I am 11 i was at school and me and my freinds were playing on the apperaters ( a playground with bridges) i was standing on the bridge when my friend (renaye) suddenley said shes having a fit. The girl having a fit was called marriella. i wasnt surprised she had a fit cuz our class knows shes a epileptic.
i turned around and she was standing right infront of me. i got so scared. we were all calling miss then i saw her fall of the bridge and i thought she banged her head on the pole but luckly she did not. The 5eacher came and grabbed her while others surrounded helping her. that wasnt her first though she has them often she keeps twitching her mouth i feel really sorry for her my uncles a epileptic aswell.

Lydia:

Short and sweet answers:
1) His facial muscles were probably seizing too, which can take the form of just going limp, like in a stroke.
2) He can't choke on his tongue, but his lips may clench shut, making him sputter and cough when he breathes. It's not likely to hurt him.
3) Put him in the recovery position after the seizure, don't try to move him around during it.
4) It's entirely possible that something is happening in his life every year, for example increased stress due to finals if he is in school.

Now, more in-depth:

I'm by no means an epilepsy expert, but I saw you just posted yesterday and I stumbled upon this today, so I wanted to give you information right now. This is based mostly on my personal experience with my wife, who had her first seizure almost out of nowhere after we'd been dating two or three years. Her epilepsy is well-controlled now, and it's been almost three years since her fourth and last seizure, so my experiences are by now thankfully distant.

Your experience sounds almost identical to mine the first time my wife had a seizure. I particularly remember the wide-open eyes, staring right through me. It's still chilling to think about it, years later. Fortunately, once you've seen it and you know what's happening, it gets a lot less scary.

The most important thing to remember during the seizure itself is to STAY CALM. Don't try to restrain him. Just try to keep him from hurting himself, for example by moving things that he may bang an arm or a leg into. You can try to keep his arms and legs away from other things if you think he's in danger, but don't try to hold them in place or anything. During the seizure, your job is basically damage control, and staying calm. There's not a lot more to tell. Stay calm, stay out of the way, and STAY CALM. (It can be scary, so I'm emphasizing the stay calm part.)

After the seizure, he will probably enter what's called the postictal state. ('Postictal' just means 'after seizure.' Clever, I know.) During this state, he'll no longer be actively seizing, but he'll be VERY disoriented. As in "Wait, am I still in college, because I could swear I graduated, but what year is it again?" Now your job is to be reassuring, and tell him (probably repeatedly, as it usually takes a while for memory to get back up to speed) what just happened, where he is, and what's going on. He may be injured, but just keep telling him that you're there, and he's going to be okay. This is also when you'll want to put him in the recovery position. He should be aware enough that you won't just be pushing dead weight around.

Once he's fully recovered, see to any injuries he may have suffered. If he's seriously injured, call for an ambulance as soon as it happens, of course, but otherwise, don't try to move him until he's fully aware.

The postictal state can be really weird. After my wife's second seizure (in bed, thankfully, early in the morning), I mistakenly assumed she was more aware than she actually was (this was before I really understood how the postictal state worked), and told her what had happened before she was fully recovered or awake, so she didn't remember me telling her. Later, I called my dad and let him know what had happened, and he let the rest of the family know. Later that day, when we were all gathered together, she couldn't understand why everyone was so concerned about her until I finally sat her down and convinced her that she'd had a seizure that morning! She ended up being the last to know!

Her fourth, she had just after she'd washed her hands, and so she didn't have her wedding ring on. As a result, while she was coming out of it, she kept looking at her hand and trying to figure out if she had just dreamed that we'd gotten married and moved across the country!

So remember, STAY CALM. Don't try to move him until the seizure is over. Once it's over, stay with him, and keep him calm and reassured.

