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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 plopdan on Thu, 2008-05-22 - 19:51

From what I can gather Epilepsy can be genetic i.e can run through a family.

I got diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 41 with no family background.  As far as I know you are not classed as an epileptic until you have had more than one episode.  The EEG and CAT can show nothing but it does'nt make any real differance as they only show proof positive that you have epilepsy not that you have'nt.  Around 30% show a positive result with the EEG.

It could well be that what you had was a one of, many epi's have the odd one now and again per year  which aint much to worry about!  A lot of epi's have the odd episode then out of the blue they never have another one in there life.

So my advice to you  is to live your life as normal and don't worry about it..

Good life and living Plopdan1

From what I can gather Epilepsy can be genetic i.e can run through a family.

I got diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 41 with no family background.  As far as I know you are not classed as an epileptic until you have had more than one episode.  The EEG and CAT can show nothing but it does'nt make any real differance as they only show proof positive that you have epilepsy not that you have'nt.  Around 30% show a positive result with the EEG.

It could well be that what you had was a one of, many epi's have the odd one now and again per year  which aint much to worry about!  A lot of epi's have the odd episode then out of the blue they never have another one in there life.

So my advice to you  is to live your life as normal and don't worry about it..

Good life and living Plopdan1

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

Submitted by BeckyNYY on Fri, 2008-06-13 - 14:34

Hello,

 

I'm sorry that you went through that!  I was diagnosed with epilepsy almost three years ago at the age of 28.  I only have seizures when I am sleeping.  I went through the standard tests. . .MRI, sleep deprived EEG, blood tests.  Everything came back normal.  I was given the diagnosis of epilepsy because I had "two or more unexplained seizures."  

I have been on the same medication since my diagnosis--just changed doses every now and then (depending on seizure activity). 

I know that scary/confused feeling that you're talking about.  Just last week, I "woke up" to 5 EMTs in my bedroom!  Apparently, I had tried to go to the bathroom (sleepwalking, I guess) and ended up falling in the bathroom and breaking my nose, hurting my forehead, and chipping a tooth.   That is the worst injury I've ever sustained from a seizure.

 I hope that they are able to figure out what is happening with you!  Best of luck to you!

Hello,

 

I'm sorry that you went through that!  I was diagnosed with epilepsy almost three years ago at the age of 28.  I only have seizures when I am sleeping.  I went through the standard tests. . .MRI, sleep deprived EEG, blood tests.  Everything came back normal.  I was given the diagnosis of epilepsy because I had "two or more unexplained seizures."  

I have been on the same medication since my diagnosis--just changed doses every now and then (depending on seizure activity). 

I know that scary/confused feeling that you're talking about.  Just last week, I "woke up" to 5 EMTs in my bedroom!  Apparently, I had tried to go to the bathroom (sleepwalking, I guess) and ended up falling in the bathroom and breaking my nose, hurting my forehead, and chipping a tooth.   That is the worst injury I've ever sustained from a seizure.

 I hope that they are able to figure out what is happening with you!  Best of luck to you!

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

Submitted by paigeg on Fri, 2008-05-23 - 16:01

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know we are in the same boat this days.  I read your post here and you replied to me with my crazy story.  Looks like we have that "Now what do we do" questions.  We are in the right place. I wrote on another board and it didn't have much info on seizures/epilepsy.  Glad I came on here.  Good Luck and hang in there!

Paige

Cameron: stroke at birth, seizures

Evan: our lil' preemie

http://www.freewebs.com/cameronscourage/

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know we are in the same boat this days.  I read your post here and you replied to me with my crazy story.  Looks like we have that "Now what do we do" questions.  We are in the right place. I wrote on another board and it didn't have much info on seizures/epilepsy.  Glad I came on here.  Good Luck and hang in there!

Paige

Cameron: stroke at birth, seizures

Evan: our lil' preemie

http://www.freewebs.com/cameronscourage/

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