MyEpilepsyTeam

It's completely understandable to feel unsettled when your seizure patterns change — especially losing warning signs you used to rely on. You're not alone in experiencing this kind of shift, and it's a valid concern to bring up with your neurologist.

Tonic-clonic seizures have two main phases:

- Tonic phase — muscles stiffen Show Full Answer

It's completely understandable to feel unsettled when your seizure patterns change — especially losing warning signs you used to rely on. You're not alone in experiencing this kind of shift, and it's a valid concern to bring up with your neurologist.

Tonic-clonic seizures have two main phases:

- Tonic phase — muscles stiffen, you may fall, lose consciousness, or bite your tongue
- Clonic phase — rhythmic jerking of the face, arms, and legs, sometimes followed by loss of bladder or bowel control

After the seizure, there's a recovery period called the postictal phase, where you may feel exhausted, confused, irritable, or have body aches. As one MyEpilepsyTeam member shared, "The next day, my body was so shattered, it was hard to carry my briefcase." — which really captures how physically draining these seizures can be.

Some people do experience an aura before tonic-clonic seizures — a sensation or feeling that acts as a brief warning. If your warning signs have changed, it's worth tracking any new sensations, however subtle, and discussing them with your doctor.

One important safety note: if a tonic-clonic seizure lasts more than five minutes, that's a medical emergency. Make sure your care team has discussed an emergency plan with you.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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