All about seizures
I originally went to the doctor because I could smell phantom smells. The neurosurgeon said these smells were actually seizures and he gave me an anti-seizure medication. I did a bit of research when I got home and everything I read said they were not seizures. Seizures last for seconds; minutes at most. My smells would last for hours; days even. I asked for a second opinion. I specifically asked for someone who was not a neurosurgeon. “Not a neurosurgeon, eh?” he said.
The neuro-oncologist said “Hmmm… Doesn’t sound like a seizure to me. I’ll send you to a neurologist.“
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. It can cause changes in behavior, movements, feelings and levels of consciousness.
Mayo Clinic
The neurologist said “Nope. Not seizures. But you can carry on taking the anti-seizure medication if you like.” I carried on taking the medication until I forgot it when we went on holiday to Tenerife.
It’s a year later and I am finally having seizures. They are usually at night or in the morning so you probably won’t see one. They always start with a massive electrical storm that feels like a nightmare where I am on a fairground ride that spins me around too fast before it crashes.
Last night, I knew what was happening so I was able to wake Mrs Clown and ask for help.
I lose my language every time but I am perfectly lucid and able to understand what is going on (remember this the next time a philosopher argues that consciousness depends on language). I can think clearly but I don’t know any words. I remember everything.
Mrs Clown always gives me one of those quizzes where you test the patient for alertness. I usually get my name right — and Bob Dylan’s! — and I was quite close with my birthday. I forgot the dog’s name though… and my children’s. Last night I remembered that my address was “Crescent and something. Two syllables. Starts with a ‘W'”.
Eventually, my words come back and sometimes the pounding headache goes away too. The rest of the time I am fine except for a few misplaced nouns. Last night we were able to get back to sleep and everything was fine in the morning.
You put my feet back on the ground
Somersault, Zero 7
Did you know you brought me around
You were sweet and you were sound
You saved me
I don’t know how long this will go on for. It might end tomorrow or next year. Maybe it will be another 20 years. Who knows?
Thank you for sharing. That sounds incredibly scary. And it must be even more horrible not knowing when it might happen or when this stage might end. So sorry for you and Mrs. Clown and the family. 🙁
Thanks for the update and description! Fingers crossed it ends today…thanks also to Mrs. Clown for her care
Oh shite. So very sad to have this news.
Robin
Thank you for sharing the way that the two of you handle this. It generates much hope as we – growing older – inevitably will meet more than less health hurdles in our lives. Consciousness and expressing it, two different things. Glad that Mrs Clown and you are a marvellous team! Very best wishes, Betty
Thank heavens for Mrs. Clown.
What a weird ride for you.
Best wishes.
Very sorry, Kevin, that seizures have begun. Thank you for sharing your experience. I think of you often and send good wishes your way. Ah, if wishes were horses…
Hello Kevin I wish I. could do or say something that would make you feel better.
Please know that I think about you often, my great friend had the same experience, he also was Navy, a sub- mariner.
Bonne Courage
Thanks for sharing this Kevin, a window into your tumultuous journey and the insights you bring to it. Like so any others, I wish I could wish away for you (and Mrs Kevin) all illness and distress.
That sounds terrifying Kevin. I hope for you that they don’t come back. It stinks that the anti-seizure medicine does not prevent them.
Thank you everyone for your kind wishes. They are a bit scary when they are happening but I think the moment may have passed for a while now.
Let’s hope, anyway.
I’m so sorry this is happening to you Kevin and wish I had something to say that was witty or to make you feel better. Please know that I think of you and Mrs Clown always and am sending my love.
Thank you, Di! Love back to you and Tony.
Oh, man, I am sorry to hear about these seizures. What a pain! In the middle of the night! Of course, now you are forever indebted to your sweet missus, yikes! Happy Valentine’s Day to you both—it’s not about the cards and chocolates and flowers now, is it? Not that it ever was. Hang in there.
She has given me a bell now so I can summon her if I feel one coming on.
I just learnt how a seizure feels like for the first time. Thanks for the updates, Kevin, really hoping they stop bothering you.
See you soon <3
I think everyone feels them in their own way. Sometimes, it’s just a blank stare for a few seconds. My first was a fit with shaking on the table for thirty seconds. Who knows!?
I’ll be OK if they continue like they are.
Good luck to us both!
Twenty years would be nice yes please thank you very much
I’ll do my best!
You are doing great Kevin, you still manage to retain a sense of humor and practicality.
I have not experienced a seizure, I can however relate to thinking differently to the babble that comes out of my mouth, I often wonder if SWMBO will be able to tell the difference when I start having problems.
Jesting aside I wish you and Mrs clown many more holidays.
Bonne courage
Johnboy France