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First seizure yesterday at 31 (in my sleep)

Thu, 05/22/2008 - 16:51

I am new to this site and not sure where to post this so I hope this is a good area, where people read this and can offer some advice.

Yesterday morning around 5am my husband was woken by the sound of me apparently choking.  He turned on the light and my body was in a seizure (muscles all stretched out in arms and legs, head back, eyes rolled back in my head) and turning blue, also foaming at the mouth.  He called 911.  By the time they arrived (about 7 minutes by his estimate) I was out of the seizure and in a heavy sleep.

When I woke up, I freaked out because there were 2 EMT's in the room trying to talk to me and I had no idea what was going on.  I was in a very confused/scared state and passed back out within 30 seconds.  I'm told that they got me out of bed and walked me down the stairs to a stretcher waiting, then transported me by ambulance to the local hospital, none of which I remember.

They ran a few tests at the hospital and decided to transport me to the city an hour away for further testing.  I had a CAT scan and EEG done.  The good (?) news is that both came back clear, no tumors and no signs of epilepsy on the EEG. 

So now what?

I am going back in about 2 weeks (waiting for the appointment) to have a second EEG done, this one where I have to stay awake the whole night before so that I am extremely tired for the test.  If that one doesn't show any epileptic signs I'm not sure what's next.  It's "only" one seizure but one too many for me!

I have an aunt, uncle (brother and sister), and cousin who had epilepsy in their younger years that they outgrew so I guess that is why the dr's are doing further testing, because of the possible genetic link.

Anyone have any thoughts for me, advice?

Comments

Re: First seizure yesterday at 31 (in my sleep)

Submitted by Adz on Mon, 2008-06-02 - 11:01

Adz - Hi TLA.  The first is always the worst.  It's that whole lack of knowledge thing that is such a pain.  I took my first at 15 yrs 11 mth in a record shop (we had big black flat things called records then), 30 miles from my home village.    The next one was in another shop, the 3rd I don't remember.

Today I help present Epilepsy workshops (volunteer) and work when I can get employment.

I wan't to say hang in there; it is not easy to wait but it is what we have to do.  The next thing is to take control.  Don't be frightened of living with Epilepsy (if thats what you have), keep a diary, record episodes, try and learn from each one (triggers). 

If poss let me know how you get on.  This may not have been of any use to you, sorry.

 

Adz

Adz - Hi TLA.  The first is always the worst.  It's that whole lack of knowledge thing that is such a pain.  I took my first at 15 yrs 11 mth in a record shop (we had big black flat things called records then), 30 miles from my home village.    The next one was in another shop, the 3rd I don't remember.

Today I help present Epilepsy workshops (volunteer) and work when I can get employment.

I wan't to say hang in there; it is not easy to wait but it is what we have to do.  The next thing is to take control.  Don't be frightened of living with Epilepsy (if thats what you have), keep a diary, record episodes, try and learn from each one (triggers). 

If poss let me know how you get on.  This may not have been of any use to you, sorry.

 

Adz

Re: First seizure yesterday at 31 (in my sleep)

Submitted by cathyafwife on Mon, 2008-06-02 - 12:40

Hi,

 

Im 33, mom of 2 kids, no history of epilepsy in my family. Two weeks ago I had my first seizure while watching a movie at home with my husband, he called 9 1 1 and I dont remember anything untill almost to the ER, they did a CAT and said it was normal and to see a Neuro doc in 2-3 days, so on that Monday morning I set an appt, it was for a little over a week later before they could get me in and I was feeling fine so I took that date, that evening I had my 2nd seizure and my 14 yo son heard it and called 9 1 1 this time they admitted me and did a MRI and EEG, MRI was clear but the EEG showed signs of seizure and epilepsy and some bloodwork came back elevated that supported the seizures as well.  They put me on meds and I seen the neuro doc several days later and he confirmed it was epilepsy.  The evenings get worrisome for me since thats when I had both of them but the meds seem to be working, Im on my 2nd med, the first caused me mood issues.  I guess Im scared it will happen again or I will be alone and not wake out of it.  Good luck with your appt. I hope things go well for you, I know for me 2 weeks out now Im still scared and hope that goes away soon.

Cathy

Hi,

 

Im 33, mom of 2 kids, no history of epilepsy in my family. Two weeks ago I had my first seizure while watching a movie at home with my husband, he called 9 1 1 and I dont remember anything untill almost to the ER, they did a CAT and said it was normal and to see a Neuro doc in 2-3 days, so on that Monday morning I set an appt, it was for a little over a week later before they could get me in and I was feeling fine so I took that date, that evening I had my 2nd seizure and my 14 yo son heard it and called 9 1 1 this time they admitted me and did a MRI and EEG, MRI was clear but the EEG showed signs of seizure and epilepsy and some bloodwork came back elevated that supported the seizures as well.  They put me on meds and I seen the neuro doc several days later and he confirmed it was epilepsy.  The evenings get worrisome for me since thats when I had both of them but the meds seem to be working, Im on my 2nd med, the first caused me mood issues.  I guess Im scared it will happen again or I will be alone and not wake out of it.  Good luck with your appt. I hope things go well for you, I know for me 2 weeks out now Im still scared and hope that goes away soon.

Cathy

Re: First seizure yesterday at 31 (in my sleep)

Submitted by scratch on Mon, 2008-06-02 - 23:52
sorry to hear about your sz......i hope it gets better soon.....and yes it does scare the cr ap out of u when u dont know what's going on....i also blacked out from mine and had no clue where i was until i woke up.....take care and god bless

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