I believe I had a seizure. I was shopping with my young girls, when I got very dizzy and fell. My girls say I was shaking and grunting. Someone called an ambulance and they took me to the hospital. I don't remember anything after that first feeling of getting dizzy, and then waking later in the hospital. My husband says I was conscious at the mall, but very incoherent, and did'nt recognize him or my girls. The paramedics said I was having a seizure. I did'nt get any sleep the night before, even though I had taken a sleeping pill, and I was having my period, as well. Right now, I am terrified. I can't sleep, I have never been so scared in my whole life. I just want to cry and cry, I feel too scared to do anything but lay down in bed. Please help me.
I am so scared
- Thread starter alison123
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Hi Alison 123, I am sorry to hear what is happening to you.
It is one of the hardest things to go through, being scared, and the unknown.
My seizures are nothing like that. But there are all likes of seizures.
I hope you have an appt. with a neur.
This forum has been a great to me, so I want to encourage to go into other areas in this forum.
I haven't been any help, I hope will find some the information that will help you.
If I read you post correctly, you didn't much sleep the night before, usually a lack of sleep is a trigger for me and also others.
It is one of the hardest things to go through, being scared, and the unknown.
My seizures are nothing like that. But there are all likes of seizures.
I hope you have an appt. with a neur.
This forum has been a great to me, so I want to encourage to go into other areas in this forum.
I haven't been any help, I hope will find some the information that will help you.
If I read you post correctly, you didn't much sleep the night before, usually a lack of sleep is a trigger for me and also others.
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Hi alison123, welcome to CWE.
I definitely understand your fear and anxiety. A first-time seizure is very disorienting and scary. It is also a fairly common event -- and many people have just one seizure and never have one again. If you don't have a history of seizure disorders in your family, and no other unusual symptoms, then this may well be a one-off event for you. It's possible the combo of the sleeping pill and your period may have been a trigger. (Fatigue is the #1 seizure trigger, and hormones can play a role too).
Did they do any tests at the hospital? Were you given any medications or instructions? At this point, you should have a referral to a neurologist and/or an EEG to see if anything in particular is going on. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask them here.
Best,
Nakamova
I definitely understand your fear and anxiety. A first-time seizure is very disorienting and scary. It is also a fairly common event -- and many people have just one seizure and never have one again. If you don't have a history of seizure disorders in your family, and no other unusual symptoms, then this may well be a one-off event for you. It's possible the combo of the sleeping pill and your period may have been a trigger. (Fatigue is the #1 seizure trigger, and hormones can play a role too).
Did they do any tests at the hospital? Were you given any medications or instructions? At this point, you should have a referral to a neurologist and/or an EEG to see if anything in particular is going on. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don't hesitate to ask them here.
Best,
Nakamova
survivor
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Hi! dont worry so much and consult a good neurologist. May be it was just a seizure due to fatigue!One recent study that followed patients for an average of 8 years found that only 33 percent of people have a second seizure within 4 years after an initial seizure. People who did not have a second seizure within that time remained seizure-free for the rest of the study. So have patience and go to the doctor! Every thing will turn out well!
vanessa1148
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Hi Alison. I'm new too. I had my first witnessed seizure on Friday, in front of my boss. Like yourself, I am scared too so I know how you feel. Funnily enough, I was having my period as well. Be assured that we are all with you and get more info from your doctor.
thank you
Thank you all for your kind words. I am still terrified, but I am trying to calm down. Many people in my church are praying for me, which is helping. I will try to go see a neurologist as soon as I can get an appointment. In the meantime, is there anything I can do to try to avoid ever having another seizure? So far, I know I should try to get sleep and keep hydrated. What else should I be doing? thank you all again,
Alison
Thank you all for your kind words. I am still terrified, but I am trying to calm down. Many people in my church are praying for me, which is helping. I will try to go see a neurologist as soon as I can get an appointment. In the meantime, is there anything I can do to try to avoid ever having another seizure? So far, I know I should try to get sleep and keep hydrated. What else should I be doing? thank you all again,
Alison
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Do you take sleeping pills often? You might want to double-check the brand and/or talk to your doctor about potential side effects with long-term use. If you suffer from insomnia, ask the neurologist about having a sleep study done -- sometimes there are issues with sleep (like sleep apnea) that can cause other health issues.
Otherwise, being generally healthy and moderate is a good way to help your system stay stable. That means eating and drinking healthily, avoiding excessive caffeine, alcohol, staying away from stressful activities and situations. Different individuals have different triggers, so not everything is necessarily a no-no. But in the absence of more concrete info right now, it doesn't hurt to play it safe. There's some more info here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/
I hope you don't have any more symptoms or episodes, but if you do experience anything unusual, make a note of it. Start making a list of questions/concerns for the neurologist too. It doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Otherwise, being generally healthy and moderate is a good way to help your system stay stable. That means eating and drinking healthily, avoiding excessive caffeine, alcohol, staying away from stressful activities and situations. Different individuals have different triggers, so not everything is necessarily a no-no. But in the absence of more concrete info right now, it doesn't hurt to play it safe. There's some more info here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/
I hope you don't have any more symptoms or episodes, but if you do experience anything unusual, make a note of it. Start making a list of questions/concerns for the neurologist too. It doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Endless
Even Keel
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Alison,
I'm so sorry you are going through all this. A seizure can be really scary, especially that wait until you see a neurologist and get a diagnosis.
