Are these seizures?

[MichelleMC]

Hello,

My husband at times stiffens up all over. When we go to church, especially we'll be sitting there quietly and I notice he does it more, or maybe it's easier for me to notice, being quiet and all. Anyway, his mouth will be in form of a sad face, but his face is stiffened. I noticed he moves a bit but following the moves is his body stiffening up. I know especially from being here before that siezures can take on all kinds of forms. He is not aware he is stiffening up, so I just found out tonight because I finally asked him. Could he be having some kind of seizure?? If not, then what other condition could cause someone to stiffen up? He does it at home a lot too, so it's not just at church. Thanks in advance.

[skillefer]

Hi Michelle! It could be a type of seizure...what kind of lighting is used in the church? And does he have similar "stiffening" episodes when exposed to the same type of lighting as at church? If so, it might be that he's photosensitive and the lighting is triggering his seizures.....or it could be something else triggering it....incense, etc...although most churches refrain from incense use unless it's Easter or Christmas.....

[MichelleMC]

Hi Michelle! It could be a type of seizure...what kind of lighting is used in the church? And does he have similar "stiffening" episodes when exposed to the same type of lighting as at church? If so, it might be that he's photosensitive and the lighting is triggering his seizures.....or it could be something else triggering it....incense, etc...although most churches refrain from incense use unless it's Easter or Christmas.....

Normally at church weekly there isn't incense. As for lights, I'm not sure how to describe the lighting in there, but at home, it's just a celing fan with four lights(well now they wen't out so two are working). I think it's just light bulbs in church, but I never really paid attention. So what do I do from here?

[Bee91]

At the church, they probably have flourescent lights, which can sometimes induce seizures.
But if it is happening with or without lights, I don't think you have much to worry about; just be aware of it.

[MichelleMC]

At the church, they probably have flourescent lights, which can sometimes induce seizures.
But if it is happening with or without lights, I don't think you have much to worry about; just be aware of it.

Bee,

I worry that if these are seizures and haven't been taken care of, what if he has a grand mal seizure while he's driving and he gets killed or injured or he kills someone else or injures them. Shouldn't we mention this to a doctor or something? I know with me, when I first developed epilepsy, I was 10 years old and it wasn't obvious because I have partial seizures where I remain conscious, so we all thought they were nervous twitches until I had my first grand mal seizure while I was driving. Thank goodness I was practicing for my road test so my father was with me and we were near a hospital. My husband though drives alone. This just scares me.

[brain]

I do have some problems not just with
lighting as posted below but with some
folks who have this "urgent desire of having
the need to drown themselves out with
cologne or perfume" (and to top it off,
when you are surrounded in such a large
mass of people; the mix between "el cheapos"
and expensive brand names, can just be
overwhelming) - and that alone and itself
can trigger off "E" (reflex seizures), hence
why I love that Vicks inhalers even when I
don't have a cold, because it drowns out
the smell.

Some people in there with health problems,
especially respiratory conditions or allergy
conditions - they have problems and suffers
too; and not to mention those who have
migraines and men with cluster headaches,
which the above would send them into "pits
of torture" - for such is supposed to be a
place of "Worship" (Regardless of what
religious preference / background it is,
Synagogue, Christianity, Hinduism, etc).
There should be a "fine-line" out of respect
for others who have come to worship.

That's just my ...

[skillefer]

Well Michelle, I'd suggest mentioning it to the doctor. And also watch and see if it also happens in other places with fluorescent lighting, like stores. If it does in places with fluorescent lighting, but not in places with standard lightbulbs (like home) then it might be that your hubby is photosensitive.

[MichelleMC]

Well Michelle, I'd suggest mentioning it to the doctor. And also watch and see if it also happens in other places with fluorescent lighting, like stores. If it does in places with fluorescent lighting, but not in places with standard lightbulbs (like home) then it might be that your hubby is photosensitive.

Thanks for the advice. Could it be something else not related to seizures I wonder?

[brain]

You can be light sensitive and not have Epilepsy;
but if this is something "NEW" or it just gradually
became an issue - I would recommend that a
Doctor's appointment to be scheduled!

It could be anything - from diabetics to high blood
pressure to vision to brain tumor to ??? or it could
be simply developing a light sensitivity but that would
have to be noted and monitored, but I would go for
a check-up and evaluation if he hasn't had one in
a long time!

[drarvindr]

GO TO A DOCTOR
Could be a seizure. I recommend you get to a doc and get him tested. Get an EEG , and if needed , an MRI. Discussing this and delaying investigations will not help. Get a thorough work up and see what comes up.How's his sugar level? Does he eat before going to church? hypoglycemia could set off a seizure , especially in diabetics. When he stiffens , is he conscious or does he blank out? There is a huge list of possible diagnoses and you should rule out the others first before settling on E.Is there a family history? Maybe you should ask a close co worker if he's seen similar patterns in the workplace. Tell him to avoid driving untill you are sure it's OK. Try and observe him around the house and see if anything else triggers similar responses. Tell your doctor about your suspicions of photosensitivity. They can check it out while doing the EEG. Here's hoping the tests go well .

[MichelleMC]

GO TO A DOCTOR
Could be a seizure. I recommend you get to a doc and get him tested. Get an EEG , and if needed , an MRI. Discussing this and delaying investigations will not help. Get a thorough work up and see what comes up.How's his sugar level? Does he eat before going to church? hypoglycemia could set off a seizure , especially in diabetics. When he stiffens , is he conscious or does he blank out? There is a huge list of possible diagnoses and you should rule out the others first before settling on E.Is there a family history? Maybe you should ask a close co worker if he's seen similar patterns in the workplace. Tell him to avoid driving untill you are sure it's OK. Try and observe him around the house and see if anything else triggers similar responses. Tell your doctor about your suspicions of photosensitivity. They can check it out while doing the EEG. Here's hoping the tests go well .

His insurance won't cover it until May. He has a preexisting condition of hypertension, and they told me he can't go to the doctor for the doctor to check for a certain condition until May which will be a year. They won't cover him. I don't quite know how long these have been going on, but it's been long enough. He does stiffen when he drives and he's fine, he drives normally. It seems like whenever he's in a sitting position, that's when he does it. He is not aware that he does it, but I wouldn't say he goes unconscious.

[stilldancing_98]

When he is not aware that is what they call unconscious. My son has seizures like that. Or that sound like that.There are grants and help. My son also has hypertention.If there is a university in your state you usually go to them and they will help you pay.

[brain]

There are places like she had posted, and there are
free clinics and then Hospitals cannot refuse care for
those who are unable to pay. Then there are those
that accepts patients on a sliding basics and on a
workable paying basics, and they have those who
can appoint a Social Worker / Case Manager that
can help find a program / assistance / aid - etc.

[MichelleMC]

When he is not aware that is what they call unconscious. My son has seizures like that. Or that sound like that.There are grants and help. My son also has hypertention.If there is a university in your state you usually go to them and they will help you pay.

My husband is on medicine for hypertension as well.

[stilldancing_98]

Yes, so is my son. He has ADHD to. So the med that he is on works for both.He only has one kidney. The other got so infected he peed it out a couple of years ago. They were going to do surgery.And then his body took care of itself. The other kidney doubled in size. But we have to watch it. And now they are saying his liver might be to small.