Question about Status epilepticus

[Starburst]

I have been reading about Status epilepticus and have a couple of questions.

When my infant (age 8 months) has a seizure, the whole episode usually lasts for 20-30 minutes. He does not seize the entire time, though. What I mean is that he will seize for a few seconds, then seize again about 2 minutes later, also for a few seconds, then seize again about 2 minutes later, etc. He will seize in this manner for about 20-30 minutes total, then wake up.

Is this considered Status epilepticus, or does this refer to someone who is seizing continuously with no breaks in-between?

Similarly, other son (age 17) once seized for about one hour, but not continuously. The seizure activity occurred about once every five minutes. Was this Status epilepticus?

 

[Wobblez]

Hi um-adam,

I'm not entirely sure either so i'll be watching this thread with interest. Best of luck

 

[Endless]

Um-adam,

These are great questions to ask their neurologist. Did you call him? Important when they have the seizures you described.

SE represents more than 30 minutes of continuous seizure activity, or two or more sequential seizures without full recovery between seizures. Initial definitions of 30 minutes were used due to the substantial mortality associated with seizure prolongation, although more recent opinions have suggested using shorter periods. From a practical standpoint, however, treatment must be considered by 5–10 minutes, or when at least two seizures have occurred back-to-back without an intervening return to consciousness, because of the concern for causing irreversible neuronal injury.

http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/e_b_etiology.html

The questions are how long the seizures last, and if they fully recover inbetween.

Here are some links to more info on other kinds of SE:

Non-convulsive status epilepticus (SE): http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/e_b_nonconvulsive_status_epilepticus.html

Other types of SE: http://professionals.epilepsy.com/page/epilepticus_lessobvious.html

 

[acpollard2010]

if that happens are u ok or do u need to go to the hospital call dr. i have been curious about this one thing myself

 

[Wobblez]

It's a hard call to make. I often can't tell the difference between a strong aura and the "building up" stage where I feel a few jerks and the dull headache, as opposed to the start of the actual partial. I know the aura can infact be a seizure in itself but if I took Diazepam every time I felt an aura, I'd never be able to get out of bed.