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Sparky's wife

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My husband has dealt with epilepsy since his teenage years. He is 49 now. We have been married for 24 years and he has had 1 seizure since we married. All was going well until last week when I received a call from one of my sons saying Dad needs your help. He had 2 spells before I got there but none of them were like the seizure I seen him go thru before we got married. He had gotten light headed and felt like he was going to pass out. Just before this spell he said he could see a girl (someone he had actually seen a few days before) in a bush off to his right. Before the next spell he seen a guy he hasn't worked with in 2 years. When I picked him up, he seemed fine, just a little tired and pale looking. On our trip home, I could tell he was nervous about having anymore spells so I took him to the ER to be checked out. They did a cat scan on him (it was negative) and bloodwork (dilantin level was low but not dangerously low). While he was having the cat scan, he had another spell but with no "visions". They kept him for 2 days with no additonal trouble. Also checked his carotid arteries for blockage but found nothing. Has anyone ever experienced seizures like i have described? ER doctor thought it was related to his epilepsy but our PCP seems to think he might have a blockage somewhere. Thanks for listening.
 
Hi Sparky's wife,

Welcome to the best forum. It was made by Bernard out of love for his wife Stacy. That love permeates through the whole forum.

When, he is seeing things that is called an "aura." It is a warning that a seizure is coming on. Felling light headed is also a warning or "aura" of an impending seizure.

Have you taught your children what to do when a seizure comes on?

I had seizures when my children were growing up. I taught them what to do if their Dad was not around to help out. My seizures were real bad. They learned how to call 911 to get an ambulance.

BTW, spell is an old fashioned word that is no longer used for epilepsy. The word is seizure.

Again, welcome. Stay here and keep us updated.
 
Hi Sparky's wife,

The "spells" your husband has been experiencing sound like they could be SP seizures, also known as auras. These can happen before the BIG seizure, sometimes people see things or hear things that aren't there. I've had CP seizures and TC (grand mal). Several times before actually going into the TC seizure, as part of the aura I have heard voices of people from my past.

Did the dr. increase his Dilantin? Since his Dilantin level was low and that could have been the reason for a break-thru seizure.
 
Thanks for the responses, you both helped me feel more confident in thinking that this is epileptic related and not a blockage somewhere. He still doesn't seem up to par yet, still really tired. I'm just trying to decide if letting our PCP deal with this is enough or if we should go with a neurologist. They did do a Dilantin level and it was up (sorry don't remember exactly, but the doctor was happy with it).

My children are 23, 21, and 19. They were all taught how to handle things if Dad would have a seizure. It was the 21 year old that was with him and he graduated from protective services when he was in high school and he is also a member of the Army National Guard so he knew exactly how to handle things. His wife also came to help and she is in the process of earning her LPN license in month.

I'm sorry if I offended anyone by using the word "spell" but to me, a seizure it what I witnessed 24+ years ago when he threw his 200+ lb. brother in law who was trying to keep him from hurting himself. This was nothing like that. Thank goodness!

Thank you again for your help. I really appreciate it.
 
Hi, you did not offend me by using the word "spell." I was just trying to educate you. If I hurt your feelings, I apologize.

If you want to use the word "spell" that is all right with me. You continue using it. We both mean the same thing, seizures.

Again, you did not hurt my feelings or offend me.

Both you and I educated our children. Mine are in the 40's. One is in his 30's now.
 
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