Tonic clinic seizure
Discussion
Firstly apolgies if that isn't quite right. My son (32 yrs ) recently suffered one and has just had his driving licence suspended pending further diagnosis. Loss of the licence effectively ends his job, although his consultant says that he is not unfit for work. I agree that stopping him driving is the right thing at the moment, even though he has been fine ever since the episode.
It's early doors but he is scheduled for an mri and a 24hr cardiac monitoring session. What could have caused this, what is the worst case scenario? At the moment we all are grateful that we stil have him around, he drives around a lot in his job and at least he collapsed at home with his wife at his side so help came quickly. Obviously this all could have been so different. I'd appreciate informed feedback, sympathy i don't want as i feel there are more deserving cases. I have a lot to be thankful for, I'm normally a strong father figure but this one has got me struggling. Less serious posters need not apply,your thoughts please. Regards, Paul
It's early doors but he is scheduled for an mri and a 24hr cardiac monitoring session. What could have caused this, what is the worst case scenario? At the moment we all are grateful that we stil have him around, he drives around a lot in his job and at least he collapsed at home with his wife at his side so help came quickly. Obviously this all could have been so different. I'd appreciate informed feedback, sympathy i don't want as i feel there are more deserving cases. I have a lot to be thankful for, I'm normally a strong father figure but this one has got me struggling. Less serious posters need not apply,your thoughts please. Regards, Paul
Hey Paul.
any number of things can cause a seizure, sometimes there is no definitive cause.
im my case, i had 2 seizures during my sleep in january, gave up my licence, had a CT and MRI and was diagnosed with a brain tumour which was removed in April. 5 weeks after the op i was back at work. im on anti convulsants for the seizures for life and its 2 years before i get my licence back. im lucky that my jobs not affected and have been very supportive during the whole thing.
In all likelyhood, your son will not be affected to my extent, but if he is that its very treatable nowadays.
The http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/ website is very good and has lots of good info.
any number of things can cause a seizure, sometimes there is no definitive cause.
im my case, i had 2 seizures during my sleep in january, gave up my licence, had a CT and MRI and was diagnosed with a brain tumour which was removed in April. 5 weeks after the op i was back at work. im on anti convulsants for the seizures for life and its 2 years before i get my licence back. im lucky that my jobs not affected and have been very supportive during the whole thing.
In all likelyhood, your son will not be affected to my extent, but if he is that its very treatable nowadays.
The http://www.epilepsy.org.uk/ website is very good and has lots of good info.
Could be lots of things I'm afraid. I work for the ambulance service, and I wouldn't (neither should anyone else) guess what's wrong based on the limited info you've given.
He is under stress? Did he have meningitis as a child?
Re: driving. He will lose his car licence for at least one year but if he has a C1 or D1 (or HGV) then it will be a number of years.
PS: don't go Googling it: you will only read worst case!
He is under stress? Did he have meningitis as a child?
Re: driving. He will lose his car licence for at least one year but if he has a C1 or D1 (or HGV) then it will be a number of years.
PS: don't go Googling it: you will only read worst case!
Here are the regulations:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx
Seizures are rarely the result of a tumour. This is the worst case scenario. They can be caused by drugs, alcohol, stress or be completely spontaneous.
Unfortunately, your son will almost certainly have his licence revoked for a year...see the standards above. That's what happened to me. Your consultant will give you up to date advice on the driving regulations.
Unfortunately I have years of experience with epilepsy - caused by tumours in my case.
I suffer from multiple meningioma. I had a benign tumours removed in 2001 and 2006. I had a malignant tumour removed last year. I've not had that many seizures since 2006. 7 in all. 5 tonic clonic, 2 nocturnal. I have suffered from regular auras though (if on anticonvulsants, these are controlled seizures effectively) The auras made me feel like a seizure was imminent or gave me severe headaches or made me feel sick or disorientated. These are a lot better since my medication was changed.
One important piece of advice. If he has another seizure, get the person with him to time the duration. If its more than five minutes, call an ambulance. If he drops in and out of a seizure, total the durations. If they reach five minutes, call an ambulance. Most seizures are 2 - 3 minutes,, but if you or a member of your family are unsure, just call an ambulance.
During the seizure, move any objects away from him that he could hurt himself on. If inside, put a pillow behind his head. If outside, use a jacket. When its over put him in he recovery position - here is the NHS video on this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py6i884c9JE that covers this.
Some things to think about before you see the consultant:
Think about your medical history. The consultant will want to know. He will also want to know if he has any warning signs - vision changes, flashing lights, funny smells, feelings of having been here before (deja vu) - there lots of others. The consultant will ask.
Make sure you have a list of questions for the consultant before you go. Take notes. Don't be shy, get him/her to answer all the questions in layman's terms.
Your son will probably be placed on anticonvulsants. If so what are they and what are the potential side effects.
