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.

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 Briguy707 on Sun, 2011-07-31 - 20:36
Hi   all..  i`m Brian , Had epilepsy for about 25 yrs       As for having them in sleep   only recently started having them in my sleep within maybe past 3-5 yrs...  maybe not extremely intense as say  gran-mal or so.. but  others told me  had   and   i remember right be fore falling asleep started feeling it...

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

Submitted by cmac69 on Thu, 2011-11-03 - 02:04
I had a seizure in my sleep a grande mal.  This was controlled by meds but now I have sleepwalking episodes but because of the past the doctors dont believe me it is very frustrating as I used to be a trucker before the episodes from 1996 to 99 and have no career now at 42. I have not had a seizure for 3 years but they call my sleepwalking seizures ang it costs me driving priveleges over and over even though I have to be asleep for anything to happen,,, Any thoughts helpful. Thanks

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

Submitted by dmadchatr on Fri, 2012-06-15 - 12:54
Glad I'm not alone .. thought I was crazy!  Hi all, was searching up seizures in the sleep .... spent the day in the hospital yesterday after waking up ... I'm pretty sure I had a seizure ... then stumbled around upstairs hitting walls and running back and forth (in sleep or seizure mode) until my kids called for my husband.  Today I am so sore .. but all tests at the hospital came back clear and good ... they listed it as "state of confusion" ...  though after wandering around, I didn't know where I was, what day it was or what my last name was!  Not to mention the severe headache and muscle aches .. from my jaw to my calves!  More than a state of confusion if you ask me .... but I'm in no hurry to be officially diagnosed!  =(

I am 41 years old ..... I've had a few light episodes that fit the descrip of partial complex seizures, but nothing on record to date. 

So what are the doctors saying NOW .... ?  My son is epileptic and got his license back after 3 months.  I would think you could petition the DMV if you've gone so long without an episode.  The paperwork they need is on their website ... it's a medical re-evaluation (I"m not sure what state you are in or I'd send you a link!).  But if you are still experiencing sleep seizures .. I wonder if you need to be on different meds????  Just a thought. 


Good luck!  I KNOW HOW FRUSTRATING it can be!!!!!!!  Hang in there! 

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.