Absence seizures

[NancyMulligan]

I'm a MN regular but have name-changed (again) for this.

I've just been talking to my Dad because he's worried about my Mum. She has apparently been having absent moments (seizures?) for a month or two. A few weeks ago she had a really long one where Dad couldn't wake her. Initially he thought she was just snoozing and didn't want to disturb her but when he came back from the shop about half an hour later she was in exactly the same position and he couldn't rouse her, even when he shouted and shook her shoulder. Her hands were really cold. Eventually she came to and Dad said nothing as he doesn't want to worry her. DH says she's also had absent moments when he's been there but not for as long.

Does anyone have any experience of older parents having this type of absence? It sounds like a seizure to me but I'd be interested to hear other views. She's 80 but has always been very active. She is very stressed at the moment and lives in what I think is a pretty chaotic household. I'm sure that is a contributing factor but she insists she likes it that way.

She is recovering from a nasty bug at the moment, although I think that is unrelated to what else is going on. I am thinking of suggesting that she stays with me for a couple of weeks, although it won't be a complete break as we live in the same village.

Dad has asked me to tactfully suggest that she visits the doctor but doesn't really want her to know how bad she is. Could it just be exhaustion or is something else going on?

How can I get help for her and who can I discuss this with. I have no idea where to start.

This should be checked out. I have no experience of absences seizures in older people but have seen them in children. Only tests can determine what is causing them. It could be stress or it could be a type of epilepsy. I don't say that to alarm you but check out epilepsy action info pages here and/or try their helpline, which is free, confidential and very good. The GP should be your first call. Good luck.

Sorry, that doesn't sound very sympathetic. Sorry to hear about your mum, but much better to know what's going on (and treat it) than worry.

Not an expert but sounds like Tia's mini strokes? She must get this checked out.
Good luck.

She needs checked out. It's not TIAs because they don't affect consciousness.

One thing, any doctor will be very happy if you catch an event on video. it can be very helpful.

Thanks for the replies.

I wondered about epilepsy. I have a friend who was diagnosed in later life so it did cross my mind.

If I talk to the doctor about this, presumably it should be my own? I'm assuming her doctor won't discuss her health with me?

I'm also thinking that investigating Power of Attorney might be a good thing sooner rather than later. Unfortunately she's very independent and while she's apparently unaware of what's happening, it might be difficult to persuade her of the benefits.

your mum should see her own go in the first instance. Unless there is something else going on, I see no reason for power of attorney. Absence seizures can be treated. Don't jump ahead just yet! Try the action line and try to persuade your mum to see her GP. She's still an adult and can decide what she wants to do for herself. Has she noticed the absences? What does she think they are? Is she worried?

Not sure how she can fail to have noticed something going on if they last long enough for other people to see them. Isn't she missing bits of conversation, TV, etc?

Thanks, Nowdecide, I appreciate the support and advice.

No, as far as my Dad and I know, she is unaware of them. She rarely watches TV so wouldn't notice that. She has always been hard of hearing and is becoming increasingly deaf so I doubt she'd notice she was missing bits of conversation either. Someone else that my Mum does community work with has noticed these absences and considered them serious enough to raise concerns with my Dad. As far as I know she is not worried, and therein lies the problem. She is likely to be very resistant to admitting or even considering that something may be wrong. She won't admit to having trouble hearing even though my family listen to the TV on volume 8 or 9 and she needs it at volume 50. She nods off all the time anyway, so she'll just put it down to that.

This is why I need to know who to turn to in the first instance for advice and the best way to proceed. I'll try the action line, thanks.

I know absence seizures can be controlled with medication but I'm not sure how effectively in a much older person who already takes a number of medicines for other reasons.

The Power of Attorney I'm referring to is an LPA. It lets someone (my Mum) appoint an attorney whilst she still has the mental capacity to do so, so should be sorted out earlier rather than later. It is something that we have mentioned before. She would still have full control of her affairs until she chose to hand them over or no longer had the mental capacity to make her own decisions. It acts as an insurance policy as it is much more time consuming and difficult to get power of attorney once someone no longer has the mental capacity to make their own decisions.

Nancy you are right to get poa in place now- it is never too early but often too late.
We sorted it for my pil's thinking it was for my fil because he had a stroke but my mil's health declined surprisingly fast. Delicate to do but it waits in a drawer until needed!

Ah, I see. Yes, that does make sense.

It sounds as if your mum has a lot going on. If she doesn't drive ( does she?) or do much alone (cross roads?) then brief absences maybe aren't too dangerous but if she swims or even takes a bath by herself it could be very dangerous to lose consciousness, even briefly.
I understand it can be hard to raise these things - my mil is increasingly deaf but is oblivious/in denial and it's really very tricky so you have my sympathy.
Might it be easier for someone else to raise it, perhaps the person your mum does voluntary work with? I'm just wondering if it might be easier and be taken more seriously if a non-family member brought it to your mums attention. Otherwise, it sounds as though when you've taken a bit of advice, you and your dad don't have much choice but to explain how worried you are and gently insist (I know, easier said than done). Even if she only goes to the GP to shut you up, it's result! Fingers crossed it works out well.

My mum has had a lot of episodes where she was 'absent' and unrousable or minimally so for periods of time. This was decided on as not epilepsy as such, but a factor of her progressing brain deterioration through her fronto temporal dementia.
Note my mum 'couldn't hear' things, but actually her hearing is fine, she just can't process the words - the same with her sight as well.

I think your mum really needs a neurological assessment to see what is going on