Can One Have A Seizure And It Not Be Noticed By Either The One Having It Or One Looking On? | MyEpilepsyTeam

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Can One Have A Seizure And It Not Be Noticed By Either The One Having It Or One Looking On?
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭

I worry that my partner is having a seizure and I can't tell if he is. After a seizure that you can't tell is a seizure is it likely that the one having it will come out of it in an angry way?

posted October 3, 2022
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A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I have had moments of feeling “off” and almost anxious, in which I don’t ever completely lose consciousness. It took me and my family a long time to realize these were seizures, bc I also deal with anxiety. Most of my friends that would witness would tell me it looked like an anxiety attack, but once my family said I was unable to respond, even though it was only for about 30 seconds at times, it’s important and needs to be noted. I’ve had epilepsy all of my life, and just within the last year I have started making notes.

As far as addressing the person it is happening to, maybe start by asking them how they are/if they are okay after it occurs. If possible, Express that you are concerned without saying you think it’s a seizure right off of the bat.
We get frustrated bc there’s nothing we can do about it, the very experience can be embarrassing, and for me, I do every little thing I can to keep myself healthy (meds, sleep, ect). There is nothing more frustrating when that is still not enough

posted October 5, 2022
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I believe a whole range of emotions and behavior can occur. The anger could be part of the seizure or a post-ictal state (after a seizure), or even a side effect of one of the meds he takes (I can think of a couple that can potentially cause anger—it depends upon the individual). I would recommend writing down both of your observations and the frequency with which they occur, to show both his doctor and the pharmacist as well. Some drug side effects are discovered later, after more people have reported symptoms, so the pharmacist knows or could look up the latest info for you.

Yes, I have experienced episodes, for various lengths of time (especially under stress), or just felt in ways that I didn’t think or know were seizures, and no one around me noticed either. I only would learn later about possible variations because scientists are still learning about seizures even as they search for new remedies and a “cure.”

posted October 3, 2022
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

My partner expresses himself much like you do. He usually has to lie down until the feelng passes - which can take a while. He usually says he has to lie down to calm down and then comes out later saying he is calm now.

posted October 7, 2022
A MyEpilepsyTeam Member

I'm going through the same thing, I have been successfully in treatment with meds for over 20 years and just in the last month I feel "Off" and not like myself, get super anxious and feel like my mind just won't stop racing - and if it happens while I'm doing something my legs just lose all strength and feel like I am going to pass out. I am also feeling very frustrated because no matter what I do it doesn't seem to change these random incidents.

posted October 7, 2022

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