What happens after a seizure?

[BobbieE]

Hello, my partner was diagnosed with epilepsy 2 weeks ago, started with small focal seizures but had 3 massive clonic seizures which ended with him falling and smashing his head open 2 weeks ago. When my partner comes round from these it’s very scary, almost like he’s possessed, he tried to hit the wall, get into bath, I understand he has no clue where he is when he comes round but it’s very scary especially as we have young children and he’s so strong it’s hard to guide him away from danger (as he was falling about and into things). When researching about epilepsy and seizures it only really describes how after the seizure the person will sleep for hours I can’t find much about similar situations, has anyone else experienced similar to this?

[Adlon57]

I have juvenile myoclonic epilepsy that happens to me, not that I know anything about it, I was told I walk around seemingly like a demonic egit swearing away, completely out of character, I had a seizure in a bath flooded the bathroom water going down the stairs [when I have a bath, now almost subconsciously put my toe around the plug chain], my seizures seem to be more under control 🤞 maybe due to medication or my body adjusted to the epilepsy [had it for over 50 years, over 400+ seizures] yes after the seizure my 'brain' is drained and a few hours sleep is needed, usually very deeply. Many years ago in the 70's when working in the post office, when I was aware of having a seizure, co-workers would lift me up and through me into the mail bags! I am lucky in the respect I have auras before, usually about 20 seconds, so able to jump into a bed, comfortable sofa, etc, rarely went out, but have had 5 of the 'things' since nov. 2017 [dec.2019 my last] I live on my own but have members of family close by. You can tell apparently after a seizure via my eyes, staring bad and tightened posture, not able to reply to questions, could be for a few minutes! My last episode in that vein was about ten years ago when over the phone, I swore etc, throwing things completely incoherent, but now start shaking, throwing my head against the ground, lasting for a few moments, waking up feeling dog tired [where's the nearest bed?]. I did have a double seizure in Jan. 2018, I fractured my skull, actually down in my health centre, due to my local 'hospital's' incompetence I am now in line for a major Skull MRI, because of side effects of that situation, but that was definitely due to change of epilepsy medication, going through at least four at that particular time [from Nov. 2017 - April 2018]!

[EpilepsyAction1 Partner Epilepsy Action]

Hi BobbieE

It sounds like things are difficult following your partner’s seizures. It must be tough to deal with.

After a seizure, it’s quite usual for someone to be confused, have a headache, feel sleepy or have problems with vision or speech. Some people may feel anxious or unhappy for hours or days after a seizure.

Very rarely, a person might have a condition called post-ictal state or psychosis. This can be very frightening and can change a person’s behaviour. It can cause them to behave in the way you describe for your partner. The best treatment for this behaviour is by controlling the seizures. If you haven’t already, please do talk to your partners epilepsy team. They can review your partne’rs treatment epilepsy.org.uk/info/children

I hope you hear from others in this community who have had a similar experience to you and your partner. If you don’t, as well as managing the HealthUnlocked community, Epilepsy Action has other ways for you to contact others. These are:

Facebook facebook.com/epilepsyaction

Twitter twitter.com/epilepsyaction

Online community forum.epilepsy.org.uk/

Virtual meetings epilepsy.org.uk/virtual-groups

I’m not sure how old your children are but we have information to help young children to understand epilepsy on the Just for Kids section of our website. This includes a book ‘My dad has epilepsy’. If you would like a printed copy of this book please contact us directly (see below) with your full name and postal address. epilepsy.org.uk/info/children

If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact us again on this platform. Or you can contact us directly by email [e-mail] or the Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. Our helpline is open Monday to Thursday 8.30am until 8.00pm, Friday 8.30am until 4.30pm and Saturday 10.00am until 4.00pm.

Regards

Diane

Epilepsy Action Helpline Team

[elvinchard]

There is a great medicine for epilepsy called [ridofdepression.com/product... 2mg)[/url] Apart from preventing epilepsy it also treat other disorders like restless leg syndrome ( severe urge to move legs), tic disorder ( making sudden movements and voices again and again) and panic disorder.

[katidid]

I have a different type of seizures but my dear friend had severe, ongoing tonic clonic seizures for years. What you described is 10000000% what would happen when he came out of the seizure. Totally out of it, would grab and take random objects, sometimes know who I was but he’d think it was like ten years ago, say odd things and his worst was wandering off. Similarly he’s very strong, so trying to “contain him” took some strategy and creativity. Hard when it was in public. What I learned over the years was to get him into a small, safe space as quickly as possible and then just really go at him mentally. Asking him questions, correcting his answers, having him repeat sayings and phrases, etc. the focus was getting his brain to reset faster. After awhile we all - his friends and family - learned the techniques that worked best. I really recommend talking to other ppl and asking your Neuro about techniques they use or know of and try things out.

I have complex partial seizures. I go mostly “offline” and we use a similar approach before I rest. For me, counting works. Whoever is with me starts counting and does 1-10 repeatedly until I start joining in. We don’t stop until I can do it myself. Then I go and rest. I learned this from a Neurologist when I had a seizure in his office. He had me focus on him by holding my hand and maintaining eye contact even when I kept looking away and then worked me into counting and doing sequences.

It’s so simple, but it helps 90% of the time. Not all of us go to sleep or rest right after, even if we’re exhausted, so gotta get that brain to reset as quickly as possible. It also seems to prevent more. I have “rollers” (back to back seizures). Breaking the seizure cycle helps keep this in check.

Hopefully this helps!