i have a question about partial seizures

[MaggieQuern]

This past week I've had numerous partial seizures, all while being alert. One day I had 6 back to back. Should I have called 911 about that? Well, what I'm really asking is, with partial seizures, is there an "amount" that you should look out for and if after that number you need to call 911? My dad has no idea and my doctor doesn't talk to me about this stuff, even though he should. Even though I've had this for almost 3 years now, I guess I don't really know as much as I should. My mom was always there, but she passed away in March and I feel lost with no where to turn to.

 

[masterjen]

That's really rough that you lost the main support person in your life. My Mum is mine, too, and I cannot imagine if she wasn't around.
There is not much that would have been done in the ER. As long as you were stable and the seizures had stopped, they would most likely have sent you home and told you to contact your neurologist. Besides, you don't want other doctors who don't see you regularly interfering with your seizure medication.
In the past week have you been getting less than adequate sleep, missed medication or been late with the medication, have you been eating poorly or encountering other seizure triggers? Losing your Mom is a huge stress on you, and so stress may be responsible for the increase in seizures. Sometimes it takes a few weeks for the effect of losing someone to really have an impact especially if your seizures were well-controlled, and it might be that now your body is reacting to all that has happened. Does your neurologist know your mother has passed away? Call your neurologist's office and report what has been happening with the seizures. It may mean that your medication needs to be adjusted, even just temporarily to better control seizures during this difficult time you must be having.

 

[tinyfrogs]

So sorry for the loss of your mom. I agree with masterjen, there isn't much they can do at the ER anyway. I've had 6 or more seizures a day before and it can be kind of scary. Stress was a big factor. Has your medicine been adjusted recently? I had an odd reaction that every time my med was adjusted, even raised, I would have more seizures temporarily before it got better.

 

[lindsayschu2]

One thing you might consider is asking your doc about getting an 'emergency med.' My most annoying seizure type recently has also been cluster partials--I was getting simple partials one after another for hours. My neuro prescribed clonazepam to take once they started, and they help stop the cluster and prevent them from leading into a bigger seizure. I added a new med and adjusted the older med and that has stopped those, but the emergency med was a nice safety net while those were going on.

 

[Cint]

When I first started having seizures years ago, they started out as SP and CP. I was having 4-6 a day and the only stress I was under was I was recently married and had moved 2000 miles from home. My husband was a pilot, so I had no one either for a support person when he was out on a trip. Like lindsaychu said, if you're having cluster seizures, ask your neuro for an "emergency med" like clonazepam or ativan (Lorazapam). It stops them and that is what they use in the hospital.

 

[MAB]

One thing you might consider is asking your doc about getting an 'emergency med.' My most annoying seizure type recently has also been cluster partials--I was getting simple partials one after another for hours. My neuro prescribed clonazepam to take once they started, and they help stop the cluster and prevent them from leading into a bigger seizure. I added a new med and adjusted the older med and that has stopped those, but the emergency med was a nice safety net while those were going on.

What dose did your neuro prescribe? I take 2mg for sleep prescribed by another doctor. My neuro told me to use them if I start having clusters. If I do I won't have enough for bedtime. I see my sleep doctor on Wed and will see if he will give me a couple extra pills each month.

 

[lindsayschu2]

Honestly I only take .5 mg, and even that knocks me out. I only take it super infrequently. I used to take it much more frequently for sleep too and was taking 1.5 and it had much less effect because of how often I was using it. You really get a tolerance to it (and it's addictive) so I'm cautious about taking it very often. If you use it regularly for sleep I wonder if it would have as much effect for seizures?

 

[MAB]

Honestly I only take .5 mg, and even that knocks me out. I only take it super infrequently. I used to take it much more frequently for sleep too and was taking 1.5 and it had much less effect because of how often I was using it. You really get a tolerance to it (and it's addictive) so I'm cautious about taking it very often. If you use it regularly for sleep I wonder if it would have as much effect for seizures?

I don't know. She told me to take 2mg but I wouldn't be able to finish out the day at work if I took that much. She then said just to cut it in half and take 1mg. Thankfully since I am on Lamictial I don't usually have waves of long lasting partials, just a few short brief partials.

 

[lindsayschu2]

Me too--since I started Lamictal, I usually just get one, or if I get a series, they are so minor they are hard to even call partials. Glad you are seeing improvement too!

 

[N Sperlo]

Hi MaggieQuern.

Everybody here has given some great advice.

I am controlled right now, but I think my experiences could help you. Those sound like simple partial seizures. A while back, for some reason I was having some simple partials. I was actually driving when we knew something was wrong. I thought I was talking and making sense, was having deja-vu and getting dizzy. My wife told me to pull over and she drive us home and made me sing to stay comfortable.
Getting on with it, this was how I knew to call the doctor. He increased my Vimpat slightly and it took care of every problem. I was pretty drowsy at the times, so I make sure I've gotten my sleep as well. As masterjen said, they will probably just send you off anyway.
I have asked my wife to only 911 if a clonic tonic lasts more than 20 or so seconds. That my not be for everybody, but I'd rather not deal with police and EMTs.