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.

Does My mom have epilepsy????? Help!

Sun, 02/19/2006 - 22:16
My sister had her baby on Friday morning, and while we were all there seeing the baby in the labor room, my mother told me she didn't feel too good. She had missed a lot of sleep the night before like we all had. She looked pale and suddenly blanked out, not blacked out just blanked. I thought that she was trying to pass out because she was losing conscienceness then she'd rouse and sound very confused, all the while her eyes were open. She ended up blacking out completely with her eyes open and her breathing stopped and I really thought that she had died. I was shaking her and slapped her and asked her to stay with me to no avail. Being in the hospital, they immediately sent in emergency help and began working to get her roused. She did come to with out being revived,(she didn't die) but she had wet her pants and had a horrible head ache for the rest of the day, and seemed spacey. She seems fine now, but I'm just a bit frustrated because there was no cause or explanation given in the emergency room other than they thought she had just fainted. I've seen people pass out before, and it was not what I thought had happened. I wonder if this scene sounds familiar to any one, does anyone think that she had a seizure, if so what kind? and what can be done to help her now. I am scared because she is 67 years old and if this is her first seizure, why now and not years and years ago? I want to help her, I'm afraid this could happen again perhaps while she is driving or going upstairs, I don't want it to happen where she could get hurt. I was glad that I was there, and saw her in time to catch her, but what if it happens again? Any advice or help would be appreciated. Thank you CC

Comments

Re: Does My mom have epilepsy????? Help!

Submitted by guitarmomma on Thu, 2006-02-23 - 09:35
Congrats first Auntie on the new baby in your life.... I am sorry your mom had such a scary thing. Hoping she has now had tests to figure out exactly what is going on. G

Re: Re: Does My mom have epilepsy????? Help!

Submitted by happycat2 on Mon, 2006-03-06 - 16:26
Hi CC. My own answer in reply to you is ... Sometimes there is no known cause why seizures occur-no matter what age the first one happens. Even with the latest research, the brain is still largely unknown to us, yet the good news is treatments for epilepsy are still improving rapidly. Your mother should be reassured that modern medications are quite effective in controlling seizures if the cause is epilepsy. Along with knowing that now most patients can gain reasonable control over their seizures, or even become seizure-free. Old medications such as Carbatrol and Phenobarbital are being replaced, or used alongside new drugs. Today epilepsy is understood and scientifically managed better than in the past, testing methods have really improved. A diagnosis of epilepsy, just like a diagnosis of cancer or any other illness or disease, bringing along with it a parade of so many things to think about. One thing you and your mother need to think about is the need for tests to establish what's really happening here.… I'm no doctor or neuro-I don't want to be, and I don't know your family history, but fainting can be attributed to other causes than epilepsy. I do know that some things can't be fixed by talking alone. Has there ever been anyone that has had diabetes, or a history of heart trouble? If there has then these can and do overlap- and are factors you should think about also while you're wondering. I'm a mom with epilepsy, and if you were one of my kids, then I'd be grateful if you went looking for answers as you have, and hope the answers you found were the right ones. I realise you are still looking and wondering, and suggest you read and read more to enable you to enable your mother to understand what happened. http://www.geri.com/geriatrics/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=184866

Re: Does My mom have epilepsy????? Help!

Submitted by angel_lts on Mon, 2006-03-06 - 19:20
There could be a number of cause to have a seizure. THings like, low blood sugar, low sodium(is she on any meds that could have caused that)low magnesium, calcium, or iron and of these can cause seizures. Sorry to hear of this problem and congrad on the new baby. Take care Lisa http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/

Sign Up for Emails

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