I had a fit last night

[Ihadafit]

Just need some hand-holding and impressions.

My DP was woken up last night by me "having a fit" - me eyes were open and vacant, I was completely unresponsive and shaking violently.

I hope this isn't epilepsy etc. Thankfully I already have a GP appointment booked for this afternoon.

Really, really, scared...

The impression is growing nobody here gives a toss.

They've not even given me my morning medication.

Luckily I have an alternative hospital close to home, seems I may have to become acquainted!

Have you a teaching hospital local, they are usually on the ball. What have they said about ct?

Fucking NHS :(

This is probably not helpful but a friend of mine had sudden seizures very quickly increasing in frequency and it turned out to be autoimmune encephalitis. Very tricky to diagnose and only a couple of places in the country can test for it but he sure didn't get discharged until they had an answer.

Can you just go to a hospital in a different city? My friend was in Cambridge if that's not too far from you?

I'm at a teaching hospital!

No information about CT yet - I asked.
No information about bloods.
No information about when I'm likely to have an EEG.

Despite excruciating pain in my upper right abdominal area (clearly unrelated to seizures but OOH GP suggested gallbladder issues) there's no urgency to get anything done.

What a worrying time for you OP. Unfortunately my experience of time spent in hospital is that everything grinds to a halt at the weekends and unless you suddenly become an emergency case you won't get any more answers until Monday at the earliest.

You are in a place of safety just now.

Normal/negative results are less likely to be communicated quickly - I'm not defending that but it is a fact and due to it being more pressured to get abnormal results actioned.

I think your choice is to either sit tight (advantage: if you take further seizures, help is at hand; disadvantage: nothing much may 'happen' until Monday) or go home (advantage: you are in the comfort of your own home, you won't likely 'miss' anything much over the weekend; disadvantage: you and your DP are on your own if anything happens).
CT scans may be looked at by your treating 'team', but an official report will only be issued by a consultant radiologist and that may well be Monday if there is nothing barn door obvious on it.

It IS frustrating when something to out of the ordinary and frightening happens to you (as an individual), medically speaking what you are going through is sadly not that uncommon.
Trying to figure out what's going on is like detective work, following one lead to the next and not just a matter of one test result, much as a normal CT scan result would of course be reassuring.

No no no to slagging off the NHS . The coalition gov passed a bill which allows 50% - 50% - of beds in NHS hospitals to be private .

OP I so sympathise ,it must be very frightening .And frustrating . .

But Pacific has it I think .I would probably stay put if I were you .

I agree with pp on this, my personal experience of this type of thing was dealt with quickly and as an emergency. I was in icu and remember nothing thankfully. So I would stay where you are so they continue their investigations. Serious findings from ct would be dealt with quickly and they would communicate those with you. So try not to worry too much.

CT Results not known until Monday.
As 24+ hrs since last seizure looking at EEG and MRI as outpatient.

Neurologist doesn't care about my upper abdo pain despite it being excruciating, present for three days and with additional symptoms.

So, if they will discharge me today I will wrap around to A&E and go through process to get surgically assessed. Neuro said "go to your gp". WTF.

That is very odd. The last time I had a ct the results where looked at there and then and I was then admitted to neuro ward for further treatment, which was pretty grim tbh but thats a whole other thread.
I think the positives here are that although its unclear what the matter is they have most likely ruled out things which need immediate action. Of course neuro do not treat unrelated conditions so they will most likely refer you to the appropriate team etc.
I know this is a very worrying time for you so I am sending you well wishes and hope you get answers soon

Infections and high temperatures can cause seizures, might be that there is an infection causing your pain AND the seizures, but the bloods should show that.

I think it will depend where Ihadafit is.

If the hospital where she is has its own neuro department, then it's a bit different than if it's a hospital that would need to refer on to the regional neuro centre. Also, the EEGs are done regionally. The hospitals that are within the region of the referral centre have to refer a patient, then they dish out the appointments.

EEGs aren't really emergencies. They are useful. Certainly. But if someone is having seizures that need to be treating, an EEG won't change that. There are only a few situations where an EEG would be an emergency.

CT scans are only a real emergency if someone will need urgent surgery as a result of the scan - that's the sort of stuff you don't need to be an expert to see. That massive white blob that shouldn't be there...that's blood. Get it out. If there had been anything life or death urgent, they would have phoned the regional neuro unit and uplinked your scan over for their opinion. Otherwise, you just wait until the radiologist can do their report on it.

It's good that you haven't had a seizure for 24 hours.

You poor thing. This sounds terrifying.

Have been discharged. Still in agony.

My hospital has its own neuro department and is allegedly one of the leaders in my part of the country.

Still no additional seizure - not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

Sorry you're in agony - have you got pain relief ? Would a hot water bottle help ??

Perhaps you'll get more rest at home ,you must be shattered !

OP I'm sorry about what sounds like appalling care, I am an NHS HCP and can honestly say we would not discharge patients in the condition you were, that said the NHS is in a difficult situation so not everyone gets the care they should. Sadly weekends are not good not a lot happens!! I myself would refuse to discharge someone in your condition.

I hope you feel better tell your DH that if you have another seizure to dial 999, then on Monday contact PALS and complain, I had to do this recently as my dh's care in the hospital I work was sub standard and after this suddenly everything fell into place. This is not good enough and it staggers me that you have been let down by your GP and your local hospital. Next time stand your ground and don't be intimidated its your health and you only get one chance. Good luck.

Hope you had a better night back in your own bed. How are you feeling today?

It was wonderful to be home, in my own bed, with my lovely family around me supporting me.

I don't feel great, was told my CT and blood results won't be assessed until Monday. They are organising MRI and EEG as urgent outpatient appointments.

I'm feeling quite calm about the seizures, what will be will be. Totally pointless worrying about something I have no control over.

I'm in severe upper abdominal pain still, and it's not easing, tramadol and naproxen aren't even taking the edge off :(

Really appreciate all the support I've had in this thread. I couldn't have gotten through the last few days otherwise. I'm collating all my information about my treatment and going to contact PALS tomorrow or Tuesday.

Perhaps the pain is from the muscle spasms? You could have injured yourself in the seizure. Hoping you get some answers soon.

Could you have cracked a rib or something ? Though odd that the pain killers don't touch it .I wonder if the muscles might be in permanent spasm ??

Has the pain coincided with the fits ?

Glad you're being looked after at home at least .

Pain started on Tuesday, first seizure was on Wednesday morning.

So it's possible they are related.

Thanks so much for the well wishes, I'm calm but scared at the moment. At least the scratches on my chest are starting to heal - scratching yourself in seizure isn't fun!

Thinking of you OP. Hope you get the pain under control and get some answers.

Is there anything new in your Medication mix that could be causing you issues OP?.

I ask, because I have experienced a hospitalising medical condition caused by the contraindication of two drugs that I was put on (for a different condition).

Doctors do sometimes make mistakes and I have certainly learnt now to always check the contraindications on drugs before taking anything new.

Last change to my medication was six months ago.

It's a good idea though, thanks for asking :)

Am expecting a phone call today or letter next couple of days for the EEG and MRI.

I've had two "mini" seizures yesterday. Hands/Legs start shaking, then I just go blank for a minute or so. Very weird feeling, it's as if I lose my mind for a short amount of time. Takes a long while to re-orientate myself afterwards.