Lisa,
Your comment mirrors my own so much, I couldn't help but add my own reply.
An hour ago, I returned from the hospital where my fiance is overnighting tonight.
It started this morning, and he recovered better than I've seen before, so although I expressed my reservations, I didn't kick up when he sent the paramedics packing after they'd examined him.
Four hours later, same again, but I got him to the GP that time. Then on to the hospital.
He had another seizure there.
I can now accurately spot when these episodes occur:
He's been "stoppageing" for a week,
Lack of sleep,
Lack of food.
Just proir to a seizure, I see what I term a "super-stoppage." Any stimulus will then set off a seizure. On one occasion, he was looking at me, and I just inclined my head to encourage him to respond to a question. That's all it took.
After a seizure, he doesn't know where he is (or even know that he's on the floor). Today, he couldn't remember MY name when quizzed by the paramedics!
But going back to your comment, Lisa. Every time he moved suddenly, or coughed today, my stomach did that big lurchy panic thing. That's why I refused to even drive home to pick up an overnight kit for him, I knew we'd never get to the hospital.

Thanks to this website, I can basically do the right things when it happens. And I know I am not alone.

Hi Joe,
Did your mum have a tonic clonic seizure? This is the one people call a major seizure. During this type of seizure because of the stiffening and convulsing the breathing might stop, or the pattern of breathing can change. So, there is less oxygen than normal in your lungs and the blood circulating in your body is less red than usual. This can cause your skin (particularly around the mouth and under the finger nails) to appear blue in colour. This is called ‘cyanosis’.

When the convulsive part of the seizure is over breathing generally returns to normal. The information on this first aid page gives a general guide as to when to call an ambulance. For information about how to help your mum, it would be a good idea to get some specific information from her GP or specialist. This way you'll have a better idea of when your mum would need an ambulance.

Epilepsy Helpline Team

Me and my boyfriend who is 23 told me he has seizers and stuff. But haven't been there when it happens and here recenlty moved in with him and his mom and he hasn't had none until last night which would be my morning cuz I work the grave yard shift and I know what causes them which is heat and loss of sleep and stress but I was headed up stairs like normally and I turn around cuz I heard the keys fall and I called his name and no answer and so went back down an he was on the floor seizinf and I called his mom cuz I got scared but didn't act like it and I just saw how he looke and how he acted and after he bit his tongue a bunch of spit and stuff came out is tht normal for him to have touble breathing and spit and stuff comin out?
My mom has it to but hers are more worst she gets violent sumtimes and she has died a couple of times and she has pretty much learned how to somewhat controll or knows when its gna happen but how can I tell when my boyfriend is gna have one is there a warning sign or somthing? My mom sumtng like his eyes will start to get yellow in them is tht true? Cuz I understand it to a point but when it happens I jjust want to make sure I don't hurt him or sumthing. Will his pills help shorten the seizers? Cuz he don't like to take them cuz it makes him tired. But just need sum enlightment. I'm a first timer. I hate to sit there and watch him to though tht. Cuz when he is fully awake and took a nap and stuff he ain't the same man he is reserved and quite and how can I show him tht no matter what I'm gna be here always so put a smile and have a awesome day. I think if they sit there and think about what happened earlier then ur gna be like tht but I just to want to have to come home to him gone tht is eatin at me. But he never remembers it happens but after he had it he said he remembers havin it but he just called me and asked if anything happened and I had to tell him and I just broke into tears cuz I just keep seeing it in my head and not being able to do nuthing for him but be there for him... I hope all well and we all can pull through having to watch them go thriugh it... don't be afraid to let them know how it made u feel for the first time and he will comfort you or she will confort you thanks to all.

Few minutes a go I witnessed strong seizure in a cafeteria. I had no idea what to do till I read this article. I saw patients colleagues putting chain of keys and table spoon (metallic object) into the patient's palm. I think they were trying to recover her but it did not help. Thanks to this article now i know how to help, I will also go back and share this information with those people who used keys and spoon for first aid. Thank you,

Doyo
Malaysia.

Hi Kira

It can be really frightening seeing someone you love have a seizure. If it’s a tonic-clonic seizure, although it looks painful to you, your mom won’t in fact be in any pain. She might be afterwards though, when her muscles could be stiff and sore.

