Sign Language....

[SoonToBeMommy]

How many of you have used sign language as a means to communicate after a seizure when it is difficult to talk? I really would like to learn somethings in sign language that I could use to communicate with my fiance. What is your opinion of using sign language? And know any good sites or books where I could learn sign language?

 

[Loopy Lou]

Hmm... i know basic BSL but after a seizure i'm not really co-ordinated enough to use it. Not that i've actually got the presence of mind to think of it either lol. Plus there would only be my mum who could understand it.

If you think it would work for you, there are usually courses that you can take. If you google it for your local area you might be able to find a class near you

 

[momof3boys]

I learned sign language in middle school. I know the basics of it. But I dont know if for me, it would be helpful for using it after a seizure. I know for years before, when I had grand mal seizures or complex partial seizures I would be really out of it after a seizure. Now that Im having simple partial seizures, I dont think I would need it because after the seizure is over, even though I feel sore, tired and have a headache, I can communicate with anyone by speaking to them.

 

[SoonToBeMommy]

I can't speak after I have them for 5-10 mins. I do know the sign for water but thats about it.

 

[LJ-Bain]

Hi there!

I'm pretty much the same as other people...I can't talk afterwards and I am pretty foggy in the head. My husband knows to ask me yes or no questions and I can make a sound that sorta sounds like one or the other. Or I just look at him with a glazed look and he tries again in a little bit.
My children come in and say "Mommy, are you still twitched up?" and I just make a grunt and they know I am still. Well, my 1yr old just cries until I can smile at him unless he has food as a distraction.
Shaking your head yes or no still works for me as sign language.
Who do you want to communicate with? I guess the other person would need to know sign language too.

 

[valeriedl]

I know how to sign the alphabet but I know I'd never beable to do it after a seizure.

When I come out I really don't know whats going on for about 5 or 10 minutes. I'm really confused and can't think strait. Sometimes I'll be answering questions that people are asking me, but what I think I'm saying and what I'm actually saying are two different things.

If I were trying to sign I think that what my hand is doing and what I think it's doing would be two different things too.

 

[petero]

How many of you have used sign language as a means to communicate after a seizure when it is difficult to talk? I really would like to learn somethings in sign language that I could use to communicate with my fiance. What is your opinion of using sign language? And know any good sites or books where I could learn sign language?

when I've been coming out of a full tonic-clonic about all I've been able to do is have some rudimentary communication like grunting sortof "yes/no" and pointing, and indicating that I want to go to sleep... by closing my eyes and trying to sleep... lol - but that has been dissuaded by the EMTs or whatever (one of the worst things to hear in the world, said by the EMTs: "NO NO SIR you need to stay awake and with us here SIR you need to stay awake now..." lol) (I should learn morse code so I can learn to grunt "please don't call me sir")

having the ability to grasp complex communicative means like sign language seems like it would be out of MY grasp, in my experience - not to mention the times I've come out of it with damaged hands - for example the last tonic-clonic, or drop seizure, or whatever it was I ended up with a badly gouged thumb from what I guess was my laying on my hand and doing the floor tango wearing the skin off of my knuckle down about 1/8"

it depends on what types of seizures you have, but any type of complex reasoning like that seems it would be as difficult to grasp as any language - if I knew sign language, by the time I would be able to sign I would be able to speak...

it's not a bad idea to learn sign language though!

 

[SoonToBeMommy]

Yea, I have heard of people who have used it though. But that does make sense like I said about all I can do is the sign for water and when I can do that it usually means I am aware of things again. I don't know why it takes so long for me to be able to talk afterwards. I am not sure what kind I have, but at least so far I haven't lost anything. Should I make a post describing (how my fiance describes) my seizure or episodes whatever you want to call them? Maybe I can get a better idea of what kind it could be.

 

[Aaleayha]

I used the basics.... for more further questions... it was AFTER my seizures though, and only if my hands weren't otherwise disposed. But yeah, only for like NO EMT YES DRINK CALL MOM. just those. Otherwise... i was as mute as fish underwater.

 

[qtowngirl]

I am not sure what kind I have, but at least so far I haven't lost anything. Should I make a post describing (how my fiance describes) my seizure or episodes whatever you want to call them? Maybe I can get a better idea of what kind it could be.

Yeah that would be great, see if we can help.

Just wondering, have you asked your doc for a referral to a neuro? Or have you seen a neuro yet, and if so what did they say?

 

[SoonToBeMommy]

No I haven't yet, but I am hoping to get into to see my family doctor this week and seeing if he can refer me. I will post the description in a few moments.