Hi I have recently had an introduction to epilepsy that I won't forget in a hurry. My darling hubby was diagnosed about 2.5 years ago after suffering a seizure at work. I didn't know him then. We recently married after being together just over a year. I have always known about his epilepsy but it has always been controlled apart from a breakthrough seizure last year, again at work so I had never actually seen him have a seizure until last Sunday.
That morning he says he got up about 6am to go to the bathroom. He must have got back into bed because about 7am I was woken up to the sound of him having a seizure next to me. I was absolutely terrified as this was the first one I had seen him have but I knew what was happening and called an ambulance. He actually fell off the bed onto the floor during the seizure as the convulsions were very violent and he badly bruised his shoulder. He went blue and stopped breathing for a while, his eyes rolled back and I thought he was dead. I know now that these can be typical symptoms of a Tonic Clonic but at the time I honestly thought he was gone. Once it was over he started breathing again, very noisily and snorey.
He was allowed home from hospital once they had taken bloods. He was fine all Monday, albeit tired, but then Tuesday morning he had two more fits so was taken to hospital again. This time they kept him in overnight and I am so glad they did as he had 5 more in the early hours Wed morning and went into Status Epilepticus and they had to administer drugs to halt the seizures. He also inhaled fluids so they had to intubate him (is that the right term?).
He is having to stay in hospital until at least Monday until they get the results of scans and bloods.
When he was first diagnosed they found a small tumour at the front of his head which they think is causing the seizures and I am very worried that something has changed which has caused this latest batch of seizures.
I have to admit I am new to epilepsy and probably know little about it but I want to find out as much as I can to help my hubby. I love him dearly and want to do all I can to support him. I am currently very emotional as I hate leaving him in hospital as I keep thinking what if he has a fit in the night and nobody gets to him in time and he dies, is this a normal thing for partners to think? They have actually been very good and as he is in a room of his own I can stay over any time I like on a chairbed which I have been doing but I am very tired and really need to be in my own bed but then I think I won't sleep at home due to worrying about him.
I'm sorry this is so long-winded but I feel lost and helpless right now and just need to get all of this off my chest in order to be the strong capable partner I need to be for my hubby. I don't get too emotional around him as I don't want to upset him and so am full of pent up emotions which are taking their toll at present.
I think I need to know, where do we go from here, what is our best plan of action, and does it ever get any easier to witness a loved one in so much distress.
Thanks for listening
xxx
That morning he says he got up about 6am to go to the bathroom. He must have got back into bed because about 7am I was woken up to the sound of him having a seizure next to me. I was absolutely terrified as this was the first one I had seen him have but I knew what was happening and called an ambulance. He actually fell off the bed onto the floor during the seizure as the convulsions were very violent and he badly bruised his shoulder. He went blue and stopped breathing for a while, his eyes rolled back and I thought he was dead. I know now that these can be typical symptoms of a Tonic Clonic but at the time I honestly thought he was gone. Once it was over he started breathing again, very noisily and snorey.
He was allowed home from hospital once they had taken bloods. He was fine all Monday, albeit tired, but then Tuesday morning he had two more fits so was taken to hospital again. This time they kept him in overnight and I am so glad they did as he had 5 more in the early hours Wed morning and went into Status Epilepticus and they had to administer drugs to halt the seizures. He also inhaled fluids so they had to intubate him (is that the right term?).
He is having to stay in hospital until at least Monday until they get the results of scans and bloods.
When he was first diagnosed they found a small tumour at the front of his head which they think is causing the seizures and I am very worried that something has changed which has caused this latest batch of seizures.
I have to admit I am new to epilepsy and probably know little about it but I want to find out as much as I can to help my hubby. I love him dearly and want to do all I can to support him. I am currently very emotional as I hate leaving him in hospital as I keep thinking what if he has a fit in the night and nobody gets to him in time and he dies, is this a normal thing for partners to think? They have actually been very good and as he is in a room of his own I can stay over any time I like on a chairbed which I have been doing but I am very tired and really need to be in my own bed but then I think I won't sleep at home due to worrying about him.
I'm sorry this is so long-winded but I feel lost and helpless right now and just need to get all of this off my chest in order to be the strong capable partner I need to be for my hubby. I don't get too emotional around him as I don't want to upset him and so am full of pent up emotions which are taking their toll at present.
I think I need to know, where do we go from here, what is our best plan of action, and does it ever get any easier to witness a loved one in so much distress.
Thanks for listening
xxx