I often get asked what it feels like to have a seizure, however due to the different types of seizures everyone's experiences are different.
But here are my top 10 feelings and thoughts about when I have a tonic clonic seizure:
1. Fire!
Prior to having a seizure I normally get an aura, the most frequent aura I have is the overwhelming smell of burning, often the smell of burning rubber. This is normally my cue to try and get in a safe place if I have time ...
2. What just happened?
I am unconscious during the seizure therefore not aware of going on. When starting to come round, I normally feel really confused and have no idea of what has happened. Ever been lost in a maze? That's how I feel when I first come to.
3. My mouth ...
After being bitten numerous times, my tongue and mouth are normally the first thing I notice, normally as they are bleeding. I have cracked a tooth during a seizure, so you can see why they tell you not to put anything in someone's mouth who is having a seizure ... it would cause a fair bit of damage!
4. Get me to bed!
Often all I want to do is sleep ... then sleep some more. Often accompanied by a headache which will only go away with sleep.
5. Have I been running?
Due to the nature of the seizure causing the muscles to contract, post seizure it often feels like I've just done a heavy workout at the gym. This can last a few days.
6. Count the bruises
Normally after I've slept for a while, I assess the damage the seizure has done. I've had my fair share of injuries causing various hospital trips/admissions/appointments.
7. Embarrassment
This comes at any point post seizure depending on how long it takes me to come to and understand what is going on. No matter what anyone says to me/advice I get given ... I have always felt embarrassed post seizure and with me this feeling lasts a while
8. What caused it?
This is a question for when I'm feeling back to myself. Was there a trigger? Was there something that caused it which I could change/avoid? Often it is speculation as to what caused the seizure, often lack of sleep and tiredness
9. Keep a note of it
I have to record every seizure I have so my neurologist is aware of what is happening and whether my medication needs to be tweaked or changed
10. Let's hope that doesn't happen again ...
Hoping that is the last one.
Like I said this is only my account of how I normally feel after a tonic clonic seizure. But I hope in some kind of way it answers peoples question of 'what does it feel like?'
Sara
But here are my top 10 feelings and thoughts about when I have a tonic clonic seizure:
1. Fire!
Prior to having a seizure I normally get an aura, the most frequent aura I have is the overwhelming smell of burning, often the smell of burning rubber. This is normally my cue to try and get in a safe place if I have time ...
2. What just happened?
I am unconscious during the seizure therefore not aware of going on. When starting to come round, I normally feel really confused and have no idea of what has happened. Ever been lost in a maze? That's how I feel when I first come to.
3. My mouth ...
After being bitten numerous times, my tongue and mouth are normally the first thing I notice, normally as they are bleeding. I have cracked a tooth during a seizure, so you can see why they tell you not to put anything in someone's mouth who is having a seizure ... it would cause a fair bit of damage!
4. Get me to bed!
Often all I want to do is sleep ... then sleep some more. Often accompanied by a headache which will only go away with sleep.
5. Have I been running?
Due to the nature of the seizure causing the muscles to contract, post seizure it often feels like I've just done a heavy workout at the gym. This can last a few days.
6. Count the bruises
Normally after I've slept for a while, I assess the damage the seizure has done. I've had my fair share of injuries causing various hospital trips/admissions/appointments.
7. Embarrassment
This comes at any point post seizure depending on how long it takes me to come to and understand what is going on. No matter what anyone says to me/advice I get given ... I have always felt embarrassed post seizure and with me this feeling lasts a while
8. What caused it?
This is a question for when I'm feeling back to myself. Was there a trigger? Was there something that caused it which I could change/avoid? Often it is speculation as to what caused the seizure, often lack of sleep and tiredness
9. Keep a note of it
I have to record every seizure I have so my neurologist is aware of what is happening and whether my medication needs to be tweaked or changed
10. Let's hope that doesn't happen again ...
Hoping that is the last one.
Like I said this is only my account of how I normally feel after a tonic clonic seizure. But I hope in some kind of way it answers peoples question of 'what does it feel like?'
Sara