It’s not a good idea to put anything in your mom’s mouth when she is having a tonic-clonic seizure. This is because you could break her teeth, damage her jaw, or even block her airway. Your mom’s tongue might be sore after a seizure, but we have never heard of anyone biting theirs off.

It’s not a good idea to restrain her in any way. Just make sure she is safe, and when the seizure us over, follow our first aid instructions.

Kathy
Advice and Information Team

My mom has had epilepsy for a while and I myself have only seen the attacks a couple of times. She's reduced the medication (anti-epileptic) she was on because it stopped happening. A couple of nights ago though, she was very stressed out and it happened again. During the process, I saw her clenching her jaw a lot. I was afraid of her biting her tongue and - using what I had read before - placed a spoon between her teeth. I thought that was correct. According to what I read above, that is untrue. Although someone said it is an 'old wives tale,' isn't it still true that one can bite their tongue off?

Please answer, I really want to be ready next time it happens.

Additionally, I restrained my mom because by the way she was thrashing about, I was scared she would hurt herself. It seems like both things I have been doing are wrong...

And for all those others who have loved ones that have epilepsy - I understand what you are going through. Its so frightening to see a loved one go through this over and over again....Plain scared of what will happen.

I have 2 questions that I would love to have answered if possible!
1. Can drinking or smoking weed increase the chance of having an epileptic fit?
2. Is it possible for an epileptic person to lose the condition completely?

As I was reading all of the posts about seizures on this website, yours stuck out to me the most. I just witnessed my boyfriend having a seizure today and I was so scared out of my mind. I just would like to ask you what are the exact steps you took, did you hold his hand? I was really not sure what to do, luckily his mom and family were around to help him. I know he is suppose to be on his side and have pillows all around. I feel bad because I am a little scared that he is going to do it again and it freaks me out. I want to no the exact steps to take so I can feel more compfortable with the situation. Anything you can add on this matter will really help me a lot. Thanks so much.

some people have a vagal nerve stimulator i.e VNS , so you may find a magnet on their wrist to use to swip the vns in the chest wall helping to shorten the seizure and bring them round quicker. for more information go to.
http://www.vnstherapy.com -

It is interesting to hear that the seizures are at such a time, my daughter also suffers from seizures which generally tend to occur between 7 - 9am and then between 4-7pm. I totally understand how hard it is seeing your child go though such a thing especially as there isnt much you can do to help during a seizure. My daughter has a form of epilepsy which is said to be hereditary however, as far as I am aware there is no one on either mine or my husbands side of the family who suffer with it.

If you are looking for help, try contacting social services as Im sure they can assign a carer occasionally so that you can go about your day to day business. Also contact Disability Living Allowance, my daugher has recently starting receiving this and though them they have given me information on who to contact for help should it be needed. My daughter is also assigned a community epilepsy nurse consultant who regularly checks on her and offers support to the family and guidance on what help is available. She has also been into my daughters school and trained a few of the teachers on what to do in the event of a seizure, and all these little things help her lead a normal life. Your daughters consultant should be able to give you information about a community epilepsy nurse.

Hope this helps and hope she is doing well.

I just witnessed my 1st seizure that my boyfriend had just the other morning in his sleep. It was the scariest, strangest thing I've ever seen, seems like a bad dream, and the coming out of it was just as scary, he didn't know who I was at one point. He bite his tongue also. I find myself watching his every move now thinking he's going into another seizure, yet I don't want to treat him any different than I did before, because I know I wouldn't want that if it were me. I wish I would've done more research on seizures, as he had told me about his seizures disorder, but had not had one for along time due to diet, exercise, and meds, so I figured it would never happen. I was glad he had it while in bed, it was easier to protect him from harm. To my surprise, I kept calm, and placed pillows around him to prevent hitting his head on the nightstand, and afterward while he was coming out of it, tried to keep him in bed and calmly talked to him. I'm glad to know now about the recovery position, one thing I didn't know. I hope this never happens again, but if it does I will be better prepared now that I've done my research, and I hope I'm always with him to help him through it.

