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Mom with real PTSD after seeing childs first seizure

Wed, 08/09/2017 - 14:18
Hi, My 14 y.o. daughter passed out on the beach this past Sunday and was unresponsive. One minute she was standing and the next I turn to speak to her and she was on the ground unresponsive. When I went to her calling her name she was in full seizure for the first time ever. It's called Generalized tonic-clonic seizure or Grand Mal Seizure. She was not responding and when the ambulance arrived and she became a bit responsive she couldn't see or remember anything! Not me, not the date, being on the beach or even her own name! We are in the process of appointments and testing but I am totally freaking out and feel like I'm losing it when I'm trying and needing to be the strongest! She's ok for now but she's going through anxiety because she cannot remember what happened. She got vision back after 10-15 minutes and came to completely about an hour and 20 minutes later. She was in what the doctor said was a postictal state. I need help because I'm in denial, depression, horrified and I cannot get my mind to stop recapping the moment and it's really effecting me. Any support advice is greatly appreciated.

Comments

that's a lot to process! you

Submitted by Amy Jo on Wed, 2017-08-09 - 17:48
that's a lot to process! you sound completely normal, if that helps. staying in that state long term is detrimental but short term issues are almost unavoidable. you need to be a different resource for your daughter tho'. you can be honest that you'll be there and can support her but it's going to be a journey/process/?? (sometimes with positive progress, other times not).  the first step is to start the tests. the tests are not always definitive (frustrating but that can be better in terms of prognosis). depending on the tests, they may do other tests. the more you know, the better decisions will be but don't beat yourself up over making decisions on best available but incomplete info, everyone is dealt a slightly different hand. your daughter is at an age where she can express her wishes and interact with her docs. this is a good opportunity to push skills supporting her own independence as it's going to take some practice and she'll be a legal adult in a short while.they likely will be able to determine if she has a primary generalized epilepsy or had partials that generalized. the more they can figure out, the better in terms of processing this new reality.you should ask if she might need emergency medication (aim for intranasal or buccal options if available as the other option is less easy in public and teens are very sensitive).you will probably have issues working with your school, it's a definite 504 but meds can complicate schooling sometimes. it's something to ask docs about but also explore resources within your district if someone can help you navigate that system - and know district employees are not always upfront with best/correct info. wrightslaw.com is a good resource if it comes to that.for your own issues, talking about this with a therapist is a good way to keep the issues from adding stress to your daughter's life - stress is a common trigger for seizure conditions. focus on getting good sleep, exercise and eating well helps everyone stay more resilient.

sound like a normal mother to

Submitted by just_joe on Wed, 2017-08-09 - 21:53
sound like a normal mother to me. My Mom didn't see my first but she kinds of lost it when I had a convulsive focal seizure. She learned a lot and so did Pete (step father who tried to hold me down rather then moving the coffee table.. You have started a trip and it will not be an easy one but it could be short or long depending on the neurologist and discussions with them. Always ask questions. Amy Jo says a lot.

Talking about it helps but it

Submitted by Lifesa on Fri, 2017-08-11 - 10:06
Talking about it helps but it's not going to go away anytime soon.

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