Epilepsey and complications

[FlynnCoyote]

So my mother is epileptic. It's never been a serious issue until lately. I can remember a few isolated incidents when I was growing up of her falling into a seizure and being hospitalized. For the most part she would only have minor fits, we'd sit her down for a few minutes and they'd pass.

In late 2012 she had her first major seizure in years, fell over on the back veranda and smacked her head on the brick wall. It was the worst one to date because the injury complicated matters. She fell into a coma that lasted roughly a week, and for all that time none of the doctors could tell us if she'd wake up or what condition she'd be in. After the week she woke up, and two weeks later had recovered remarkably well.

About a year and a half later, another major seizure, this time no head injury but it seemed to have triggered a minor heart attack, or else the heart attack was coincidental. Another week in hospital, another eventual recovery.

Just tonight... And yet again Seizure and heart attack. This is three major seizures and three times being hospitalized with further complications within the span of three years. This is definitely getting worse than it used to be. Her doctor has been trying his best to balance her medications, but ultimately this could be a simple case of her age, it could be the summer heat, stress, depression she's been struggling with. Any of these things or all of them could be triggering her at this point, and it feels like there's less and less we can do. And realistically aside from being careful, there isn't anything.

Most of the time she's fine. But every time I get one of these phone calls I worry that it will be the last time, for the wrong reason. I know these things are inevitable, but fucking hell, just not yet.

[Kaizy]

I'm really sorry to hear that. Seems like most of it's all up to chance. All you can really do is continue to be there and support her, because when it comes down to it, that's the most important thing.

[FlynnCoyote]

We've all been there every time and will be as long as we can. There's more to it as far as my own feelings go, but I'm less comfortable putting those thoughts out yet.

[Ayattar]

Could you get her a specialised dog? Apparently animals are able to feel the epilepsy attacks some time before they appear, so it could make things for her a lot easier. Making finding a comfortable position and informing services/relatives possible.

[FlynnCoyote]

If you were in a state that allows medical cannabis usage, I would suggest her trying that to see if helps with the seizures.

We're in Australia. I'm not sure what the situation is here but I don't think she would go for that anyway.

Could you get her a specialised dog? Apparently animals are able to feel the epilepsy attacks some time before they appear, so it could make things for her a lot easier. Making finding a comfortable position and informing services/relatives possible.

I think that might actually help if only because she would have a pet again. The collie she had died earlier this year and she still hates the sight of the empty backyard. I've brought this up a few times now but she hasn;t acted on it and I don't want to make that presumption for her.

[#00Buck]

That sucks.