Get an epilepsy chain or band. This is very useful if an ambulance turns up as the symbol is international. If he stars medication, its useful to have a note in his wallet that lists the type and strength of the medication.
Here is some useful info:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Epilepsy/Pages/Sympto...
I forgot to add this. Epilepsy is considered a disability. His company cannot make him redundant because of this as this would come under the disability at work act. See the ACAS site and the government website for details. If they were to get rid of him because of his condition, then he could take them to an unfair dismissal tribunal. The company is also required to make a "reasonable adjustment" to his working conditions.
I'll keep an eye on this post, so if you want more info...
Most important of all - What ever happens, he will be OK. I should know - 14 years and I'm still being a pain in the arse and have my faculties intact.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx
Seizures are rarely the result of a tumour. This is the worst case scenario. They can be caused by drugs, alcohol, stress or be completely spontaneous.
Unfortunately, your son will almost certainly have his licence revoked for a year...see the standards above. That's what happened to me. Your consultant will give you up to date advice on the driving regulations.
Unfortunately I have years of experience with epilepsy - caused by tumours in my case.
I suffer from multiple meningioma. I had a benign tumours removed in 2001 and 2006. I had a malignant tumour removed last year. I've not had that many seizures since 2006. 7 in all. 5 tonic clonic, 2 nocturnal. I have suffered from regular auras though (if on anticonvulsants, these are controlled seizures effectively) The auras made me feel like a seizure was imminent or gave me severe headaches or made me feel sick or disorientated. These are a lot better since my medication was changed.
One important piece of advice. If he has another seizure, get the person with him to time the duration. If its more than five minutes, call an ambulance. If he drops in and out of a seizure, total the durations. If they reach five minutes, call an ambulance. Most seizures are 2 - 3 minutes,, but if you or a member of your family are unsure, just call an ambulance.
During the seizure, move any objects away from him that he could hurt himself on. If inside, put a pillow behind his head. If outside, use a jacket. When its over put him in he recovery position - here is the NHS video on this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py6i884c9JE that covers this.
Some things to think about before you see the consultant:
Think about your medical history. The consultant will want to know. He will also want to know if he has any warning signs - vision changes, flashing lights, funny smells, feelings of having been here before (deja vu) - there lots of others. The consultant will ask.
Make sure you have a list of questions for the consultant before you go. Take notes. Don't be shy, get him/her to answer all the questions in layman's terms.
Your son will probably be placed on anticonvulsants. If so what are they and what are the potential side effects.
Get an epilepsy chain or band. This is very useful if an ambulance turns up as the symbol is international. If he stars medication, its useful to have a note in his wallet that lists the type and strength of the medication.
Here is some useful info:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Epilepsy/Pages/Sympto...
I forgot to add this. Epilepsy is considered a disability. His company cannot make him redundant because of this as this would come under the disability at work act. See the ACAS site and the government website for details. If they were to get rid of him because of his condition, then he could take them to an unfair dismissal tribunal. The company is also required to make a "reasonable adjustment" to his working conditions.
I'll keep an eye on this post, so if you want more info...
Most important of all - What ever happens, he will be OK. I should know - 14 years and I'm still being a pain in the arse and have my faculties intact.
Edited by douglasr on Sunday 24th June 18:59
Thanks for all the input so far, it seems his consultant has ruled out epilepsy but of course without further investigation it's all speculation. He works for a national company installing and repairing equipment for less abled people, so at least there should be set procedures in place rather than a knee jerk "he's a liability, get rid" reaction. Meanwhile he and his wife have to live and sick pay is pants. By live i mean pay the rent. The difficult thing is that until we know exactly what it is we face, it's hard to know what to do. He and his brother are like mates to me, not sons and i am finding it difficult to say the least. Thanks again for the kind words and advice it really does help. Regards, Paul
Hope he gets it sorted.
My brother has some kind of fit/seizure at random times. Doc's have been involved for about 5 or 6 years now. He is not medicated, but they did say ruling out epilepsy is impossible, the doc he saw said it cannot be reliably done.
As for the cause of the fits, we seem to have got it narrowed down to if he doesn't eat properly, has a good bit of alcohol one day, and the next we expect him to have an episode.
My brother has some kind of fit/seizure at random times. Doc's have been involved for about 5 or 6 years now. He is not medicated, but they did say ruling out epilepsy is impossible, the doc he saw said it cannot be reliably done.
As for the cause of the fits, we seem to have got it narrowed down to if he doesn't eat properly, has a good bit of alcohol one day, and the next we expect him to have an episode.
I had a similar experience in my early 20s and was diagnosed as probably epileptic but as I only ever had two fits it was impossible to be sure. I was on drugs for about 5 years and then slowly came off them and have never had another problem. So as others have said try not to worry too much, which I know is hard, as there are very many possible outcomes, most of them not too serious.
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