At what point do you call an ambulance?

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Wobblez

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Hi all,

I generally only have simple and complex partials and i've heard some conflicting reports on when I should call an ambulance.

My GP has given me some Diazepam I can take if I feel a persistent aura. She says if 10mg doesn't help, then I should probably call the ambulance or head down to the hospital. However my Epileptologist said I should call an ambulance after 5 minutes but it's hard to tell the difference between an aura and that "feeling unwell" stage, and an actual partial. I always thought simple partials weren't that serious. Is sporadic small-muscle jerking classed as an actual seizure? What about the dull headache and reoccuring auras? Any comments?
 
A persistent aura is actually an ongoing simple partial seizure, so if it is happening for more than 5 minutes, then I'd say, yes, head to the ER.
 
Urgghhh...I was worried you might say that but thank you for your reply Cint. It can be hard to tell because they stop and start over a period of half an hour, even throughout the day. I usually wait till I have at least 2 symptoms before I classify it as more than just a warning sensation. For instance, the feeling in my head (aura), twitching, heaviness on my right side, especially my right arm for instance, stiffness in my jaw and neck.
 
I only have T/C's so if I have 1 and its short and i come right out and i seem ok its fine but if i go right back in then it gets dangerous im told and we should call the emts or go to hospital. I too have dizapem as an emergency med than my husband can adminster if neccessary. he has not had to yet. Although the last few times iv'e had seiziures i might have 1 or 2 t/c's and then i might have 1 like 2 hours later which is strange for me. This started happening about 8 months ago after a change in meds.

Tina
 
Cint said:
A persistent aura is actually an ongoing simple partial seizure, so if it is happening for more than 5 minutes, then I'd say, yes, head to the ER.
Click to expand...

I get auras for my simple partials, although I don't always have a simple partial afterwards, if that makes sense.
My Salford Royal neurologist did nothing when I was having a long aura due to my GP's surgery prescribing generic Topamax. I set up my camera that night to see if anything happened but found it knocked off the shelf when I woke up and nothing on it.
Do the above count as a situation where you should go to the ER?
Sorry for hijacking the thread but always wondered this.
 
The only time 911 get's called, or I go to the er is when I have a grand mal and don't come out of it with in a few minutes. That's only because I hardly ever have grand mals, maybe 1 a year.

Usually with any other type of seizure, no matter how long it lasts I don't go to the er. The only time I'll go is if I start doing something different than I do when I have a seizure. That's only because alot of times that will lead into a grand mal.
 
I've wondered this a lot myself.

My girlfriend only has T/C seizures in clusters about once a month. Usually more than one in a 24 hour period but seperated by hours. She comes around and will just want to sleep but 5 or so hours into sleeping she will have another one.

I hope I'm right in thinking that as long as they only last 45sec - 1min each and aren't immediately following each other, than there is no need to call an ambulance??

Obviously no one can really answer this considering repercussions of someone taking your advice and things not turning out so well.....
 
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:e:I only have TCs everyone that i know is aware that if my breathing slows or stops,if i injure myself it usually means the trip to the ER.Where I wake up later and ask what happened this time...:wave:
 
Well I just reached my point. My girlfriend has had 4 T/C seizures in the last 7 hours. I can normally handle it but they are too close together for my likings so I called the ambulance.
 
Hi Aaron, sounds like you definitely did the right thing if the frequency of your gf's seizures are out of the ordinary. It also sounds like she's lucky to have you :)
 
Yeah I figure it's best to call them if in doubt.

I'm still at home waiting to be able to call her. I'd like to go up and I'm sure she would like me there but we both know that it really just involves sitting around for hours on end until she is released. We've agreed that I won't go up until I've spoken to her and know what's going on.

I"m about to ring again as it's been about 30 mins since I last rang and they said she must be off having tests of some kind. Not sure what tests but the paramedics said she had a fever.

Going to be a long night.
 
Finally got to speak with her about an hour ago.

They are keeping her in overnight as she had another seizure up there. So that's 5 T/Cs in 11 hours hmmmm

I've had to go and get myself a drink to chill out. Man this stuff is so frustrating!
 
Aaron! I feel for you. My husband sure knows the waiting game too. Sounds like she has something else going on too besides her regular tonic clonics. 5 in 11 hrs sure are a lot. I hope you get some answers soon. Keep us up to date!
 
Just got back from the hospital. She was still in the emergency department, still waiting for a bed in a ward.

Will be seeing a neurologist up there who may re-evaluate her medication. She was still getting auras while I was there but none led into a full on seizure.

She sent me home, didn't want me just sitting around staring at the walls while she slept lol
 
Thank for the update aaron. You did the right thing getting her to the hospital. I hope you can get a little sleep now too.
 
I hope everything works out for the best Aaron!

I don’t got to the ER for aura’s, even the ones that last a while. I just try to ignore them, easier said than done. If they get really bad, I’ll let my doc know. I have only had 4 T.C’s and my wife insist on calling the paramedics. I’m not there, so I don’t know what it’s like for her.
 
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