Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
Can you be conscious for a grand mal seizure/tonic-clonic?
Tue, 07/07/2009 - 19:52A few weeks ago, at the age of 22, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I have had mainly focal epileptic seizures but recently suffered from a second tonic-clonic seizure in a month.
I was asleep and it was late at night for the first tonic-clonic seizure and I was at the hospital for EEG testing as well as video monitering.
During the second, it was late afternoon, I had suffered from two seizures that day and then after dozing off around 5:30, awoke to my neck turning almost all the way around and my arms twitching, then my body, and then my legs. I rememeber the entire thing... gasping for air and almost losing consiousness. I am currently taking 1500 mg. of Keppra and now will be increasing this dosage to 3000 mg.
I am 22, in perfect health... and now dealing with all of this. It is my knowledge that people that have grand mal seizures or tonic-clonic seizures, lose consciousness. Am I having some sort of different seizure, or what?!?! So confused...
Re: Can you be conscious for a grand mal seizure/tonic-clonic?
Submitted by iloveelbert on Tue, 2009-07-07 - 21:38
Absolutely! I was diagnosed with epilepsy 17 years ago. I've had countless grand-mal seizures. I was conscious for most of them. I hate it! I wish I could black out so I don't have to hear myself choaking on my saliva, feel and see me shake and watch the people around me. Blacking out is much easier! The seizure seems to last forever.
Remaining conscious or remembering the episode can still very much be a tonic/clonic seizure, at least in my case.
Hope that helps!
Absolutely! I was diagnosed with epilepsy 17 years ago. I've had countless grand-mal seizures. I was conscious for most of them. I hate it! I wish I could black out so I don't have to hear myself choaking on my saliva, feel and see me shake and watch the people around me. Blacking out is much easier! The seizure seems to last forever.
Remaining conscious or remembering the episode can still very much be a tonic/clonic seizure, at least in my case.
Hope that helps!