How does my family handle a seizure?

[Sheripark]

Gosh I was thinking....I have only had awake seizures but I am learning from this forum that I could have a grand mal. I worry, especially with upcoming medicine changes (my hair is falling out and I am still having seizures). Anyways, if I should have "a big one" what does my family do? Do we call 911? Put me on my side etc? I remember as a kid we were taught to put something in their mouth to keep them from biting their tongue! Of course that seems dangerous now and would be a choking hazard. Honestly, I'm ignorant. I was reading a post out here earlier that said she turns blue during hers and that's ok???? What??? Can someone give me the protocol?

Thanks!

 

[epileric]

Times have definitely changed. NEVER put anything in the persons mouth & don't worry about them swallowing their tongue.

This is the protocol from an addiction clinic but seizures should be handled the same way regardless what triggers them. Just think of your family as "Staff".

http://mcdc.mt.gov/policyprocedures/seizureprotocol.pdf

I Know Nakamova is knowledgeable on the topic. She may have something to add.

 

[Nakamova]

Here's the scoop:

WHAT HAPPENS IN A TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE:
The person goes stiff, loses consciousness and then falls to the ground. This is followed by jerking movements. A blue tinge around the mouth is likely (and normal -- this is due to irregular breathing.) Loss of bladder and/or bowel control may happen. After a minute or two the jerking movements should stop and consciousness may slowly return.

DO:
-- Protect the person from injury - (remove harmful objects from nearby)
-- Cushion their head
-- Aid breathing by gently placing them on their side once the seizure has finished
-- Stay with the person until recovery is complete
-- Let the person know what has happened, and reassure them

DON'T:
-- Restrain the person’s movements
-- Put anything in the person’s mouth
-- Try to move them unless they are in danger
-- Give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
-- Attempt to bring them round

CALL AN AMBULANCE IF:
-- You know it is the person’s first seizure
-- The seizure continues for more than five minutes
-- One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between seizures
-- The person is injured during the seizure
-- You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

 

[Belinda1961]

Sheri

Your family should know what to do when you have a seizure and why do they always call 911? You can call 1-800-EFA-1000 and get them info on what to do for your seizures.
They definitely do aren't suppose to put something in your mouth.They need put something like a pillow under your head and so you don't choke they can turn you on your side.
Belinda

 

[Sheripark]

Thank you all! Exactly what I needed!

 

[petero]

the best things that have happened to me with my TCs are people leaving me alone and letting me deal with them (as long as I'm "ok") and giving me breadth to cope with them. Now that my family has experience with them they're more aware to be calm.

The worst things that have happened are a lot of commotion, noise, clamor (being in an ER postictal was very traumatic), bright light, people prodding me, moving me around...

as was said - never put anything in the mouth

as a relatable experience, for me it has been a lot like being s**tfaced drunk/hungover for up to a few hours (I'm a recovering alcoholic almost 8 years sober, whee!). Preferably I like to remain still and be left alone to recuperate. Thankfully I've never had a seizure in a very public environment that would have required me to be moved around much or be looked at by a lot of people, etc. I've had a relative sense of my environment after a little while, but have a very hard time interacting with the environment, but my mind still processes information and I have a stubborn mind in general, so having a lot happen TO me without my input has been very distressing to me in the past.

 

[Belinda1961]

I have had ppl try get me go to the E/R because my head was bleeding, or they stopped a police car and tried get him make me go. I've had my head busted open and had ppl walk right by me like I was a drunk.

Belinda

 

[Sheripark]

Oh gosh Belinda that's awful��

 

[Belinda1961]

Sheri,
it seems a lot of people in today's world don't care.
When I've told ppl what to do for my sz's they were surprised you didn't put anything in the mouth but thanked me for the info most of them.

Belinda

 

[petero]

Sheri,
it seems a lot of people in today's world don't care.
When I've told ppl what to do for my sz's they were surprised you didn't put anything in the mouth but thanked me for the info most of them.

Belinda

that's so odd that the medical protocol has changed - because the first thing I tend to do when I find someone sleeping is start jamming things into their mouth, I don't know why it's not the same for seizures </sarcasm>
:banana:

 

[Belinda1961]

It just seems to have taken the medical profession longer when it comes to seizures.

people have injured themselves plenty of times because of the good intentions of others.

For years I had a tongue depressor over my hospital bed when I was in the hospital.
Belinda

 

[Cint]

Here's the scoop:

WHAT HAPPENS IN A TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE:
The person goes stiff, loses consciousness and then falls to the ground. This is followed by jerking movements. A blue tinge around the mouth is likely (and normal -- this is due to irregular breathing.) Loss of bladder and/or bowel control may happen. After a minute or two the jerking movements should stop and consciousness may slowly return.

DO:
-- Protect the person from injury - (remove harmful objects from nearby)
-- Cushion their head
-- Aid breathing by gently placing them on their side once the seizure has finished
-- Stay with the person until recovery is complete
-- Let the person know what has happened, and reassure them

DON'T:
-- Restrain the person’s movements
-- Put anything in the person’s mouth
-- Try to move them unless they are in danger
-- Give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
-- Attempt to bring them round

CALL AN AMBULANCE IF:
-- You know it is the person’s first seizure
-- The seizure continues for more than five minutes
-- One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between seizures
-- The person is injured during the seizure
-- You believe the person needs urgent medical attention

or if the person has diabetes and goes into a seizure..........

I'm one of those person's who has had TC's in public and 911 has been called several times. They say I turn blue in the face every time I have one, so it is something that happens with TC seizures. I've been status (seizure for more than 5 minutes) one of those times.