Epilepsy on Today Show

[alivenwell]

During my CPR and anti-epileptic drug training, when somebody has a heart attack it is known that damage to the heart, and I imagine also the brain, starts after 10 minutes. I would totally agree with that 4 or 5 minute marker just to be pro-active. It is emphasized that CPR is started asap to keep oxygen flowing through the body. And, because that is an exhausting regimen, the certified technician should also call 911 asap to get help. I saved somebody's live with the Heimlich maneuver and also performed CPR. I should spend the money on an anti-epileptic drug (a device that shocks the heart to a regular rhythm). I knew of one person who died because that device was not readily available.

[brain]

http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=...0-c49dfd4f454b

Click on this link and you should be able to view it.

Thanks Tina!

[Tate]

1) For people who have a history of seizures, 911 is called after 5 minutes or if 2 or more seizures occur together.

2) For people who have no seiziure history, 911 is called after 3 minutes. A person having seizure lasting less than 3 minutes is automatically taken to the ER.

Hello All!!!!
I live in Australia..... So I don't know if what they teach they teach the same guidelines to follow, and if anything differs.

What Roncentaur has mentioned here in regards to getting help is how I was always informed..... I am wandering though I must say.... If the medical people that put these guidelines in place have experienced a 5 min sezuire... as I feel at 4 mins is enough to cope with.... for the person experiencing a seizure and the person who is witnessing the seizure especially if they are witnessing one for the first time to watch (As I have E and I still find sometimes watching someone having a seizure distressing.. So someone who hasnt must find it more so and 5 mins would seem like a very long time)

I know I have had several seizures lasting approx 5 mins and I know that it took a very long time to become lucid after which I think is also a concern for the person having and witnessing the seizure,

my friend not so long ago had never seen me have a seizure and I decided I would break her by letting her witness one of my biggest seizures ( very thoughtfull of me hey) I dislocated my shoulder when I hit the ground. she called 000 (equivalant to your 911) and explained that she had never seen anyone have a seizure and wanted to make sure what the guidelines were, whether I did in fact need an ambulance and what she needed look for as in the length of it, and recovery, if there was anything she needed to look for though she wanted to call for one in anycase due to my shoulder and face where I had split it open, she however had done everything she could have and did it all correctly, she just wanted to make sure she had done all she should have and if I did need to attend hospital she styaed with me until I had completly come to, helping me get back inside as I was out on the varandah laying on cold wet tiles she had made a bed up for me on the floor, she handled my moodiness ( i can be very irritable when comming to, as often if i move even the slightest I get a very very strong feeling as though I am going straight back into another seizure and I am very very nauseous.

she never never paniced,and was most calm and reassuring me, as I rend to be upset when I come to infact didnt even get upset, she even explained to her children whom are like my nieces, what was happening and what they needed to do for me especially if they were on their own if it happened kept them calm so they didnt get scared or upset... ( I am very lucky to have such a special friend, very supportive always helpful and very understanding) she even went and took first aid specializing in E... to see if there was anything else she could do the next time as she just wanted to care for me the best she possibly could... and took some of my other friends so if put in the same boat knew how to row.

The last seizure I had that was a tonic clonic was in hospital and they came to my aid before 5 mins as my dad was there..... so that was weird considering they tell us it is ok to be left for 5 mins when they do not practice the same... I would hope someone would call around 4 mins even 3 1/2 mins as mine are so severe and so violent... 4 -5 mins is alot to go also... if you ring at 5 mins help doesnt arrive in 30 sec so by waiting for 5 mins it could end up being alot longer in severe cases....

Sorry I have left such a long post in a mood yet again..


Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance

Every sixty seconds you spend upset, is a minute of happiness you'll never get back

Take care
Smile it might bounce back at you
Tate xx

[alivenwell]

Hello All!!!!
I live in Australia..... So I don't know if what they teach they teach the same guidelines to follow, and if anything differs.

What Roncentaur has mentioned here in regards to getting help is how I was always informed..... I am wandering though I must say.... If the medical people that put these guidelines in place have experienced a 5 min sezuire... as I feel at 4 mins is enough to cope with.... for the person experiencing a seizure and the person who is witnessing the seizure especially if they are witnessing one for the first time to watch (As I have E and I still find sometimes watching someone having a seizure distressing.. So someone who hasnt must find it more so and 5 mins would seem like a very long time)

I know I have had several seizures lasting approx 5 mins and I know that it took a very long time to become lucid after which I think is also a concern for the person having and witnessing the seizure,

my friend not so long ago had never seen me have a seizure and I decided I would break her by letting her witness one of my biggest seizures ( very thoughtfull of me hey) I dislocated my shoulder when I hit the ground. she called 000 (equivalant to your 911) and explained that she had never seen anyone have a seizure and wanted to make sure what the guidelines were, whether I did in fact need an ambulance and what she needed look for as in the length of it, and recovery, if there was anything she needed to look for though she wanted to call for one in anycase due to my shoulder and face where I had split it open, she however had done everything she could have and did it all correctly, she just wanted to make sure she had done all she should have and if I did need to attend hospital she styaed with me until I had completly come to, helping me get back inside as I was out on the varandah laying on cold wet tiles she had made a bed up for me on the floor, she handled my moodiness ( i can be very irritable when comming to, as often if i move even the slightest I get a very very strong feeling as though I am going straight back into another seizure and I am very very nauseous.

she never never paniced,and was most calm and reassuring me, as I rend to be upset when I come to infact didnt even get upset, she even explained to her children whom are like my nieces, what was happening and what they needed to do for me especially if they were on their own if it happened kept them calm so they didnt get scared or upset... ( I am very lucky to have such a special friend, very supportive always helpful and very understanding) she even went and took first aid specializing in E... to see if there was anything else she could do the next time as she just wanted to care for me the best she possibly could... and took some of my other friends so if put in the same boat knew how to row.

