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Original poster

First adult seizure

33 replies

KatieLily12 · 29/10/2013 19:08

Hi

I need some quick support. During bath time my partner had a very sudden seizure. He was talking to the baby and made a strange noise and started to slump to floor. I worked with children with epilepsy so went into auto pilot and made him and baby safe.

Now it's over and he's fine I'm terrified. We've called the out of hours team and I've got him resting and safe while I settle little one.

Has anyone experienced this or have any helpful advice? Obviously drs first thing but I'm now struggling to think straight.

It's very different seeing someone you love fit to someone in your care. I

OP posts:
TiredDog · 29/10/2013 19:10

Hugs. It's terrifying when it's someone you love.

He needs a neuro appt, MRI and full neuro assessment which I'm sure they will arrange for him in next couple of weeks. He can't drive or do bath time with babies :(

SauvignonBlanche · 29/10/2013 19:11

Oh bless you, how scary! Thank goodness you knew what to do.
I had my first seizure at 21, I wasn't happy about it at all but am very well controlled now.
Good luck to you and your DP. Flowers

TiredDog · 29/10/2013 19:12

He will be disorientated and confused. It's frightening for him but just let him talk.

SauvignonBlanche · 29/10/2013 19:14

Make sure you explain what has happened.

Original poster
KatieLily12 · 29/10/2013 19:18

I laid him on the floor and talked very gently while he came round. I asked him if he could tell me about the last few minutes and what he could remember. I explained what I saw and we played gently with our 12 month old who was quite distressed by it all.

It last 15-20 seconds (I started counting the minute I realised) so not a significant fit. He describes the taste if metal and blacking out. He's exhausted now.

Thank you for all your quick responses. It really really means a lot

OP posts:
SauvignonBlanche · 29/10/2013 19:20

Sounds like you've done all the right things. Did Out of Hours suggest anything other than the GP in the morning?

hairtwiddler · 29/10/2013 19:24

My brother in law had this a few years ago. His partner was really upset by it. Be kind to yourself after such a shock.
Bil fine now. Medicated and back to work and driving (he had a year long ban)

Original poster
KatieLily12 · 29/10/2013 19:32

Still waiting for call. I want to organise either ambulance or family to take to hospital as per NHS guidelines/ epilepsy action but he's insistent we wait for after hours call back.

Baby monitor on reverse

OP posts:
NationMcKinley · 29/10/2013 19:37

Has he ever had a fit before? If not and it was definitely a seizure rather than a faint, then he needs to go to hospital ASAP as potentially (and as you have experience in this you will be aware) he's at risk of another, more serious / prolonged fit. Really hope he's ok and well done on keeping so calm! Please let us know how he is

Original poster
KatieLily12 · 29/10/2013 19:42

Currently trying to explain this too him. Going to have to play the 'think of the baby' card.

It def wasn't more than 30 secs. It was like when one of my kids used to cluster. The small before the big.

Could it have been a faint? I'm now pleading with Faye that it was.

OP posts:
Original poster
KatieLily12 · 29/10/2013 19:43

Fate!

I don't think Faye can help

OP posts:
MillyONaire · 29/10/2013 19:45

I had my first (and only) seizure at 36. It was a grand mal seizure (shaking, foaming at the mouth and lost consciousness) and I was taken to hospital in an ambulance. I had a horrendous headache and was sick for the rest of the day. I also had fuzzy memories of that day for a while. I had a cat scan that day to rule out a tumour or anything like that. When I saw a neurologist he was convinced that they must have missed something as it is so rare (he said) to have a first seizure at my age. I went on to have an EEG and a MRI. All clear and the conclusion was that I am susceptible to seizures (flashing lights always made me feel a bit woozy and flashing lights triggered that one). I was not allowed to drive for 12 months, and for the next three years had to have a doctors cert for my car insurance but I never had another (5years on) even though in that first year after I did have more episodes of dizziness - though I might have been a bit paranoid about them. It was terrifying - mainly for Dh and my DC who were with me and expected the worst but from my experience one off seizures can happen without a sinister cause. Hopefully it will be a one off for your dh too.

