My wife told me that I had a seizure the other night. As usual I have completely no memory of it. I slept most of the next day. Otherwise I'm completely fine. I'm glad she didn't call for help. She must be used to it by now.
When it happened she was very upset. I heard her call my name and saw her fuss. I asked her what was the matter. She left the room for a moment. At the time I was worried about what was happening. What could be wrong with her? I had no idea it was me who was having a seizure.
I see a neurologist for this and am on medication. I'm lucky I don't have a much worse disease.
Sorry to hear this, John. I hope you tell your doctor about this and get a review of your medication. Perhaps adjustments are needed?
ReplyDeleteI just left a message at my doctors about this.
DeleteSorry to read that John. As long as you are ok...your wife looks after you well.
ReplyDeleteYes, she does. I'm lucky I'm not alone.
DeleteI have grand mal seizures (now called something else). Those are convulsive seizures. They are extremely painful. Each one a person has is a bit worse than the one before until they can be so bad that a person can die from a seizure. In fact I have almost died three times. I feel very fortunate to be here.
ReplyDeleteI am going to tell you what steps to take if you are with someone having a seizure.
1. If they are upright, lower them safely to a lying position. That will help keep them from injuring themselves in a fall.
2. NEVER, EVER, EVER, try to force anything into their mouth. Fingers have been bitten off. Tableware and wooden sticks are either broken or cause damage to teeth.
3. The human tongue is a muscle. It sits in a particular spot in the body. It is physically impossible to swallow your tongue. However the tongue like any muscle can fall to the back of the mouth and block the air passages. Gently position the person on their side. That way the tongue falls to the side instead of the back of the mouth.
4. If the seizure lasts for more than three minutes or if there are repeat seizures call for medical help immediately.
5. When the seizure is over often the person will lose consciousness or maybe just be confused. When they awaken the body and brain are busy trying to re-establish connections. They have no time to answer questions like "Do you know me?" Leave that for professionals. Simply say, "hi, (insert name, it is important). I am (insert name, it is important). You just had a seizure. You are safe and I am right here. Everyone is taken care of. You need to rest so go to sleep. I will be here when you wake up." If an ambulance is on the way or the doctor is on the way let them know that too. That way they can let their body heal itself without wondering what is going on.
In the beginning I was up and full of energy after a seizure within a couple of hours. As time went on it took me at least two full days to be able to even get out of bed and stand on firm feet. Each person is different.
Epilepsy is nothing to be ashamed of. No more than diabetes, heart disease, or asthma. If you were ever to see the list of famous people and world leaders throughout history who had seizures you would be amazed.
It is called the divine malady because Julius Caesar had seizures. He explained that his soul was leaving his body to commune with the gods.
But it must be treated. By a doctor who knows what he is doing. Not many do. Most of the "maladies" are only mentioned in medical school in passing. I hope I have enlightened you a bit. I hope you never need the information. But if you are confronted with a situation you now know what you can do.
Thank you for the detailed practical advice. Your time and energy are appreciated.
ReplyDeleteJohn