Interesting to read that your son has seizures between 5-7am, my daughter also has them mainly at that time (she's like a personal alarm clock), although I'm not sure what type of epilepsy she has as it's quite a long winded sounding diagnosis that we received.
Having said that, she also has them at various others times, recently she had 9 in 14 hours and it's really hard to watch her go through it knowing there's nothing I can do.
I have recently asked for first aid training and support from others dealing with this condition and that's how I come to be here at this moment.
The worst thing for me is that my husband is disabled and also currently in plaster and cannot get upstairs to her bedroom quickly if I'm out, does anyone know of any help I can get from anywhere, as so far I've drawn a blank?
But I agree, you attend hospital, they ask you the standard same questions and send us home for 3-6 months, surely there must be more they can do or offer sufferers and their families.
It's very peculiar too as to why she's got it as it's not in my husbands family nor my family, so all very strange.
My biggest fear is that one fit will be one too many!

someone i know had a seizure and started biting his tongue making it bleed during it. i wasn't sure whether i should have put my finger in his mouth to stop him hurting himself or not?

Wanting your PDF for others to understand what to do in case a friend has a seizure.
Thanks,

I was just wondering, do you need to put something dark over the persons eyes? I mean like a cloth, obviously not restricting the breathing. I think someone said that to me somewhere, it sounds sane. But I would really like to know if that actually would help someone who is having an epileptic fit. Also is it possible to die of epilepsy?

Thank you,
mollie.

i though that inserting the patient's mouth will help them to prevent aspiration specially when their mouth is close, because my niece attacking seizure i put a small towel in her mouth because she produce saliva in her mouth..

Hi,

I've a question on the first aid section: it seems to me that instead of calling an ambulance if you know it's a persons first seizure, you should always call an ambulance if you don't know for a fact the person has a history of epilepsy. What do you think?

re putting objects in peoples mouths during seizure - I've had 3 in last 2 months and each time i've badly bitten my tongue and/or bottom lip so if anything or anyone's fingers were in my mouth, they would have been mangled! apparently I've been havin petit mal fits for years (i jus called them my 'wee episodes') but have just started having generalised seizures, falling to floor unconcious, jerkin badly, incontinent, etc.... has me really worried. can't understand why this has suddenly become so much worse - anyone any ideas? is it something i've been doin? is there anythin i can do to stop them? haven't started medication yet as tests still ongoing - takes sooooo long to sort out. want my life back - have become really scared, don't like bein alone but don't want another one in work or in public..... life sucks!!!!

The person must be roll to the left to prevent the upward movement of the gastric juices (HCL) that may cause aspiration to the patient.

my boyfriend fainted 2 nights ago. he hadn't eaten much that day apparently, drank 3 beers (5'10", about 170, and 35 years old.). We had sex at the end of the night and then got up to go to the bathroom almost immediately (maybe 5 mins max later) after but fainted... I wonder why this happens. he said he had had strong Deja Vu the week prior (came up in unrelated conversation but just read the association to epilepsy here). He has massive jerks (not always small twiches but sudden jerks of limps and contraction of his muscles at times) while falling asleep and sometimes while sleeping. Are these signs of epilepsy? he was out of it when he woke up from fainting. he was 'out' for about a min... took about 4 seconds to say 'something is not right' and fainted and I quickly grabbed his face and slapped him lightly and within 30 seconds he was waking up. he had a bit of a head ache after... what is the issue? his doctor (phone conversation) said it was just vasovagal syncope and not to worry since he is in good health normally. And not to worry unless it happens again but i hadnt mentioned the jerking while falling asleep or sleeping and didnt know deja vu had anything to do with any sort of diagnosis. What is the deal? could an expert please comment? I'll get him a doc appt asap...but in the meantime, some info would help! thanks.