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As you all know, Chang's been having some rough times with his health, but for a while now, I've been having some issues, and it's recently turned up that this could be something really serious. I figured since you guys were all people I've come to think of as friends, it would only be fair if I let you, in case something really is wrong.

For about a year now, I've been having what we originally called "twitches". It started around December of last year, so we though that maybe it was just a cold twitch or a strange shiver. But, as time went on, they became increasingly frequent, and it was obvious that temperature has had little to no factor in it. Usually, they involve my head and shoulders suddenly contracting quite violently to the left side. I've also been found to have these 'twitches' in my arms and legs, as I've kicked and punched out into the air, often hitting things and hurting myself.

I went to the doctor's several weeks ago, and he said he though it was a sort of seizure by my description and symptoms. I had some blood taken, and yesterday morning, I went for an electroencephalography, or an EEG, which scans brain waves, and can be used to see if there is an anomaly. I was lucky enough, I suppose you could say, you have said twitch/seizure during the scan, as well as a pain in my ear which apparently read as similar to a twitch. The technician there said that, judging by the violence of it, it appeared that it might be a myoclonic jerk, which is a type of seizure. She said that in about a week, the results will come back, and I'll find out if I'm getting a diagnosis, or if I have to go see some specialists, most likely a neurologist. I also had a clean CT scan a while ago, but that was for migraines that I was told it was just sinusitis, perfectly harmless.

As of right now, there's plenty of things it could be, but only a few that are even slightly likely. The most likely one is epilepsy. There's also multiple sclerosis, a small chance of lupus (although I don't think that's really on the doctor's mind compared to others). It is also consistent of Alzheimer's, which I have a family history of, but I'm too young for that. It is also a symptom of Parkinson's, but I don't have any other symptoms of Parkinson's. I have no other signs of Creutzfeld-Jakob either and I'm too young, which is a good thing since it's fatal. There is also another form of encephalitis that often causes these jerks, but it requires an early-life measles infection, which I have not had.

So right now, we're between epilepsy, and MS. But MS is still a bit of a long shot. But basically, I'm hoping on epilepsy, because other wise, there's a crap load of more testing to find things it could be, plus epilepsy is easily treatable. As of right now, I'm just waiting on answers.

Today I got the stomach flu, I think, because I couldn't stop throwing up whatever I put down my throat into my stomach. My dad says it was probably a virus and he gave me some soda so my tummy would stop hurting from throwing up and from whatever was making me throw up in the first place. I'm a little better now, but before it was so bad that I almost ended shitting in my shorts at one point. Don't worry, I was in the bathroom before I allowed that to happen, so I'm good. In fact, I'm feeling ok now because of those two cans already!

Seriously, though, that has been the worst case of a virus I've had this year. I never ever want to feel the fear of shitting in my pants again! gonk

I've had a seizure before.... technically 2-3 for at and i think TO the hospital. It happened at school, I was feeling sleepy. I laid my head down. The teacher told me to wake up, I lifted my head up and then back down. Then I notice my leg feeling weird. Though it could've just been the blood flow coming back if it fell asleep. I start having the seizure, fall out of the chair, hit my head on the floor, and before I black out, I hear the teacher say, "PRESS THE RED BUTTON!" which would be the emergency call button in the classroom. I guess I bit my tongue/lip since I had a bunch of ulcers or whatever in my mouth so people could barely understand me.

And as for something to help upset stomachs, in case someone gets them. My parents have me drink Coke (diet coke, coke zero, whatever works as long as it's Coca-Cola) in a cup of chipped ice, with a spoon. You're supposed to suck on the ice while the Coke does something to help you stomach. neutral ... biggrin

Damn, I can't remember the magic of Coke that makes people feel better. (I'm guessing the bubbles for the moment) Ginger Ale also works well if you're having stomach problems, but Coke tastes a lot better. (Coke also seems to help with headaches w/ my family)

I don't think I've ever had a seizure, but at least once a day I get these weird mussel spasms that last a few seconds. Sometimes I'll have a few, but overall they're not that serious. I kind of blackout a lot though. Most often happens when I'm walking. One second I can be walking fine, the next I'm falling over trying to grab something to keep upright. But like the mussel spasms, it'll only last a few seconds and I'm fine soon enough. (the blacking out keeps freaking everyone out though. Nearly completely blacked out on the subway while going to school to take either a Regents exam or a PSAT about a year or two ago. Everyone on the subway car was backing the hell away from me and I felt that I was going to throw up over this poor lady that was standing right by me.[I remember I kept thinking 'If I'm going to puke, I'm going to have to shove this woman over before I puke on her shoes.'])

I've found the best cure for a stomach virus is sprite and saltine crackers. They go down and stay down. =w=


Also, I was just hanging out with some friends one time in town. Started feelin' light headed, then I blacked out. Woke up with a few tissues from the pizzaria we were by in my mouth and my friend screaming on the phone at somebody on 911.

It's happened a few times, the first, though, being when I was a baby. then it didn't happen again until I was 16. (I don't remember the one when I was a baby, but my mom told me about it. =P)

Thanks guys! I guess soda does help with medical problems on occasion. I can eat again, too! ...unfortunately I have a sore throat now, as a result of throwing up so much stomach acid that...well, it made my throat sore.
...any tips on how to get rid of that? sweatdrop

Hot drinks! (coffee, hot cocoa, etc.)

This also works for when you get that feeling like there's gunk in your throat. It clears it up nicely.

Thanks! I'll try that soon enough. ...well, in the morning at least. I hope I get better before then, though.