Seizures starting the same day as shingles (29F) – anyone experienced anything like this?

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to hear from anyone who might have experienced something similar while I wait to see a neurologist later this month.

I’m 29 and developed shingles in November 2025, and strangely the first seizure-like episode happened the same day the rash appeared. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to start antivirals within the 72-hour window, so the shingles ran their full course. The rash has healed now, but the episodes are still happening about every 2 weeks.

The episodes seem very similar to temporal lobe seizures from what I’ve read. When they happen I experience things like:

• a sudden wave or rising sensation in my chest/head

• a really intense déjà vu / dream-like feeling

• a gas or burning smell before episode

• a sense of fear or something being “off”

• feeling detached from reality or not fully present

• convinced that moment has happened before and I’m reliving it and feel like I can predict what’s going to happen next

The episode itself usually lasts about 30–60 seconds, and afterwards I feel really drained, anxious, and a bit out of it for either 24 hours or sometimes extended period of time (days until recovered)

Around the time I had shingles I also had a lot of nerve pain and strange nerve sensations, which made me wonder if the virus irritated something neurologically.

So far I’ve had: MRI – clear & EEG – clear

I know these tests can be normal between seizures, but it’s still frustrating not having answers yet.

I’m mainly wondering:

•	Has anyone had seizures start around the time they had shingles?

•	Could shingles or nerve inflammation trigger temporary seizures?

•	Or did this end up becoming long-term epilepsy for you?

Not looking for a diagnosis, just curious if anyone else has had a similar onset or experience.

Thanks in advance for any insight 😊