I just had my first grand mal seizure (8 min long). The only warning was extreme dizziness. Is that normal?

Question

I'm scared to death about having another one. In the past I have had that same dizziness, but it didn't go into a seizure. Obviously I have an appointment with a neurologist but I am way to nervous in the mean time. No family history Do you always get a warning first? Thanks.

Answer 1

I have epilepsy and have had surgery and take medication for my condition. Some people get warnings and others do not. I had warnings but it would just be a weird feeling and no way to stop the on-coming seizure. It is a scary illness because of the lack of control over your body and brain. I had my first seizure when I was 14 and my mother thought I may have had something like one when I was very small. I turned 44 yesterday and I still struggle with what I believe is a body chemistry imbalance but I am still alive.

Answer 2

I'm sorry im not in the medical profession and so i can't give you medical help. But i can tell you from experience that suicide is never the best option. I don't mean to sound too preachy but the truth is, ending your own life has horrible consequences on the lives of others who love you and even those who are generally around you can be affected. If you have children or nieces and nephews, it also sends a very negative message about how to solve your problems. I know i can never understand what you're going through and that you must feel like there's no way out. But try this, embrace life, do things you've always wanted to do. Flirt with every cute guy you see. Then you might gain some perspective and realize that you can push through the horrors of your illness and not let it run your life. And you never know what new methods of treating illnesses can appear suddenly. Hold on. And Good Luck

Answer 3

I have partial complex seizures b/c of a severe head injury in a car accident. I landed in a field, they told me if I would have been on the pavement I'd be dead. Ok enough of that.

Whenever I go to my neurologist he asks me to some things which help determine my condition --> Walk heal to toe, close my eyes with my arms extended & touch my nose, squeeze his hand, follow his finger as he moves it slowly on the outer range of my line of site. "Any bed wetting? Trouble breathing? Nausea? vomiting? Vertigo? Dizziness? Tiredness?"

I have never had any auras of a seizure coming on. Whenever I have been dizzy never have seizures, once I couldn't walk... had to crawl to get around.

Make note of all of these apparent auras that you have & when you have them, if you have a seizure, etc. It'll help your neurologist with treating your condition