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Original poster

Daughter had seizure - "first fit" clinic in Cardiff?

17 replies

crabb · 09/02/2011 01:11

Hi all

My 28-year-old daughter has been in Cardiff for a week. She has moved from Australia (where I am) to work in the UK for a couple of years.

She went to the movies with a friend on Sunday and apparently had a seizure. It only lasted a minute, and after attention from a paramedic she was able to walk out of the cinema and go to hospital (I think University Hospital at Heath).She had blood tests, ECG, basic neurological exam, and all has checked out normal. She was allowed to go home, but has a referral to a "first fit" clinic, and she is waiting to hear from them for an appointment.

She has no idea where the clinic is, how long it takes to get an appointment, or what might happen at this clinic. Does anyone have any experience of "first fit" clinics in Cardiff, or elsewhere?

As you can imagine, I am anxious and a long way away. We realise it might be a one-off with no implications for her future health, but we don't know, and having this hanging over her at the beginning of her UK adventure is worrying for all. So any information from helpful MNetters about what to expect from the clinic would be very welcome!

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Original poster

crabb · 09/02/2011 06:04

Bump

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Original poster

crabb · 09/02/2011 08:12

Bump

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Original poster

crabb · 09/02/2011 23:52

Anyone out there who can help?

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madwomanintheattic · 09/02/2011 23:58

it's nearly midnight in the uk, crabb - maybe a bump first thing in the uk would get more response?

i think it will be a referral to the neuro team she is waiting on, but it won't be seen as an 'emergency'. she could check with her doctor (who should have a copy of the referral) who she has actually been referred to, and then she can contact them directly to see how long the wait time is likely to be.

waiting lists can vary so much for different appointments, it's difficult to guess.

it must be very worrying for you both, hopefully the follow-up appointment will put your minds at rest.

Original poster

crabb · 10/02/2011 00:02

Thanks madwoman.

She hadn't even registered with a doctor yet, but she has now. I'll get her to follow up with them.

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whoatethelastbiscuit · 10/02/2011 21:20

Hi, my 21 year old started having fits shortly after starting Uni, she was refered to a Neurologist, took a few weeks, and they tried to get her to a sleep clinic (but she refused) as a lot of fits during sleep. First appointment they just took a medical history, looked at some footage of the fits (would be really helpful if there is a repeat if someone could film it on their phone), talked to her friend who had witnessed them and then did blood tests, and booked for a brain scan, intially they were looking for epilepsy. She has been seeing doctors for about 2.5 years now and still no closer to diagnosis (think it is dissociative seizures brought on initially by stress and now almost habit) When our DD started having fits they went on for literally hours, one going straight into another, so sound quite different to your daughters. Hopefully this is just a one off for your dd, there is loads of info on the net for you to check when she has some fedback from the hospital. it must be absolutely terrifying being so far away, good luck

hellymelly · 10/02/2011 21:29

The Heath is a decent hospital,it is a teaching hospital so they tend to have good doctors working there.I am not sure about the "first fit" clinic as I have no experience of it,but I would imagine she would be seen within the next four weeks,possibly sooner.You could call the hospital and ask to talk to whoever saw her,and they might be able to go through what happens next with you.
I don't live in Cardiff,I'm about two and a half hours drive away,but I am in Wales,and if she wants or needs any support I am happy to talk to her,you can send me a message through mumsnet.Must be very worrying for you,being so far away.

Original poster

crabb · 11/02/2011 04:04

Thanks so much helly and whoate. Sorry, can only get on the internet at work at the moment, which means the middle of the night for the UK!

So grateful you took the time to reply, and for your lovely offer helly. My DD is currently staying with her friend's parents outside Cardiff, so she has someone "in loco parentis" at the moment, thank goodness.

Whoate, what a difficult experience for you and your DD. I gather she's not on medication?

My DD is feeling OK 5 days on. I will suggest to her to follow up with the hospital as well as the GP if she doesn't hear anything soon.

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Original poster

crabb · 11/02/2011 07:20

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hellymelly · 11/02/2011 13:35

When she gets the referral letter,for the clinic,it will have the name of the consultant on it,and I'm sure that given the circumstances he/she would be more than willing to chat to you about it. Good that she is with friends.My brother lives in Cardiff (was my home town as a teenager which is how I know the hospital)and I do go there from time to time,so if you do need help at all my offer still stands,I really feel for you,being so far away from your daughter.

Original poster

crabb · 14/02/2011 05:20

Hi helly and other kind people

DD received a letter and now has an appointment with a neurologist this Friday. Phew

A big weight off her (and my) mind.

Will let you know the outcome. Thanks again for your concern.

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FudgeGirl · 14/02/2011 23:26

It is so worrying. My mum had (hope to god) a single severe seizure in June last year in her sleep.

Thought it was a stroke at first, finally (after several weeks - drs initially thought it was some sort of stress related episode or fugue, as she lost her memory) she was told it was a seizure, an EEG showed she was susceptible to seizures and she was prescribed medication.

Rightly or wrongly, she decided not to take the medication until/if something else happened. Nearly eight months on, she is fine and we're praying that she will remain that way. It did take a long time for her memory to come back and her memory isn't brilliant now, but no major long term problems.

We think hers was caused by stress and going through the menopause very fast - hormone levels can play a massive part in seizure activity in women - this may be something your daughter needs to consider and testing may include hormone levels and details of her menstrual cycle etc.

I wish you all the best and hope your daughter get some answers at her appointment on Friday :)

hellymelly · 16/02/2011 20:29

Well its good she's getting seen quickly,and I imagine they will be really thorough.I hope she's not too anxious and is settling into Cardiff.

Original poster

crabb · 28/02/2011 01:12

Hi all

Sorry to be slow reporting back. The news is all good. The neurologist is convinced she just had a faint, albeit with some seizure-like features. He was not concerned at all about it happening again. She doesn't have to declare it on her driver's licence.

She has been fine since, so really, the news couldn't be better!

Thanks all for your support.

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hellymelly · 28/02/2011 22:39

that is really good news.I had a sort of extreme faint after my eldest daughter was born by c-section,probably due to blood loss,my husband said I looked as though I was fitting,briefly,but I've not had a repeat and the consultant at the time didn't seem to think it was unusual,so I guess that it can sometimes be part of fainting. Hope she is happy in Cardiff,it is a really nice city to live in.Big enough to have lots going on,great arts centre etc,but small enough to feel cosy and to get around easily.

Original poster

crabb · 02/03/2011 00:55

She loves Cardiff, but is moving to Bristol this week, as she got the job she really wanted there!

I'm about to go post on Mumsnet local Bristol, to see if anyone has a good second hand car for sale, as she needs one to get to work. Mumsnet is great! and thanks again helly.

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Stressed74 · 14/03/2011 23:17

Just a quick one, what the difference between having a fit and fainting but displaying signs of a fit? Only I ask as I have had two"fits"' 7 years apart. 1st one they said was stress after having tests... Second one in 09 they said was again stress, even though I wasn't stressed, also combination of urine infection, heat, not eating...

So does anyone know what difference is?

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