Her Epilepsy Seemed to Be Managed Well … Until It Wasn't

Woman Experiences Seizure Symptoms While Making Pizza #

A 33-year-old woman had a seizure while making pizza in her kitchen. The incident caused her friend to be alarmed as the woman’s speech became slurred and she threw a knife, followed by losing consciousness. The woman had been previously diagnosed with epilepsy, experiencing seizures characterized by feelings of déjà vu, impending doom, falling sensations, and sometimes an odd chemical smell. Despite being awake throughout the seizures, she would sometimes be unable to speak. Medical tests revealed slower brain activity in her left temporal lobe, leading to her being prescribed anti-seizure medication. However, she continued to have sporadic episodes, particularly when tired, stressed, or skipping meals. Two years prior, she briefly lost consciousness during a seizure, which prompted a visit to the emergency department. An incident at work was captured on security cameras, further alarming her as she saw herself losing consciousness and exhibiting weak and uncoordinated movements. Her neurologist increased her medication dosage and referred her to an Epilepsy Clinic for further evaluation.