[lettie]

Many people have a combination of absences and seizures. It is usual to try and control the condition with medication, but it usually takes time to find the right drugs effective for that particular person and some of the drugs need to be screened for in the blood every few months to ensure the lavels aren't too high. Seizures are usually characterised in 4 phases
1) Aura - the person will have a feeling, smell something or a certain taste in their mouth which will preceed a seizure,
2)Tonic - Rapid jerky movement of all muscles including facial spasms, will usually fall or bang limbs in this phase, move any solid furniture or surround with cushions in this phase.
3) Clonic - Jerking stops but sufferer becomes stiff and rigid may have bitten tongue during previous phase, keep cushioned and try to roll onto side,
4) Coma - A period of recovery, the muscles relax, may be incontinent, put in recovery position and wait.

Absences are more dangerous, as they are harder to diagnose and may cause problems driving etc.

Status Epilepticus.. The most dangerous, a prolonged seizure with tonic/clonic activity but no Coma phase. Sufferers frequently stop breathing during tonic /clonic and breathing resumes during coma. Acute medical emergency, dial 999.


Hope this has been helpful, Status Epilepticus quite rare, have seen it only once in 16 years of working in the health service.