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Original poster

Should we go to A&E or just go to the doctors tomorrow?

12 replies

DaleyBump · 18/08/2013 10:36

DP had a fit last night. Well, at about three in the morning. He didn't even know it had happened, and I was still half asleep (heavy sleeper) so didn't think to do anything other than say "are you okay?" if I had been fully awake I would have had him up at A&E straight away because he's never fitted before, but we've woken up this morning and he seems fine. Should I be getting him up to hospital or should we wait until the doctors opens tomorrow?

Thanks in advance :)

OP posts:

MousyMouse · 18/08/2013 10:40

go now.
probably not serious but don't mess with brains.

JustBecauseICan · 18/08/2013 10:41

I would have him checked today. Even if he says he doesn't want to (as men tend to do!)

Dp has funny turns every few months and always tries to get out of being looked at. (he has that heart thing that Tony Blair had which causes him to drop down into a faintlike thing momentarily)

Best be safe, hope he is OK!

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 18/08/2013 10:41

Definitely A&E for a first fit.

VivaLeBeaver · 18/08/2013 10:42

And don't let him drive or have a bath on his own till he's seen someone.

How long did the fit last for? Be warned, he may have his driving licence suspended while its investigated. Not sure but if you ha epilepsy I believe you can't drive till you've been fit free for a certain period.

Original poster

DaleyBump · 18/08/2013 10:44

Thanks everyone, we'll head up soon. He doesn't drive and we only have a shower so we're covered :) it only lasted for about 30 seconds I think but I can't be sure because I was still half sleeping

OP posts:

Original poster

DaleyBump · 18/08/2013 16:27

Just to update, we've been to the hospital and they've sent him home after taking his blood pressure, pulse etc and running a trace on his heart. Nothing abnormal showed up and because he was able to speak to me straight after it happened, they don't think it was a seizure. If it happens again, we've to come back. Thanks for all the replies :)

OP posts:

Montybojangles · 19/08/2013 04:18

Glad he is ok.
Does he have diabetes and use insulin?

Thumbwitch · 19/08/2013 04:30

I know this is going to sound like a weird thing to say but if it does happen again, try to video it.

I know of 2 separate cases where the person involved was fitting but the medics didn't really believe in the fit because there were no after signs. After the second or third time of visiting the doc, they were told to video the fit to "prove" it, or so the doc could see what it actually was.

DrDolittle · 19/08/2013 06:39

You need to go to the GP. I have (had) epilepsy and the seizures and come in many forms - the not so serious ones, I got right back up again. Some people have seizures that are only at night, so see if you can be a "lighter sleeper" than normal for a while (hard to do, I know!), you could see if the seiures are regular. If it is night seizures, then maybe they happen at a similar time of night (related to a particular part of the sleep cycle) so maybe you could stay up late to keep an eye on him for a couple of weeks? Not all seizures involve heavy/uncontrollable fitting (so may not wake you up), it depends on the seriousness of the seizure.

The GP should refer you to a consultant neurologist, who will probably first do an EEG to test the brain's electrical function. The GP may not refer you if it is a single seizure, which is why you need to know if he regularly has them.

He shouldn't drive, operate heavy machinery, go swimming or have a bath on his own, or it himself in any other dangerous situation (edge of a cliff etc.) for a while.

Good luck - if it is epilepsy, it normally isn't life changing.

DogonBed · 19/08/2013 06:45

I second Dr Dolittle's advice (ironic name btw)

I'm curious what made you decide it was a seizure. That's a fairly drastic thing to assume unless you were sure...in which case why have the Drs done nothing and dismissed it?

A&E are fabulous at dealing with here and now 'do we need to save this life/treat?' They are not good at long term conditions. Had I posted I would have said not A&E but go to the GP to discuss properly.

honeybeeridiculous · 19/08/2013 16:12

Hi Daleybump
My DD had her first seizure totally out of the blue in Dec, then another one in her sleep in Feb, she is now on daily meds and cant drive for a year, she was able to walk to the ambulance after first seizure, we didnt take her to a&e after 2nd one, her partner was with her and hes a nurse, just went to GP next day. Shes had MRI and EEG both normal, but they were most definately seizures she had. Apparently epilepsy can strike at any time without warning. Hope you have no more incidences, its pretty scary to witness.

Thumbwitch · 20/08/2013 01:16

Hi Daley - I should have added to my post about videoing the fit that in both cases, there was something wrong, despite the docs non-belief in the fits.

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