Too quickly diagnosed with epilepsy & prescribed medication?

Hi all
I would like to share my recent experience, and wonder if anyone else has felt the same way? I apologise for the long post.
I have recently been given a diagnosis of epilepsy by a neurologist. The background to this is:
I have had ‘deja vu’ experiences on and off for over 20 years. They only occur after periods of prolonged lack of sleep. By prolonged I mean weeks of only 4-5hours, not just a few days pulling an ‘all nighter’ to complete an assignment for Uni.
Eleven years ago after having a longer than usual prolonged lack of sleep episode (months this time, not just weeks) - busy with work, studying and travelling all at the same time) I had a deja vu and then lost consciousness. It was not witnessed, but I was aware it had happened afterwards. I believe it was only for a short (20-30secs) amount of time as the radio was going at the time. I saw a neurologist at the time and he was quite satisfied that the ridiculous hours I was working/studying at the time was the trigger.
A month ago (eleven years later) I had a similar experience - again juggling a heavy work and study load with frequent deadlines, and working through to 2am nearly every morning for months (waking at 6.30am - I am now a mother with two small children) - deja vu experience and about 30 seconds later losing consciousness. It was seen by someone in the house (in that they heard me fall and found me unconscious). I was only out for about 20-30secs at most, and there was no sign of fitting. I got up and was unperturbed by this, and neither was my husband given the hours I was working. However as a matter of course I went to a GP, who referred me to a neurologist.
We have only heard good things about this neurologist, however we didn't have quite the same experience. To shorten the story:
*We both felt that a diagnosis of epilepsy was made within 5 minutes of being in his office, before any background had been given.*The prolonged sleep deprivation was not taken into account at all - he gave us the impression he thought I had just had a couple of late nights*He described Tegretol (400mg) extremely quickly*No side effects were discussed*No precautions to be taken while taking the drug were discussed*Directions on how to take the drug were not on the prescription (he explained verbally about starting off on 100mg etc, but whilst I was listening at the time, I also made the assumption that they would be on the prescription)*No blood tests were taken or discussed to establish any baseline data prior to taking Tegretol*No mention was made of having blood tests at any time to monitor the level was mentioned
Once we had bought the Tegretol from the chemist we realised that there were no instructions with it other than ‘Take as prescribed by your doctor’. We also then had the opportunity to read the information that came with it. I sent some detailed questions via email to this neurologist including:
*how to take it, *how is the dosage determined, *given this has only happened after extremely prolonged periods of sleep deprivation I will be changing my routine to a regular 10pm bedtime, what is the likelihood of coming off medication altogether
His response was to the first question was to give directions but increase the dose to 600mg without telling me, nor explaining why (I queried this immediately and he brought it back to 400mg - it was at this point he said ‘Oh, and you should have a serum level done in a couple of weeks’ - he wouldn't have mentioned this had I not continued with the questioning)
The second question was ignored
The answer to the third was “The medication should allow you to lead a normal life. I wouldn't worry about a strict curfew.” Given sleep deprivation is a known trigger, I am angry to say the least that he has responded with that answer and has completely ignored the fact that my ‘normal life’ up until now has been one where sleep has been very low on the priority list. I cannot emphasise this too much.
Finally comes the Tegretol. I have ended up with a mouth full of ulcers, a constant feeling that I am coming down with the ‘flu (aching body, generally feeling terrible) and psychologically it was frightening. At a time when I had finally completed all the subjects for my Masters, the pressure was off and I should be feeling fabulous I instead felt like the sole survivor of a nuclear holocaust and wanting to throw a brick through someone’s window. My saving grace was being able to hold onto the logical and practical me, telling myself over and over “It is just the drug, it is just the drug, it is not you.” and the fact that I have an amazing husband and some close friends who were able to keep me hanging on to the shred of myself that was left. As of yesterday I phoned his office and described what was happening, and was told (via his secretary) to come off the Tegretol, and they made an appointment for a week and a half's time to try a new drug. I feel like an extra on “One flew over the Cuckoo's nest.”
After this experience I will be cancelling this appointment, and at some stage seeking a second opinion. We can cope with bad news, but from someone we have faith in and we just don't have any faith in this particular neurologist given this experience. In the meantime, I will be trying what I wanted to try in the first place (and was ignored) of changing my lifestyle to ensure I get the proper amount of sleep on a regular basis. I will stay off the road for three months (the time he recommended) and try and treat the trigger. If I don't try this BEFORE I am sentenced to AEDs then I won't get the chance. For what it is worth, I have a scientific background (and tend to question things) and am known for being a logical and practical person. On a happier note, 36hrs after beginning the withdrawal from Tegretol, with the last 100mg taken this morning, I am beginning to feel back to my old self again. And extremely concerned about what has happened over the past couple of weeks.
So at the end of my long post, for those of you who are still here and reading, has anyone else felt that they (or their child) have been given a quick diagnosis and/or medication because it is the easiest and safest answer? And that the whole picture hasn't been taken into account?


Thanks in advance, I would be interested in hearing about your experiences.