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service dog/ stay present and overt a gran mal
Wed, 08/15/2007 - 05:01Hey ya 'all crazies : ) I've had e for 7mos...It came on big and put me in the hospital for three weeks. A few months later I met a woman who's had it all her life and she told me that having someone say her name, touch her (rub her back, arm, head), and tell her to breath helped her stay present and not go into a full blown purple jerk attack. So, next time I started going into one my mom did exactly what she had suggested and I didn't go totally out. I stared, shook mildly, and breathed every once in a while (so I turned white). The next time she was there, did the same thing, and I breathed all the way through it... stared and only one hand shook. So, now the kicker. Yes you got it, the NEXT time I was with my dog, who I recently had certified as a service dog, I felt it coming on. I laid down next to him (we were in public and he had his vest on), I got the stares, my arm started shaking and I thought for sure I was going to black out. Nope, Cooper crawled up against me and kissed my arm and cheek. He kept me present. I'm so proud of him! So this trick may not work for everybody but I think it's important to get out there. I haven't seen anything in the literature nor has my neurologist said anything about touch and communication to help avoid a tonic-clonic... which I think is weird. So there's my share for the month.
Comments
Re: service dog/ stay present and overt a gran mal
Submitted by dave 44 on Wed, 2007-08-15 - 20:58
That is great it works for you. When I go into a grand -mal my left arm shoots out in a "halt" motion and I am concsious,but in a very altered way ,for 2 seconds at the most before I black out. So it wouldnt work for me. The feeling for that 2 seconds is impossible to describe. ..Here Ill try:
being electrocuted and losing your balance whist in a high place,its not pleasant ,ok?
Re: service dog/ stay present and overt a gran mal
Submitted by toriandbilly on Wed, 2007-08-15 - 08:06
This is my first post (I think) I was diagnosed on the 30th of July so very new to all of this stuff. Memory dreadful, am like some old biddie! I was very moved by your experience with your dog. I have a very special bond with my dog and he did, without any prompting from my boyfriend start to lick my spit away and give me licky kisses, unfortunately I was "out somewhere else" and oblivious to his efforts. I will tell my bf of your experience and ask him to rub my arm or something whilst I am "visiting my other world". Bill, will I am sure continue to give licky kisses when the opportunity arises.