Loss of consciousness and Tonic Clonic

[Trinity]

I am curious as to whether a tonic clonic seizure must by definition involve total loss of consciousness. Reason I ask is because as a child (10-13years old) I can recall having convulsive seizures and being able to hear what people were saying to me and conversations people were having around me. One I particularly remember is in the 7Eleven and I had my first seizure in a number of years. I remember my whole body start to feel funny and convulse and I didn't know what was happening. I obviously could not talk but I was trying to get my mothers attention - I wanted to move myself to grab her or something. Anyway she turned around and said "Oh no, she's having a fit!" I had heard people talking about me having 'fits' previously but never remembered having one. So, I know that made me feel a lot calmer knowing that I knew what was going on and I could hear the lady at the 7Eleven calmly reassuring my mother. To be honest I had a tonic clonic when my son was a baby and I couldn't remember anything afterwards and neither did I hear (at least that I recall) anything during - that was really scary. Obviously I wasn't scared not knowing at the time but afterwards I was - it felt like I was losing my mind.
So, basically i'm just wondering if these convulsive seizures I had when I was younger were actually a different type of seizure than a tonic clonic, or if it's possible to have a tonic clonic and be aware.

 

[Nakamova]

I think a tonic-clonic involves "generalizing" -- that is spreading to involve the entire brain in a way that leads to unconsciousness. You may have had a partial seizure with only the clonic (convulsive) activity. Clonic seizures are more common in infants and children, and, because there is no full loss of consciousness, they're less likely to be followed by tiredness and confusion.

 

[Trinity]

I've always been tired after my seizures, even as a child. I would always sleep for a good half hour post ictal although I was known to jump up upon waking and say "i'm going to school now" only to be told that no I would not. LOL

 

[Nakamova]

Yeah, I would think that even just the clonic stuff would be pretty tiring for a little kid!

 

[msuder0583]

I was thinking just the opposite. I thought the clonic phase caused the unconsciousness. I have had multiple seizures when I only entered the tonic phase. My body completely locks up, yet I can still think, hear and speak, but I do not lose consciousness. It lasts for about 30-45 secs and then I snap out of it and I am back to normal.

 

[Nakamova]

Neither the tonic or the clonic phase really "causes" the loss of consciousness, especially if they occur singly. But if you have the full tonic-clonic, consciousness is lost during the tonic phase.

Tonic phase:
The person will quickly lose consciousness, and the skeletal muscles will suddenly tense, often causing the extremities to be pulled towards the body or rigidly pushed away from it, which will cause the person to fall if standing. The tonic phase is usually the shortest part of the seizure, usually lasting only a few seconds. The person may also express vocalizations like a loud moan or scream during the tonic stage, due to air forcefully expelled from the lungs.
Clonic phase:
The person's muscles will start to contract and relax rapidly, causing convulsions. These may range from exaggerated twitches of the limbs to violent shaking or vibrating of the stiffened extremities. The person may roll and stretch as the seizure spreads. The eyes typically roll back or close and the tongue often suffers bruising sustained by strong jaw contractions. Incontinence is seen in some cases.

(from Wikipedia)