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General health

Advice on seizures/epilepsy please

13 replies

shutterstock · 02/03/2014 14:54

My husband had a fit on his way home from work last night. He has no recollection of the past 11 hours prior and was discovered by somebody on the streets of London who called an ambulance. He has arrived home in a taxi now and refused to go to the hospital with the ambulance paramedic. He apparently has seizures once every 6 years but I'm worried because he's on tablets for high blood pressure and has a history of strokes in his family.
He's currently in bed trying to sleep but I'm concerned that he should go to hospital? Any advice please? He's in his fifties.

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Matildathecat · 02/03/2014 14:58

See a doctor ASAP? There can't honestly be any other advice. Is he worried about losing his driving license?

Hope you get him to see sense. Maybe cal 111 for advice today on whether he should go to a&e today or see GP tomorrow.

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shutterstock · 02/03/2014 15:10

Yes regarding the licence but he's told me there's nothing to be done after an eplilectic fit - I'm not convinced.
His last fit occurred 5 years ago while he was talking to his best friend. I never knew until today and we've been married for 16 years!

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EnlightenedOwl · 02/03/2014 16:24

As a general rule he's right...but he should not be driving at all if he is having seizures. Not entirely sure but I think there is a legal duty of disclosure to DVLA. For a Group 1 licence the rule I think is for an isolated seizure you do not drive for six months. Youd need to check this.
I would only seek medical attention if change in seizure pattern, seizures don't stop etc.
I can't quite tell from your post - has he got an epilepsy diagnosis? Is he taking meds?

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shouldnthavesaid · 02/03/2014 17:54

Legally he shouldn't be driving until he's been clear for at least one year, as far as I know - unless a consultant thinks it's unlikely he's going to have a seizure again (which sounds like it wouldn't be the case, if he's had one/more (?) before this)

He really needs to see a doctor as soon as possible if he hasn't been diagnosed with an epilepsy or another seizure disorder - he ideally needs testing to find out what's going on (as seizures can be caused by all sorts including brain injury, brain disease, diabetes, medications, cardiac problems) and most likely a trial of medication if he's not already taking anything for seizures.

He shouldn't need medical attention today, unless you observe a decrease in consciousness/responsiveness or anything seizure like in which case you're best to call 111 or 999 (not necessary every time he has a fit, but if they're of unknown cause they always need medical attention asap).

That said - noone would think anything of it if you did consult NHS direct or such like for advice today.

However - he will need to contact his GP first thing tomorrow, whether or not you seek help today.

It's honestly imperative for your and his sake that he finds out what's happening.

I also wouldn't let him drive until he's seen a doctor, who will also most likely advise him not to drive for a while.

That all said - I'm not a doctor, I'm just writing from experience as DM suffers seizures.

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PenelopePipPop · 02/03/2014 17:59

He should definitely see his GP asap. The seizure might not be epileptic, cardiac events can look a lot like seizures and cause confusion and memory loss. Given then history he really needs that checked out urgently.

He is right, they can't do much in A&E after a seizure. Sounds like he has had a bad experience before. He may just be freaked out because he's just had a seizure, I make crappy decisions when I'm recovering too. But in a little while hopefully you will be able to convince him he needs to get medical attention to rule out any heart issues.

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dopamax · 02/03/2014 18:40

I have epilepsy and given that think from reading sorry if wrong you don't know how long it lasted you must get him to the gp and a refer to a neuro. No to driving sorry its cut and dry as to the rules he needs to be seen, wishing you all the best and a great outcome

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honeybeeridiculous · 02/03/2014 19:49

DD was diagnosed with epilepsy 14 months ago, she had to stop driving for a year and has just got her licence back, she's only ever had 2 seizures and is now on medication, the driving is a no,no. DVLA will throw the book at him if he doesn't tell them, and from what I remember the GP has to inform DVLA (?)
He doesn't necessarily need to see a GP right now but tomorrow he should, he needs tests, EEG,MRI to see what's going on
Hope he's ok, it's a scary thing

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FrontForward · 02/03/2014 19:57

I have epilepsy. I like to pretend I don't most of the time. I never hide it however and have voluntarily handed my licence in 3 times now. Sympathy and support help me, not pressure and any sense of escalating panic.
I imagine your DH doesn't wish to be defined by his epilepsy and doesn't wish to make a drama. His blood pressure issues are separate and I personally would respect his desire to not attend A&E. (Unless he's had a head injury)

The driving...he has to stop for a year. It's rubbish but he must. I'd have a conversation when he's calm. Be clear, kind and don't bend on the driving

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shutterstock · 02/03/2014 20:26

Thankyou. DH has now woken up and is feeling a lot better. His memory is now coming back and he's agreed to see his GP tomorrow. This has all been very frightening for him and he feels very upset with the fact nobody would help him - he kept asking people the name of the street he was on but got constantly ignored. Eventually a kind bystander came to his aid 11 hours later!
What a nightmare.

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shutterstock · 02/03/2014 20:32

His tongue is really aching (sounds definitely fit related) and feet bleeding from hours of walking.

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honeybeeridiculous · 02/03/2014 20:32

Poor thing, that must have been so frightening for him, it's good he wants to see the GP,hope all goes well

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DownstairsMixUp · 02/03/2014 20:36

Glad your husband is going to the GP op, he will get referred to a neuro and probably undergo an mri and eeg (that's what I had to do) then it will be working out the medication for him. Just be supportive, it's all you can do. I couldn't drive till I was seizure free for a year but (don't know where you live) I was eligible for a disabled oyster card whilst I couldn't drive which was quite handy as I was learning to drive at the time. FWIW mine is all sorted now and I haven't had a fit since 2009 so I am sending positive thoughts your way and hope this gets sorted asap. :)

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shutterstock · 02/03/2014 20:59

Cheers ever so much. The driving situation will be a nightmare but not the end of the world as we have access to London Underground so he can still get to work.
He seems very defensive but I'm assuming it's because he's actually feeling quite vulnerable - just glad he's throwing in the towel and agreed to seek help.