What exactly constitutes a seizure? I’ve been looking into this in relation to PCS, and had always assumed it was the typical uncontrollable movements. It appears that sudden signs of fatigue and change in breathing can be signs of seizures.
When I have crashes, the shutdown is so sudden and so hard that it does feel like something has suddenly “gone wrong”. I can’t bring myself to talk, nor can I continue to stand and at the very least I’ll need a period of rest to recover. This is accompanied by laboured breathing, as if I’d suddenly been running or doing something strenuous.
Is this simply the normal onset of fatigue? It is curious that I can never ascertain what triggers the very impactful crash.
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It can be quite varied and is best to get the advice of a neurologist.It can involve absences and the inability to speak or remember the episode without involuntary movements.
There are potentially many minor symptoms such as tremors, inability to speak and so on that others may notice but you won't and fatigue is not always present.
A lot of epilepsy sites have advice on what constitutes a seizure however I would advise only looking at reputable sources.
A lot of sites, such as here, are great for sharing experiences and support.
Seizures vary, as said. Many people assume it is the uncontrollable movements and convulsions or fits but that is just one particular type.
There are also partial and absence seizures, which I suffer from, which may or may not be visible to others or that you may not even be aware of. My son will say to me “you’ve just had a seizure Mum” when I’ve been completely oblivious.
Other times when on my own, I can become aware of ‘feeling different’ for a few seconds. On other occasions my mind goes completely blank and momentarily I don’t know what I’m doing or where I was going and according to medical advice that is also an absence seizure.
In my experience partial seizures have been more severe, usually involving loss of consciousness which has caused a few problems. I usually have no recollection afterwards.
As Sentinel says, seek the advice of a neurologist if you are in doubt or concerned.
I can only tell you what about my focal seizures-focal because they’re directly related to the brain abscesses on right and left side. I don’t usually fall at all but my upper body shakes and I can’t speak. They’re now controlled with two different anticonvulsants.
I’m no expert at all but am passing on what the Neurologists have told me and I think they’re all different. Mine can also be triggered by extreme stress, but only extreme. I’m told my Support Workers how long they’ve lasted as I can never tell. I do not usually lose consciousness or foam at the mouth-the experts say that these are ‘frank’ seizures which a close friend suffered until she saw a Neurologist who specialised and worked at Manchester University. The seizures have since ceased.
Hope these replies have helped to clear one or two things up for you.
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