Original poster
KatieLily12 · 29/10/2013 20:15

Dr on call and her senior ( I chucked a wobbler so they got a second opinion) thinks he should see GP in morning. From the events leading up to it they think it was like a faint but where he didn't get flat straight away it caused a small seizure. Not epilepsy but similar symptoms.

I'm not convinced but I can't force him. His speech is off but he's arms reach till we see the dr tomorrow.

Thanks everyone. It's been very very helpful on here tonight.

OP posts:
NationMcKinley · 29/10/2013 20:54

Fainting can definitely mimic a fit: like you say, if someone hasn't 'fully' fainted, so to speak, they can twitch and appear as though they're fitting. What was he doing prior to the episode? Did he stand up from sitting? Has he ever had low blood pressure? Is he well at the moment with no bugs etc? I would keep a close eye on him, not let him have a bath or lock the door when he goes to the loo and make sure he's well hydrated. If you're at all concerned or if he seems unwell in any way, then get medical advice ASAP

BoreOfWhabylon · 29/10/2013 21:01

If his speech is still affected (unless I misunderstood you?) then I would call 999.

Very frightening for you. You kept a cool head and did all the right things Flowers

TheArticFunky · 29/10/2013 21:25

Definitely call 999 if his speech has been affected.

duchesse · 29/10/2013 21:33

And give him an aspirin if you have one to hand. (not paracetamol or ibuprofen but proper aspirin).

TiredDog · 29/10/2013 21:52

In what way is his speech 'off' For a small fit he shouldn't really have any prolonged issues like that?

ICameOnTheJitney · 29/10/2013 21:58

I agree about the speech...you can't mess with waiting overnight...go to casulaty or call 999.

NationMcKinley · 29/10/2013 21:58

Didn't see the bit about speech. In what way is it off? duchesse what is the indication for aspirin?

charitymum · 29/10/2013 21:58

How scary for you all but you've been making good decisions. If his speech is strange call 999 now. Let the doctors review him. You could be home in couple hours reassured. And if he needs help he will be in best place.

FarToGo · 29/10/2013 22:12

Why would you recommend Aspirin?

A sudden drop in blood pressure causes hypotension which can lead to a vaso vagal episode (faint).
The symptoms are similar to a fit but typically are short.
Did he go very pale and sweaty? Vomit? Wet himself? Bite his tongue? Eyes roll? Make grunty noises? Some of these things can be a clear indication of either a seizure or faint.
If indeed his speech has been affected then that could be a whole different ball game and you need to be dialling 999 - not to alarm you but people can also seize during a stroke, due to a temporary interruption to blood flow.....
Hope that helps x

charitymum · 29/10/2013 22:27

Aspirin is first course of action for out of hospital care for a potential stroke. It is unlikely that this is the case here but generally - if there is no reason for patient to avoid aspirin - it's not a bad thing to do. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant-it would help thin a clot.

OP a stroke is unlikely. I'm hoping that as you've not come back you've either popped to hospital or he is much better and symptomless and you've gone to bed!

Original poster
KatieLily12 · 30/10/2013 09:28

Thanks all

His speech got better and he was exhausted. Put him to bed and thanks to non sleeping baby (finally, an advantage!) I checked on him v regularly.

Had a massive row this morning over him going to work. Men are so stubborn!?!? Threatened to call his mum.... Worked a charm.

There's a history of strokes in family so I'm watching him like a hawk. Forbidden him from work in hard to reach attic room. He's working from home, taking fluids regularly and we're waiting for dr callback for next steps.

I'm kicking myself that I didn't just call 999 but had baby in bath and trying to make him safe on floor so by time got baby out the moment felt like it had passed.

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 30/10/2013 09:41

Please make sure the doctor knows that his speech was affected for some time afterwards.

Are you able to go with him to explain what actually happened? Especially if he is inclined to downplay things.

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