When I talk to people about my seizures, a common question is whether or not I get any warning before one happens. Most often, I get zero to little warning before my seizures. Sometimes I get a “funny feeling”, feelings of anxiety or extreme fatigue. These symptoms- which are called Auras- are difficult to differentiate between every day feelings of fatigue, anxiety, and random funny feelings. Other people living with Epilepsy have very clearly defined Auras, which makes it easy to get to a safe space before the seizure occurs. There are many Auras that people experience- ranging from tame to extremely odd. Auras can occur together or separately.
According to the blog Living With Epilepsy, by Phylis Feiner Johnson, here is a little list of Auras:
http://epilepsytalk.com/2010/06/06/a-menu-of-epilepsy-auras/
Visual changes
Kaleidoscope effects
Visual hallucinations
Shimmering sensations
Vibrating visual field
Distortions in size, shape or distance of objects
Bright lights or blobs
Zigzag lines
Tunnel vision
Blind or dark spots in the field of vision
Curtain-like effect over one eye
Blindness in one eye
Motionless stare
Dilated pupils
Auditory changes
Hallucinations — hearing voices or sounds that don’t exist
Being unable to understand spoken words
Muffled sounds
Buzzing noises
Loud or whispered volume
Temporary deafness
Physical changes
Weakness, unsteadiness
Changes in heart rate
Sweating
Nausea
Vertigo
Saliva collecting in mouth
Lip smacking
Chewing
Swallowing
Strange smells
Problems speaking
Repetitive movements
Limbs jerking involuntarily
Numbness or tingling on one side of face or body
Feeling of being separated from your body
Needing to urinate
Psychological changes
Confusion
Anxiety or fear
Physical detachment
Déjà vu or jamais vu, a sense of familiarity or unfamiliarity
Resources:
Steven C. Schachter, M.D.
So as you can see there are a lot of Auras that people with Epilepsy experience. Some (like myself) experience zero to little warning before a seizure, and others get them with enough time to be safe. Personally, I wish I had warning before my seizures- as I would have less collateral damage. Ah, well. I am pooped as I have had a long day. Hope you’re doing well!! xox
Life at Full Volume 
Hi Sita, i’m lucky in that all of my auras only ever lead to a partial and I rarely have seizures while I’m awake. The Dr’s always ask what they feel like and its so hard to describe but its just a ‘feeling’, like a gut feeling. To describe it as familiar is probably the best way, I know I might have a partial and I may not. Its pretty regular so obviously very familiar to me. If I’m out and about they can turn into very anxious feelings because I’m always aware that a grand mal seizure might one day follow it.
It would be interesting to hear how other people describe theirs if anyone is happy to share.