This episode took a weird, yet fortunate turn.. I think.. in at least that it ended. I wound up in the ER a few days ago. I had been some tunnel vision, facial numbness, and apparently I was pretty difficult to understand. I don't remember much about going in, only that they decided to keep me to do a cardiac work up. At some point I was given a sedative. When that didn't do the trick they gave me more. I slept for at least a full 24 hours. I woke up and the shadows were gone, the weird loud thoughts were quieter, and no more time gaps.
I was finally released today. No cardiac event, thankfully, and no psych hospitalization, even more thankfully. I might not have a job anymore (it seems my boss is afraid to work me right now) but that might be ok too.
I still don't know what started this whole episode, but I guess I just have to be a little more mindful of my behavior than I have been in recent weeks. I appreciate all of the responses. I did some quickie research on mised episodes and this sounds pretty spot on. Wow, what a scary ride. Let's not do this one again Haha.