I realize I should know the answer to this and I thought I did. But recently I've been questioning this, to make sure. So should someone call an ambulance for every grand mal? I realize call 911 if it's lasting more than 5 minutes. I think when I have a grand mal it lasts about 2 minutes. But what are your opinions, should we call the neurologist or 911 for every grand mal?
Response to seizures.
- Thread starter finalpoet
- Start date
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I usually have three or four grand mals a year. If I'm out for five minutes, my husband calls 911. Most times, they last two to three minutes and I can respond to basic questions (and then load the washer, shower, etc). Since I'm on Coumadin because of a Leiden Factor V deficiency (my blood clots too easily), anytime I hit my head, we get help.
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That's what we do as well. I just wanted to confirm.
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Here's a general rundown (useful to give to friends and family):
WHAT HAPPENS IN A TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE:
The person goes stiff, loses consciousness and then falls to the ground. This is followed by jerking movements. A blue tinge around the mouth is likely (and normal -- this is due to irregular breathing.) Loss of bladder and/or bowel control may happen. After a minute or two the jerking movements should stop and consciousness may slowly return.
DO:
-- Protect the person from injury - (remove harmful objects from nearby)
-- Cushion their head
-- Aid breathing by gently placing them on their side once the seizure has finished
-- Stay with the person until recovery is complete
-- Let the person know what has happened, and reassure them
DON'T:
-- Restrain the person’s movements
-- Put anything in the person’s mouth
-- Try to move them unless they are in danger
-- Give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
-- Attempt to bring them round
CALL AN AMBULANCE IF:
-- You know it is the person’s first seizure
-- The seizure continues for more than five minutes
-- One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between seizures
-- The person is injured during the seizure
-- You believe the person needs urgent medical attention
WHAT HAPPENS IN A TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURE:
The person goes stiff, loses consciousness and then falls to the ground. This is followed by jerking movements. A blue tinge around the mouth is likely (and normal -- this is due to irregular breathing.) Loss of bladder and/or bowel control may happen. After a minute or two the jerking movements should stop and consciousness may slowly return.
DO:
-- Protect the person from injury - (remove harmful objects from nearby)
-- Cushion their head
-- Aid breathing by gently placing them on their side once the seizure has finished
-- Stay with the person until recovery is complete
-- Let the person know what has happened, and reassure them
DON'T:
-- Restrain the person’s movements
-- Put anything in the person’s mouth
-- Try to move them unless they are in danger
-- Give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
-- Attempt to bring them round
CALL AN AMBULANCE IF:
-- You know it is the person’s first seizure
-- The seizure continues for more than five minutes
-- One tonic-clonic seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness between seizures
-- The person is injured during the seizure
-- You believe the person needs urgent medical attention
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People will call 911 if anything happens during a seizure that Nakamova listed.
If I've had to call 911 or if I start to have more seizures in a short amount of time, like if I start having one or more daily, I'll call my neuro to let him know.
If I've had to call 911 or if I start to have more seizures in a short amount of time, like if I start having one or more daily, I'll call my neuro to let him know.
Its so annoying that people don't generally know when they should call an ambulance. A few weeks ago an ambulance was called for me in Starbucks for a partial where I fell and it lasted less than a minute apparently.
Then you have to wait while they take your bp and everything.
Just ps. I felt actually old even though I'm 29 because I kept thinking the paramedic looked about 12. Something my mum says about Drs who actually look about 40.
Edit: that's not aimed at anyone here, I'm talking about passers-by.
Then you have to wait while they take your bp and everything.
Just ps. I felt actually old even though I'm 29 because I kept thinking the paramedic looked about 12. Something my mum says about Drs who actually look about 40.
Edit: that's not aimed at anyone here, I'm talking about passers-by.
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