty cool they will give you drugs for stop smoking and alcohol withdrawal.
   
   If you feel like there are psychological issues you need help with they are good for that too.
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   • gadzooks
7. 2019-01-03 at 1:25 AM UTC

   #7
   

   gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

   Originally posted by Ghost Addiction clinics are pretty cool they will give you drugs for stop smoking and alcohol withdrawal.
   
   If you feel like there are psychological issues you need help with they are good for that too.

   
   Luckily, the psychological component this time around is surprisingly manageable. I've been through various chemical dependency programs. I was on methadone for almost two years, which required all kinds of withdrawal medications (the methadone for one thing - but they also gave me valproic acid and a tapered benzo dose for benzos and alcohol as well). I was also in a program (for the psychological component) called "DayTox" - an outpatient detox kind of thing where you do group therapy sessions and acupuncture and that kind of thing.
   
   But really, right now, the only symptom of any concern to me is the (relatively infrequent and almost entirely inconsequential) muscle contractions. Like, psychologically, I feel fine, I feel ready to stop drinking (etc); I do have a bit of trouble falling sleep, but even that's pretty manageable too.
   
   If I was like, lying on the floor, convulsing uncontrollably, I would most definitely have visited the E.R. by now.
8. 2019-01-03 at 2:42 AM UTC

   #8
   Mewsik African Astronaut [diagonally photosensitise my summation]
   It makes me really sad to hear about addictions people struggle with. I wish you could get the kind of support you really need to give your body a rest and time to fully recover (or best it can at this point.
   
   I think it’s impossible to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for psychological problems or physical with more chemicals.
   
   You are so bright, well spoken, you seem to be thoughtful and kind. I wish for you to find a way to honor and care for the gifts you were given.
   
   I dunno ... darn.
   The following users say it would be alright if the author of this post didn't die in a fire!

   • gadzooks
9. 2019-01-03 at 2:49 AM UTC

   #9
   The Self Taught Man Black Hole

   Originally posted by Mewsik You are so bright, well spoken, you seem to be thoughtful and kind. I wish for you to find a way to honor and care for the gifts you were given.

   
   This.
   The following users say it would be alright if the author of this post didn't die in a fire!

   • gadzooks
10. 2019-01-03 at 3:43 AM UTC

    #10
    The Self Taught Man Black Hole

    Originally posted by gadzooks Does anyone here by any chance have the medical experience/expertise/knowledge to properly diagnose a myoclonic seizure?
    
    How do you know if you've had a myoclonic seizure vs a tonic seizure, for example?
    
    And also, how do you distinguish between a myoclonic seizure and a muscle spasm?
    
    I'm worried that I may be experiencing extreme GHB/alcohol/benzo withdrawals and I want to figure out how serious my current condition is before I go and check myself into the hospital (which is what 811 suggested - they are the Canadian health hotline - for when you need some health advice but don't quite feel it warrants dialing 911, which is the North American emergency line).
    
    EDIT: I wanted to strike out the "extreme" qualifier there, as well as just mention in general, it's nowhere near as bad as it might sound. I feel, almost deceptively, fine all things considered - I just have these intermittent muscle contractions that are kinda concerning me. I do plan on going to a walk in medical clinic tomorrow morning, or, if things do get worse tonight, I will go to the hospital.

    
    What is the strikethrough code?
11. 2019-01-03 at 3:45 AM UTC

    #11
    The Self Taught Man Black Hole
    If you do a bump of heroin and walk inti a clinic will they give you subs/methadone?
    
    I'm amusing they can't diagnostically tell how long you've been on it
12. 2019-01-03 at 3:47 AM UTC

    #12
    

    Ghost Black Hole
    Addiction i$ the nu vvay of the vvarrior
13. 2019-01-03 at 8:51 AM UTC

    #13
    

    Zanick motherfucker [my p.a. supernal goa]
    When I was 14 I observed it in a Chicago bus driver who nearly lost control of the vehicle I had boarded. It was a standout case that ticked all the boxes of which I had read about beforehand, so I can't claim any sort of special knowledge. I had the opportunity to talk to him about it following the event, after he was done apologizing. I recognized it based on the reports of a Zoklet member and it was really a spectacular coincidence unless I'm totally wrong. In any case, I'm really glad I didn't die.
    
    Otherwise, yeah I've had benzo withdrawal seizures. You're going to feel fine, and if you feel better than this it's probably actually worse. You won't know it's happened except by the accounting of others. Don't be bashful in your treatment; be choosy about the anticonvulsant they give you because you'll probably be taking it for months.
    The following users say it would be alright if the author of this post didn't die in a fire!

    • gadzooks
14. 2019-01-03 at 3:38 PM UTC

    #14
    The Self Taught Man Black Hole
    I take lamictal and gabapentin post benzo withdrawl. I don't know if my episodes were partial seizures or not. I don't know how the lamictal affects me rrally, but it doesn't seem to make me any more tired (I think). I highly reccommend gaba
    The following users say it would be alright if the author of this post didn't die in a fire!

    • gadzooks
15. 2019-01-03 at 3:55 PM UTC

    #15
    Ughhu Tuskegee Airman [tepidly antiquate my affinity]
    The withdrawal treatment for alcohol in hospital is benzos. Once you get through the alcohol detox then taper the benzos.
    The following users say it would be alright if the author of this post didn't die in a fire!

    • gadzooks
16. 2019-01-03 at 3:59 PM UTC

    #16
    

    mikeyagain African Astronaut [unalterably regard the persecutor]

    Originally posted by DietPiano I take lamictal and gabapentin post benzo withdrawl. I don't know if my episodes were partial seizures or not. I don't know how the lamictal affects me rrally, but it doesn't seem to make me any more tired (I think). I highly reccommend gaba

    
    Gaba is pretty good if you take 3 times your dosage.. The bastards recently made it a controlled substance.. I wish they would leave people the fuck alone...
17. 2019-01-03 at 10:13 PM UTC

    #17
    The Self Taught Man Black Hole

    Originally posted by mikeyagain Gaba is pretty good if you take 3 times your dosage.. The bastards recently made it a controlled substance.. I wish they would leave people the fuck alone…

    
    No it's not. I think it is in Kentuckyand maybe another state, but that's it.
    
    I take 900 tid
18. 2019-01-04 at 2:48 AM UTC

    #18
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]
    First off, again, thanks folks for the positive sentiments and advice and other kinds of input.
    
    I ended up going to the walk-in medical clinic this morning and was given a tapering benzodiazepine dose, which is more than I even expected, and it's doing quite a lot to subdue the physical withdrawal symptoms I was having initially.
19. 2019-01-04 at 2:49 AM UTC

    #19
    

    gadzooks Dark Matter [keratinize my mild-tasting blossoming]

    Originally posted by DietPiano What is the strikethrough code?

    
    Left square bracket + s + right square bracket.
    
    YOUR TEXT GOES HERE.
    
    Left square bracket + forward slash + s + right square bracket.
    The following users say it would be alright if the author of this post didn't die in a fire!

    • The Self Taught Man
20. 2019-01-04 at 2:53 AM UTC

    #20
    Ughhu Tuskegee Airman [tepidly antiquate my affinity]
    The biggest fear is that you would seize and fall and hit your head or something. Benzos will help you get through this initial phase. Next issue is dealing with the mental end of addiction, much harder but it sounds like you have made it through in the past