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Seizures and Restraints

Sat, 11/27/2004 - 11:25
Can someone help me out here? This past weekend, I wound up at the hands of the EMTs of my area. My ride to the ER was a literal nightmare.My question is: Is it just this area of NJ or is it nationwide that EMTs believe that it's acceptable to use restraints on the patient of a seizure call? ALMOST EVERY SINGLE TIME they respond they seem to think that it's not only okay, but required, even when told not to by family or friends. At least in this instance, they didn't use the police officers' handcuffs! Usually were it not for the restraints, the aches and pains would be ending by now. My back feels like it was used for a trampoline, my shoulders feel as if they were dislocated and replaced and I have bruises that cannot be explained by any stretch of the imagination as resulting from a seizure.Any suggestions on enlightening them?

Comments

RE: Seizures and Restraints

Submitted by Karolwf on Wed, 2004-11-24 - 04:47

Your story sounds EXACTLY like mine. It is nationwide-- I have lived in many states and places and I will tell you I have not met anyone yet in the EMS or the FIRST ALERT service like the police that have any idea what is happening to me!! It is a nightmare. They have to learn that restraining only brings on trouble with a person having a seizure. IT is the last thing they need to do!!  Restraining only causes damage to the victum-- Us-- I have had bruises and almost had my colarbone broken. The last time I had EMS come I hurt so bad in my back for about a week I needed a chiropractor-- I have even had them dislocate my hip.  EDUCATION is the only cure for this BUT I do not know how to educate them unless you go yourself with information -- but will they be interested enough to listen? or even pay attention?  I really dont' think they care -- or even want to be bothered>  BUt they sure like the $1500 they get for the horror trip to the ER which also can be another nightmare in itself.  Sorry I sound so negative-- I am just tired of the abuse -- may be if we started to sue them for malpractice-- I do not know -- it is really sad to me

 

Karol from Minnesota

Your story sounds EXACTLY like mine. It is nationwide-- I have lived in many states and places and I will tell you I have not met anyone yet in the EMS or the FIRST ALERT service like the police that have any idea what is happening to me!! It is a nightmare. They have to learn that restraining only brings on trouble with a person having a seizure. IT is the last thing they need to do!!  Restraining only causes damage to the victum-- Us-- I have had bruises and almost had my colarbone broken. The last time I had EMS come I hurt so bad in my back for about a week I needed a chiropractor-- I have even had them dislocate my hip.  EDUCATION is the only cure for this BUT I do not know how to educate them unless you go yourself with information -- but will they be interested enough to listen? or even pay attention?  I really dont' think they care -- or even want to be bothered>  BUt they sure like the $1500 they get for the horror trip to the ER which also can be another nightmare in itself.  Sorry I sound so negative-- I am just tired of the abuse -- may be if we started to sue them for malpractice-- I do not know -- it is really sad to me

 

Karol from Minnesota

Re: Seizures and Restraints

Submitted by JenniferNJ on Wed, 2006-11-22 - 15:42
My name is Jennifer and I just found this site. My boyfriend of 5yrs has had epilepsy since he was 12(he's 39 now), and a couple of weeks ago I witnessed one of his seizures for the first time. I will admit it was scary because i never saw one before. Anyway I called 911 and when the cops got there he was sitting on the couch still in a dazed state but calm. See after he has his grandmal he goes into a post-ictal state. The cops asked him if he was ok and he didn't respond,(naturally). Next thing I knew he was face first in the couch being handcuffed and had a cops knee in his back. I told them not to do this and they didn't listen.When the paramedics got there they even asked as to why he was in handcuffs. His air was cut off and he started to panic. When he finally came to he was in the ambulance and complained of a hurt shoulder. He has torn ligaments. I find this to be very unnerving. You are calling 911 for help and they end up hurting the person more. We have talked to the Police Chief and pretty much the blame is being put on my boyfriend. FOR WHAT? HAVING A SEIZURE!!! This is just crazy. I agree that the first responders need to have more training on this subject. My boyfriend is just a wreck after this ordeal. He can't sleep because he just relives the whole incident. JenniferNJ

Re: Seizures and Restraints

Submitted by groovychick on Thu, 2006-12-07 - 05:41
its funny coz my uncle and i have seizures and when he has one we are told to keep clear but to make sure he cant hurt him sellf first. even the ambuleance crew when they arive the give him oxygen and then take one arm to do there test but the stay as far away as possible as you have to let his body deal with the seizure and restraining him would make it worse. and thats what i tell people to do if i have one because thats what the emergency people said to do with him and i just asume its the same for me. i think its weard that they restrain you. have you tried asking someone that was with you why they inseasted on restraining you? hope it gets a bit better in future siturations!

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