Sometimes, despite the best treatment, a situation can develop that requires emergency medical help. For example, clusters of seizures may start occurring closer together or seizures last longer than normal. It’s important to talk to your doctor about when emergency help should be called for you.

On your Seizure Plan, check off each reason that pertains to your situation. You may have all the boxes checked or your doctor may want to write in specific instructions under the “other “category.

If you are completing the form in My Epilepsy Diary, some boxes will already be checked. You can uncheck those that you and your doctor feel do not pertain to you as well as add individualized instructions.

Here are some of the situations that may require emergency medical care:

• A generalized seizure that lasts for longer than 5 minutes
• Two or more seizures without recovering (or coming to) between seizures
• ‘As needed’ treatments don’t work
• Injury occurs or is suspected, or seizure occurs in water
• Breathing, heart rate, or behavior doesn’t return to normal
• Unexplained fever or pain that occurs hours or within the first few days after a seizure
• Seizures during pregnancy
• Other instructions from your doctor

Make sure that you, your doctor and your family agree on when to call for emergency help. Also remember that the information listed here is for general guidance – there may be times when someone doesn’t feel comfortable with how you look after a seizure or what has happened. When in doubt about what to do, it’s always a good idea to call for emergency help and let the rescue team check you out and take you to a hospital if needed.

Continue to Reviewing My Seizure Plan

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Revisions: Robert Fisher, MD, and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN

April 2010