Can someone talk to me re sudden seizure in a young adult (DS1)?

[Hassled]

DS1 (23) had a seizure today - all I really know is that he was very drunk at a party last night, and was on a train this morning to his grandmother's house for a visit; the seizure happened on the train and he was taken by ambulance at the next station. It's possible he's had a seizure before - a few years ago, he was working in a pub and the landlord found him wandering round the back very disorientated. At the time we thought he'd fainted.

I've spoken to him - and his Dad's with him - he sounds OK, a bit shaky. Muscles sore. Can't remember what happened at all. They were at A&E waiting to see the doctor - it's a 4 hour drive away and I'm dithering about going up or not; if they're just going to discharge him then his father will drive him home today anyway.

What - other than epilepsy - would have caused it? Google says that alcohol withdrawal is a cause - does that sound likely? Does epilepsy ever start in young adults?

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No advice, but please stop Googling (easier said than done, I know). Your son is in good hands and has his Dad with him. Take care.

I don't know how common it is, but when I was a student, a lad in my hall of residence had a fit just before he took his finals - a combination of stress and too many all-night studying sessions. It was certainly the first fit he had had, although I have no idea if he had any more.

Stress, tiredness and changes in hormonal status (including time of the month in women) can all make it likely that someone who is susceptible already will have a fit.

The hospital will probably refer your son on for more tests, and any treatment (anti-convulsants) he needs. Epilepsy is actually pretty common, and for a lot of people, a low dose of anti convulsants control the fits and they lead completely normal lives. Unfortunately you tend to hear far more about the worst cases, because those with mild epilepsy tend not to talk about it much as it is a non-issue. So please don't worry about it too much until you know exactly what you are dealing with.

Thanks - easier said than done. He's had an ECG - was fine, and they're waiting on blood test results - don't know why. Still don't know whether to go there or not. I want to be with him, but by the time I arrive he might be being sent home.

Well he's been discharged and Ex is driving him home (insane - wtf don't they stay at the grandmother's tonight?), tests don't seem to have told anyone anything and they're organising a brain scan at the local hospital. He sounds OK but I wish I knew why it happened, whether it will happen again, what the hell is going on. What a day.

I had a seizure at 33 drs said lots of people have one offs, had another about 14 months later and then an absence episode some months after that. Diagnosed with epilepsy and am now popping pills (only one a day) for as long as I want to keep my driving licence. Not had anything since then.

Only you can decide wether to drive the 4 hours. personally I would. Its very scary not remembering a thing after a seizure and I wouldn't want to be on my own. I know you mentioned being at his grandmothers but its not really the same as a hug and words of reassurance from mum. He may well have a throbbing headache today.

Ps there are loads of non - epileptic seizures, you would rarely get a diagnosis from just one episode anyway.

Hope all goes well