911 aed

[Ann T.]

Hi, Everyone
I overheard a conversation between a school nurse & a teacher regarding a student who has epilepsy & how to give an emergency anti-epileptic drug (Diastat?) to her: the med is inserted rectally. Rather than being inserted rectally, I think the emergency anti-epileptic drug should be given through a shot in the arm or by an EpiPen. What do you think? ~Ann T.

[RobinN]

I think there is one that is going to be put on the market soon. It wasn't ready the last time I researched it.

There is also ativan but that goes under the tongue. Not easy to do when the seizure is in progress. Plus I think it takes about 20 min for it to work.

Can you imagine how embarrassing the rectal med would be? I doubt my daughter would ever want to go back to school again.

[haird18]

Robin,

About a year or so ago there was a rescue shot or something like that put on the market. But so many Dr.s' say it is not the best thing out there right. Not very many dr.s will prescribe it either! Diastast was suppose to me a good seizure rescue for epilepsy
David

[salright2baredneck]

A few years ago I took care of my dying M-I-L and they gave me Ativan in a cream form to rub on her wrists, behind her knees, or inner elbow when she started getting upset or agitated. It seemed to work immediately, calming her down and making her sleepy within minutes. Wonder if something like that would work?

[RobinN]

It seems to be a very strong pharmaceutical. I was told Rebecca would not be able to function normally for sometime after, if she were given it. Usually within 30-60 min she is able to go back to class. Perhaps not to be mentally challenged, but at least she can get the assignments and not have an absence. The stress of missing classes is compounding with this disorder.

[brain]

Hi, Everyone
I overheard a conversation between a school nurse & a teacher regarding a student who has epilepsy & how to give an emergency anti-epileptic drug (Diastat?) to her: the med is inserted rectally. Rather than being inserted rectally, I think the emergency anti-epileptic drug should be given through a shot in the arm or by an EpiPen. What do you think? ~Ann T.

What you had implied above is an emergency
anti-epileptic drug ~ I had the Diastat kit, but
it had never been used. My Neurologist then
reverted to Ativan instead. Pretty much the
Medics here if necessary, would use Ativan
only if instructed to do so.

NOW ....

Different individuals react to anti-epileptic drug
differently; so just like I have allergic reactions
and severe side effects to specific certain
anti-epileptic drugs - it's highly possible that
child may be in the same situation
where Diastat is the best option and
method for that child.

Just like some old anti-epileptic drugs,
they are still around in spite of some of
the side effects, hazards, and other things;
but they work for that specific individual without
any problem(s) and/or side effects.

I've posted this many times:

We are all like snowflakes, every one of us are
unique. Likewise, the anti-epileptic drug or
anti-epileptic drugs - they are all set up
and tailored to each and every one of us
personally and individually. This is one
heck of a job for a Neurologist / Epileptologist
having to go through - finding the right medication
or medications just for that specific person; all
which takes trial and error, patience and time!

So what "may be a great suggestion" or an
"awesome idea" may not work for that specific
child / adult. One of the 'helpless' things in dealing
with Epilepsy / Epilepsies - when one has wonderful
suggestions / ideas ~ but it just cannot be used!

[brain]

Can you imagine how embarrassing the rectal med would be? I doubt my daughter would ever want to go back to school again.

They are supposed to put a towel or blanket or
sheet over the person and have the people / crowd
AWAY from the individual who's seizing for privacy's
sake:

The teacher can have the class dismissed and seated
in the hallway immediately if necessary if it's in the
classroom. If in the lunchroom, and the child is light-
weight, they can carry the child behind the curtain on
the stage platform even though the seizures are going
on, there is a way to carry a child out of harms way and
out of 200-300 children's view in a hurry! But for an
older child - such as a teen or an adult; such they have
towels and these teens / adults are a lot more mature
and will move out of the way when instructed to in a hurry
and more often than not - will often ask if assistance is
needed?

I had several seizures during School including a "Grand
Mal" (Tonic Clonic) when I was in High School where my
Principal had ordered several of the Wrestlers to carry me
to the Clinic; which I had no knowledge of it - for all of this
was told to me when I returned back to School. That one
at Senior High was a strange experience because I had
no memory of being IN School nor LEAVING School, but
yet, I remember vaguely being in the Clinic and wondering
how I got there?

But then again, I wasn't on any anti-epileptic drug but should had
been on some type, but never was put on anything! It
is a long story - but that is dinosaur years ago!

[Bernard]

I have tried the rectal Diastat a few times with Stacy. It did not work at all for her.

Paramedics have given her Versed (a sedative) via IV enroute to the ER several times too, but I don't think that ever really affected her seizure activity (though it did make her sleepy in the ER).

Ativan seems to work most of the time, but she can only get that at the ER AFAIK.

[RobinN]

I have a vial of Ativan in my medicine cabinet Bernard. The neurologist prescribed it, just in case, but I am uneasy about giving it to the school.

[skillefer]

I agree.....I'd rather get an emergency anti-epileptic drug via epileptologist-pen or injection...how embarrassing....