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Can you be conscious for a grand mal seizure/tonic-clonic?

Tue, 07/07/2009 - 19:52

A 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...

Comments

Re: Can you be conscious for a grand mal seizure/tonic-clonic?

Submitted by Marsha Cash on Thu, 2009-12-03 - 22:47
MC i am aware of what peopel are saying.  I have simple partials and will suddenly out of nowhere fall.  My husband says i have this distal look in my eyes and they roll upward.  i feel like i have no body.  I can not feel myself.  I can hear my head hit the ground or bounce but i can not feel it.  It's like i am in a building that is falling down and i am watching from inside as it crumbles.  I am always afraid i will not come out of this locked in state.  i can't move or talk.  It seems like it is forever but it can last as little as 30 sec to 2-3 minutes.  I have not awarness of my own breath.  Does any one else have this type of seizure?

Is this a drop siezure? Or

Submitted by KathleenBradley on Thu, 2019-07-25 - 01:18
Is this a drop siezure? Or cataplexy?

Re: Can you be conscious for a grand mal seizure/tonic-clonic?

Submitted by Terribee on Fri, 2009-12-04 - 00:13

When I have my seizures (which are also around the time I fall asleep or shortly thereafter) I go in and out of consciousness.  I remember seeing my husband looking at me and apparently I tell him that I love him. Everything seems like it's in slow motion.  I know what's going on--that's the strange and scary part. I always wonder how I can stop the seizure from continuing.  I feel trapped in my own body--unable to catch my breath, clenching my hands, my body stiff.  I'm on 3000 of Keppra and 450 Lamictal. 

 It would be interesting to find out if there is anything a person can do to slow down a seizure?? I'm not up-to-date with the latest technologies or theories--is there anything a person could try or look into? 

I hope everything goes well with you,

Terri 

When I have my seizures (which are also around the time I fall asleep or shortly thereafter) I go in and out of consciousness.  I remember seeing my husband looking at me and apparently I tell him that I love him. Everything seems like it's in slow motion.  I know what's going on--that's the strange and scary part. I always wonder how I can stop the seizure from continuing.  I feel trapped in my own body--unable to catch my breath, clenching my hands, my body stiff.  I'm on 3000 of Keppra and 450 Lamictal. 

 It would be interesting to find out if there is anything a person can do to slow down a seizure?? I'm not up-to-date with the latest technologies or theories--is there anything a person could try or look into? 

I hope everything goes well with you,

Terri 

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