Responses during complex partials?

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chmmr

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I was just curious what kind of responses people see when those around them are having a complex partial (i know it can vary).

With my daughter, it seems like if i repeat the question (calling her name /asking if she is ok multiple times)occasionally i can get some kind of answer (usually "yah" ) out of her, but it takes repeated attempts in order to get those responses. Is it common to get any kind of response from someone having a complex partial, or

She had one today (with a new addition that i guess was an automatism) while we were driving. I only realized it because i glanced backwards and saw her tapping her chest repetitively in a really weird way with her right hand. She had the glazed over look she typically gets and her tongue protrudes. I called her name and after multiple attempts she said "yah" and when i asked if she was ok multiple times she did at one point say "yah" (right around the same time the tapping stopped). Once she was more with it, she couldn't tell me why she was tapping her chest (argued with me that she wasn't actually) and seemed to have no recollection at all so i'm pretty confident that it was a CP, just confused that she did "respond" sort of.
 
I'm still trying to figure out how I was able to continue driving while having complex-partials. I would be in no way surprised to hear it was common for a person to in some way respond in such a way.
 
I've talked during my seizures before. It depends how deep into the seizure I am though what I say.

I was on the phone with my grandma one time when I had a seizure. She kept telling me to put my husband on the phone and I just kept telling her that he's in the other room. My grandparents live next door and my grandfather came over to let my husband know that I was having a seizure. I was still on the phone with my grandma telling her that he was in the other room.

There have been other times when I think that I'm actually carrying on a conversation with someone. I know what they are saying and I know what I'm saying but what's actually coming out of my mouth aren't the right words or aren't even words at all just gibberish.

Many times during a seizure I'll just repeat the same word over and over again.

When I begin to answer the questions and talk right then we know that I'm out of the seizure.
 
I've talked and I've driven but i don't remember getting from point A to point B which is a scary thought. I had forgotten about those periods in my life wherein I drove and i don't remember that.

I've also been told that I drop off mid conversation sometimes, which is really weird. I also have been told I talk but I don't know what about, nor do I remember the conversations and I have to be reminded (multiple times) of whatever it was we talked about. I'm sure I don't make sense half the time but I also go through periods of time when I'm not having a seizure (read, a lot of times) where I don't make sense because I'm a goofy character and I like to run around screaming "BANANA" or something because I can. :D

So, it's hard to tell and my mom has never really asked but when I come to tired and woozy with a headache then I realize I've had one and I go lay down.
 
Sometimes I "sleep drive." It is not seizure related, but I don't remember a portion of the drive. That is pretty normal. If you were to have a complex-partial while driving, I wouldn't be surprised at all if you couldn't remember.

I may not "drop off" mid-conversation, but the proper words don't make it out the mouth. I'll probably remember it, but not what I said.

I haven't had any complex-partials in quite a while.
 
I don't drive anymore because of it. Last time I drove I had a seizure after I got home and took everything seriously. Its pretty scary. I'm ashamed I didn't take it more seriously when I had one noticeable one while I was driving. I have had one while I was in a store and I don't remember what I may have said. I had several while I was in the hospital but I only remember what I was saying when I was coming out of them, being really confused as to why they were talking about the subjects I had been talking about. I'm really random as a general rule so it wouldn't be uncommon for someone to not pick up on it at first unless it was a serious conversation.

They aren't my most common seizures I don't think. I don't really know as I've only been having seizures regularly for under a year and we're still trying to figure things out. Mostly it feels like me doing all the research and being my own doctor for all this stuff which is kind of frustrating. I get that I have to be my own advocate but I would like to be able to take a back seat especially since I'm in school trying to beast through a tough semester's worth of classes and struggling through a seizure here and there that hurts my cognition and memory.

My friend likened us all to Vikings. I just thought I'd pass it on. :D
 
Mostly it feels like me doing all the research and being my own doctor for all this stuff which is kind of frustrating. I get that I have to be my own advocate but I would like to be able to take a back seat especially since I'm in school trying to beast through a tough semester's worth of classes and struggling through a seizure here and there that hurts my cognition and memory.

We are all learning about ourselves and it becomes an obsession. You probably shouldn't head to the back seat, but make sure you pay attention to your classes. My grades plummeted when the seizures started and never got better. Combined with ADHD, very low reading comprehension levels (I've had to read your post at least three times), and very low listening comprehension levels, school was a big problem. I'm a very intelligent person and it shows, but I would need individualized attention if I didn't have the time to spend on it. Keep learning about your seizures, but spend all the time you can to make sure your grades are where they need to be.
 
I was just curious what kind of responses people see when those around them are having a complex partial (i know it can vary).

With my daughter, it seems like if i repeat the question (calling her name /asking if she is ok multiple times)occasionally i can get some kind of answer (usually "yah" ) out of her, but it takes repeated attempts in order to get those responses. Is it common to get any kind of response from someone having a complex partial,

It is very common for someone to respond while having a partial seizure. They may seem like they "hear" you, but they are not actually comprehending what is being said, they may seem like they are daydreaming but it is probably a simple partial seizures, or an "aura".


She had one today (with a new addition that i guess was an automatism) while we were driving. I only realized it because i glanced backwards and saw her tapping her chest repetitively in a really weird way with her right hand. She had the glazed over look she typically gets and her tongue protrudes. I called her name and after multiple attempts she said "yah" and when i asked if she was ok multiple times she did at one point say "yah" (right around the same time the tapping stopped). Once she was more with it, she couldn't tell me why she was tapping her chest (argued with me that she wasn't actually) and seemed to have no recollection at all so i'm pretty confident that it was a CP, just confused that she did "respond" sort of.

The tapping of the chest was probably an automatism and does happen frequently for those of us who experience complex partial seizures. Sometimes,people will pick at their clothing or move their mouth without actually speaking during these automatisms. Some people repeat words or phrases randomly during this phase. My friends and family say that I sit and stare, sometimes I pick at my clothing and if asked a question I will give them a blank, far away look/stare. And I don't remember if I said or did anything during these few minutes.

So, if your daughter is experiencing seizures, you cannot expect her to respond sensibly during one. If she does respond, it will be random words or phrases that she will not remember after the seizure. It can be a while before she does actually respond afterwards, and then she may not remember much about the actual seizure.
 
They aren't my most common seizures I don't think. I don't really know as I've only been having seizures regularly for under a year and we're still trying to figure things out. Mostly it feels like me doing all the research and being my own doctor for all this stuff which is kind of frustrating.

Have you seen an epileptologist? What kind of tests have you had?
 
When I have a complex partial seizure, it 1st. starts out with deja uv , then I will know where I'm at, who is talking, what they are saying or asking however I can not respond to them. I will have lobster claw like movement in my hands, I will smack my lips, and swallow hard for several time.
 
Have you seen an epileptologist? What kind of tests have you had?

I've only seen a Neurologist and I've gotten two EEGs and an MRI and CT. No lesions to report at the current moment but nothing to show for why or what's going on. My parents are coming with me to my next appointment so hopefully they'll get somewhere. I also have a cleft lip and palate so they're used to dealing with difficult doctors and getting answers where I'm not. Something I'll have to learn. I've not even really heard of an epileptologist untiliI came on this site. I need to see if I can get one around where I live and on government insurance. My insurance for my dad is running out.
 
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