There are a lot of different triggers for a seizure. It sounds like yours was the perfect storm. All at once your hormones are changing, you didn't get any sleep, you took a sleeping pill, and you may have some other things going on, too. (Like alcohol the night before or caffeine). Whatever you did the night before and that day that might be a seizure trigger, you may want to avoid until you see the neurologist.
A big hug to you, and serious words that everything is going to be okay. It takes more than one seizure to be diagnosed with epilepsy. Most people who have a siezure have just one.
If you do have epilepsy, there are drug, non-drug, and as a last resort surgical treatments that are effective for the vast majority of the people. Also, most people tolerate their seizure meds fairly well with few side effects. So don't let the posts in here scare you. The people with the most problems tend to congregate in here to lend support to each other. Everyone else is skipping merrily on their way.
Please, be comforted. Don't borrow trouble you don't have yet. Wait and see what the neurologist has to say. Your primary care doc might be able to make a call and get you in to see the neuro sooner.
I'm so sorry you are going through all this. A seizure can be really scary, especially that wait until you see a neurologist and get a diagnosis.
There are a lot of different triggers for a seizure. It sounds like yours was the perfect storm. All at once your hormones are changing, you didn't get any sleep, you took a sleeping pill, and you may have some other things going on, too. (Like alcohol the night before or caffeine). Whatever you did the night before and that day that might be a seizure trigger, you may want to avoid until you see the neurologist.
A big hug to you, and serious words that everything is going to be okay. It takes more than one seizure to be diagnosed with epilepsy. Most people who have a siezure have just one.
If you do have epilepsy, there are drug, non-drug, and as a last resort surgical treatments that are effective for the vast majority of the people. Also, most people tolerate their seizure meds fairly well with few side effects. So don't let the posts in here scare you. The people with the most problems tend to congregate in here to lend support to each other. Everyone else is skipping merrily on their way.
Please, be comforted. Don't borrow trouble you don't have yet. Wait and see what the neurologist has to say. Your primary care doc might be able to make a call and get you in to see the neuro sooner.
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Hi Alison,
The first seizure is a scary thing, especially in a public place with your two young ones. Hopefully you can get in to see a neuro very soon and get proper testing done. Make sure to mention all medication you're taking and that you were on your period when it happened. There are a type of seizures effected by this called catamenial seizures...but don't jump to conclusions just yet. And get plenty of rest, stay calm (easier said than done).
The first seizure is a scary thing, especially in a public place with your two young ones. Hopefully you can get in to see a neuro very soon and get proper testing done. Make sure to mention all medication you're taking and that you were on your period when it happened. There are a type of seizures effected by this called catamenial seizures...but don't jump to conclusions just yet. And get plenty of rest, stay calm (easier said than done).
Not sure what is going on...
I saw my regular doctor today, and she thinks I just fainted, and basically not to worry about it. I'm still very scared and think from what happened, it sounds more like a seizure? What happened was, I was shopping in Target. I remember saying, "I feel dizzy", grabbing a clothing rack, and that's it. The next thing I remember I was in the hospital. I don't remember the ambulance, paramedics, etc. The paramedics said to my husband, "she's having a seizure", but later the doctor in emergency told me that he thought I just fainted, that it was'nt a seizure. My daughters said I shook for about 10 seconds, and sort of "snored like dad does". The paremedics asked me if I knew who my husband and daughters were, and I said no. Another thing I just found out....my mom said fainting (but maybe more than fainting?) runs in her family...her dad (my grampa) used to faint alot. I am very confused, and not sure what to do next. I have been reading all the information I can get my hands on, in this site, and in others. Thank you to everyone who is helping me here....you have no idea how alone I feel (you probably do actually), and your words are so helpful to me.
I saw my regular doctor today, and she thinks I just fainted, and basically not to worry about it. I'm still very scared and think from what happened, it sounds more like a seizure? What happened was, I was shopping in Target. I remember saying, "I feel dizzy", grabbing a clothing rack, and that's it. The next thing I remember I was in the hospital. I don't remember the ambulance, paramedics, etc. The paramedics said to my husband, "she's having a seizure", but later the doctor in emergency told me that he thought I just fainted, that it was'nt a seizure. My daughters said I shook for about 10 seconds, and sort of "snored like dad does". The paremedics asked me if I knew who my husband and daughters were, and I said no. Another thing I just found out....my mom said fainting (but maybe more than fainting?) runs in her family...her dad (my grampa) used to faint alot. I am very confused, and not sure what to do next. I have been reading all the information I can get my hands on, in this site, and in others. Thank you to everyone who is helping me here....you have no idea how alone I feel (you probably do actually), and your words are so helpful to me.
Endless
Even Keel
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You still may want to see a neurologist, or have your primary care doc order an eeg. If you had a seizure it sounds like it was a generallized one (involved the whole brain). If that's the case, the fact you had a seizure would probably show up on the eeg. That would settle things.
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I agree that your description sounds like a seizure, and it's definitely worth getting checked out properly. The "snoring" is also common immediately after a generalized seizure -- in fact it's one method used to distinguish epileptic seizures from non-epileptic ones.