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Have you felt a seizure like this?

Mon, 11/11/2013 - 12:33
Hello all - I am new here to ask about something. My boyfriend is 22 yo male with a family history of seizures (mother is on medication for grand mal) and has been seeking treatment for severe sleep apnea. He has a BMI around 20 and does not drink or smoke and is on no medication. Recently, he began attending grad school and does not have health insurance except through his parents. Here is where it gets tricky - a month ago he was with me and had what I thought was a seizure. I walked into the room and he was just standing starting at the wall and was shaking, almost trembling. I got him to sit on the bed but could not move his limbs because they were really stiff and still shaking slightly. He could still talk to me and kept saying he was fine so in the moment I didn't think it could be a seizure. He also kept saying he was getting things but he didn't know what he was hearing, he only knew that he was terrified by whatever he was hearing. He was just staring at the washing machine (next to his bed) saying he was terrified but he didn't know why at all. And he kept saying don't think I'm crazy for hearing things. This lasted for a few minutes, tops, and then he stopped shaking and could move a little. But then it would start again after a couple minutes and last four twenty, maybe thirty seconds. This went on for like 15 minutes of being able to tell me he's fine and look at me to trembling and looking completely terrified but still cognizant of me - he said he could see me but it was like he could see something else that was terrifying but he couldn't name it. One of the last 'episodes' he had lasted about a minute but his eyes rolled back and he briefly lost mostconsciousness. It was so brief though and he kept saying don't worry I'm fine that I figured it was maybe a bad panic attack (I have those). Afterwards, I looked up online what this might be because I was really worried for him. I came across seizures as a possibility. Both of us know that the only way to know for sure is to go to the doctor and have tests done but he can't go to the doctor because although he is insured through his parents, that are refusing to let him get medical treatment for any of this (long story). After this, he's decided to drop out of grad school for the time being in order to figure his health out because it is making it impossible to function or complete work like he used to be able to. He's getting a job as soon as the semester is over in early December in order to be able to afford the health care he needs, but health insurance that he can use won't kick in immediately. In the meantime, my question is has anyone had seizures like this before? Where did you start, diagnostically speaking (who did you see)? He has had one episode lasting 30 seconds since then where his entire body clenched up and he couldn't move but it didn't happen multiple times, it was just once and then no more. Thanks ahead of time for any help! (Also apologies if this is in the wrong part of the forum!!)

Comments

Re: Have you felt a seizure like this?

Submitted by sillisent on Sun, 2013-11-17 - 12:32
Thanks for the response. He has been trying to contact a GP in this area who can try and work with him on a payment to get the tests done. He's trying to get Medicaid in order to get the testing done and get a job to at least afford that. I'm just glad someone else gets it. Thanks for the advice, I'll try to get the journal/diary started to bring that in. Thanks again!!

Re: Have you felt a seizure like this?

Submitted by just_joe on Sun, 2013-11-17 - 19:12

I need to let you know that GP's today can and some do diagnose but they also have sepcialists they work with or get information from. My GP or PCP uses specialists but he can also tell me what is wrong in some cases. My problem is he works at one hospital and my neurologist works at another. It wasn't easy getting them to work with each other. But I have had the same neurologists since 1970 and the PCP since 1997.

Generally if the GP has questions he will deal with it or send him (your friend) to a speicialist near his (the GP's) office.

The diary can be printed out but then it can also be brought up by the doctor if you give him permission. The information you put in it can help when making the diagnosis and it can help determine procedures or medications that can be used.

Hope he gets the care he is needing and do post with hte information. Many of us in here are doing this to help others learn to deal and live with epilepsy. I know it isn't easy but if he had dreams and goals he should keep them. He may have to take another road to achieve his goal but it can be done. In high school I was not allowed to work in any shop. So I took drafting. By the time I was a junior I could take a motor apart on paper. I could also take one apart and put it back together in our garague.

Just use what some people do not even think of and that is COMMON SENSE

Later

Joe

I need to let you know that GP's today can and some do diagnose but they also have sepcialists they work with or get information from. My GP or PCP uses specialists but he can also tell me what is wrong in some cases. My problem is he works at one hospital and my neurologist works at another. It wasn't easy getting them to work with each other. But I have had the same neurologists since 1970 and the PCP since 1997.

Generally if the GP has questions he will deal with it or send him (your friend) to a speicialist near his (the GP's) office.

The diary can be printed out but then it can also be brought up by the doctor if you give him permission. The information you put in it can help when making the diagnosis and it can help determine procedures or medications that can be used.

Hope he gets the care he is needing and do post with hte information. Many of us in here are doing this to help others learn to deal and live with epilepsy. I know it isn't easy but if he had dreams and goals he should keep them. He may have to take another road to achieve his goal but it can be done. In high school I was not allowed to work in any shop. So I took drafting. By the time I was a junior I could take a motor apart on paper. I could also take one apart and put it back together in our garague.

Just use what some people do not even think of and that is COMMON SENSE

Later

Joe

Re: Have you felt a seizure like this?

Submitted by sillisent on Sun, 2013-11-17 - 12:32
Thanks for the response. He has been trying to contact a GP in this area who can try and work with him on a payment to get the tests done. He's trying to get Medicaid in order to get the testing done and get a job to at least afford that. I'm just glad someone else gets it. Thanks for the advice, I'll try to get the journal/diary started to bring that in. Thanks again!!

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