The last seizure I had that was a tonic clonic was in hospital and they came to my aid before 5 mins as my dad was there..... so that was weird considering they tell us it is ok to be left for 5 mins when they do not practice the same... I would hope someone would call around 4 mins even 3 1/2 mins as mine are so severe and so violent... 4 -5 mins is alot to go also... if you ring at 5 mins help doesnt arrive in 30 sec so by waiting for 5 mins it could end up being alot longer in severe cases....

Sorry I have left such a long post in a mood yet again..


Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance

Every sixty seconds you spend upset, is a minute of happiness you'll never get back

Take care
Smile it might bounce back at you
Tate xx

I have heard that oxygen deprivation is minimized if a person's collapsed on the floor. It's our body's coping mechanism until o2 is restored to a normal level.

The following Wikpedia site has a lot of information. The Treatment section caught my attention which ties in with other forums here. There is a link between a high glucose sugar level and seizures.
Here's the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_hypoxia#Treatment

[RobinN]

You make some very good points there Tate.
Not sure what it is like in Australia, but when 911 is called they are required to take the person to the ER. For us that has mostly been wasted time. A lot of needle jabs, and lack of rest. They just tell us to call Rebecca's doctor tomorrow.

We were given some ativan, but how does one take it when they are in the middle of a tonic clonic seizure. I hear they are coming out with an injectible soon.

Caught between a rock and a hard spot here.

[Tate]

You make some very good points there Tate.
Not sure what it is like in Australia, but when 911 is called they are required to take the person to the ER. For us that has mostly been wasted time. A lot of needle jabs, and lack of rest. They just tell us to call Rebecca's doctor tomorrow.

We were given some ativan, but how does one take it when they are in the middle of a tonic clonic seizure. I hear they are coming out with an injectible soon.

Caught between a rock and a hard spot here.

When we ring 000..... when can gain acess to ambulance service, fire brigade or police. If we are needing medical assistance they will send a ambulance and take you to the hospital...... if u have health cover (insurance) it is free.... it costs about $30 aus so prob $45 a year US to be covered if u have a pension or are on sickness or unemployment it is also free. and in queensland they charge u on your elecrticity bill once a year and everyone in that state is covered for free ambulance..!!!! good idea I reakon

the last time I went to hospital for a seizure and went through the emergency dpt.... I was given Clonazepam which worked very well ( and as a bonus aloud me to sleep as I never get one sec of sleep in the er) its in the diazapam family. I have been given other meds instead of that usually by either injection or by canula if it is in place, which the ambo's usually do if I have stopped seizing..

I have never been asked to see my doc the next day as treatment..... If Im not at home as I live in a very small town only about 2000 people... there is no neurologist when I was living in syd.. they would just get a neurologist that was on duty to come and check me....

I also always had to stay for observation, do the usual jabs as u mentioned, I have been sent home a few times rather quickly and wander why the medical staff told me that I should always come in.... meet and greet and retreat i told them.... (they never laugh I cant work out why) hehehe

other times I have gone they have done scans organised referals to specialists... and done everything and gone as far as massaging my calf muscles as I get severe cramping in my calves very often after a seizure..

I think it just often comes down to the staff sometimes or the hospitals bed availability and budget sad to say but i think it is true.... well where I am from in any case!!! but must sayI have been overall pretty lucky in my treatment which overall has been pretty good and my recent stay in a syd hospital they were absolutly amazing I dont think I could have gotten any better treatment from any where the nurses were so so so caring patient just like your sister or family member and couldnt have done more were efficant always there and the sweetest of people.... I couldnt have said a negative word about a single one of them... my eptoligist and surgeon work so well together they explained everything to me so clearly making things light but at the same time giving all the information that they should and making sure it is all understood..... they were never in a rush always sat and spoke not stared and poked.

[Tate]

I have heard that oxygen deprivation is minimized if a person's collapsed on the floor. It's our body's coping mechanism until o2 is restored to a normal level.

That is true, the body does do that, when I colapse when having a seizure, its purely from the seizure I have drop clonic tonics and they tend to be violent ones. and when I have dropped on the floor my seizure is ongoing..

It would be so good if I could manage to colapse when my muscles wern't in a seizure it would lower the injuries greatly. I cant remember how many dislocations I have had and sprains and several breaks.

Take care
Mwaahs
Tate

[alivenwell]

That is true, the body does do that, when I colapse when having a seizure, its purely from the seizure I have drop clonic tonics and they tend to be violent ones. and when I have dropped on the floor my seizure is ongoing..

It would be so good if I could manage to colapse when my muscles wern't in a seizure it would lower the injuries greatly. I cant remember how many dislocations I have had and sprains and several breaks.

Take care
Mwaahs
Tate

I agree. I've lived under the philosophy that one cannot fall from the floor. I have to have a warped sense of humor on this stuff.