1. < Epilepsy & Seizures

Rescue Meds Available for Seizures?

Posted by lynette1975 @lynette1975, Dec 29, 2019

I posted earlier about my breakthrough seizures after being seizure free for 16 yrs while taking medication. I am currently taking 1mg lorazepam 3 times a day to "prevent" another grand mal seizure (I know it could still happen). I'm taking it because I will have several petit mals a day if I don't take it. I'm still taking lamotrigine as well. I'm taking the lorazepam until I can see the epileptologist. My question is what are the different types of rescue meds? I know there are different methods to administer them, I'm just wondering the names of what's available and maybe which ones work better than others and maybe which ones doctors are more willing to prescribe. My primary doctor is prescribing the lorazepam and I think she is scared to because of the addiction thing. Believe me, I only want it to prevent the petit mals!! My old neurologist doesn't want to see me because he wants me to see an epileptologist so he passed me on to my primary doctor to prescribe the lorazepam until I see the epileptologist. Thanks for your feedback! 💜

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Ethan McConkey, Moderator | @ethanmcconkey | Dec 29, 2019

Hi @lynette1975 that is great you have found a solution at the moment for your seizures.

I thought I would tag fellow Connect members @jakedduck1 @debirwin and @1964chevyz as they have experience with epilepsy and may be able to offer you support and share their experience.

Back to you @lynette1975 what has your research shown so far? Do you have an idea as to when you will be seeing an epileptologist?

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1 reply
lynette1975 | @lynette1975 | Dec 30, 2019
In reply to @ethanmcconkey "Hi @lynette1975 that is great you have found a solution at the moment for your seizures...." + (show)
@ethanmcconkey

Hi @lynette1975 that is great you have found a solution at the moment for your seizures.

I thought I would tag fellow Connect members @jakedduck1 @debirwin and @1964chevyz as they have experience with epilepsy and may be able to offer you support and share their experience.

Back to you @lynette1975 what has your research shown so far? Do you have an idea as to when you will be seeing an epileptologist?

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@ethanmcconkey Thank you for the introductions. I have been doing a lot of research. It makes no since that I had a grand mal after 16 yrs of taking my meds. I'd occasionally have petit mals but they where minor and lasted maybe a second or two before this happened. Now they last much longer and that's why I'm extremely anxious about having another grand mal. So far, I have learned that hormones may play a role. I am 44 and going through premenopause. Could be an underlying infection. A little background, I had encephalitis 32 years ago. So that may have something to do with it. Hopefully the epileptologist will have answers. I don't have a scheduled appointment yet. Hopefully I will hear from them today. Thanks 💜

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Dec 31, 2019

@lynette1975
Hi there,
Although some people do I refuse to take Benzodiazepines except in an emergency situation like Cluster Seizures or Status Epilepticus.
Generally rescue meds are Benzodiazepines. Some can be swallowed, not very practical during an emergency seizure situation, rectal gel, sublingual (Under the tongue,) buccal (between gum & cheek,) injection & IV & nasal spray.
Some rescue meds include Diastat (Valium)/Diazapam, Ativan/Lorazepam, Versed/Midazolam & Clonazepam/Klonopin. The VNS (Vagus nerve stimulator could also be considered a rescue device since the person or family member could swipe the magnet over the generator to hopefully stop the seizure.
Have you ever been in Convulsive or Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus or experienced Cluster/Serial Seizures.
As far as the best is concerned the one that works for you. I’d think one of the nasal sprays just because of the ease of use, not that any form of medication is easy to give to a seizing person. I know a man who tried to give his son a sublingual tablet and got his fingers chomped on. Last time he tried that.
Best of luck to you.,
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
lynette1975 | @lynette1975 | Jan 1, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@lynette1975 Hi there, Although some people do I refuse to take Benzodiazepines except in an emergency..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@lynette1975
Hi there,
Although some people do I refuse to take Benzodiazepines except in an emergency situation like Cluster Seizures or Status Epilepticus.
Generally rescue meds are Benzodiazepines. Some can be swallowed, not very practical during an emergency seizure situation, rectal gel, sublingual (Under the tongue,) buccal (between gum & cheek,) injection & IV & nasal spray.
Some rescue meds include Diastat (Valium)/Diazapam, Ativan/Lorazepam, Versed/Midazolam & Clonazepam/Klonopin. The VNS (Vagus nerve stimulator could also be considered a rescue device since the person or family member could swipe the magnet over the generator to hopefully stop the seizure.
Have you ever been in Convulsive or Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus or experienced Cluster/Serial Seizures.
As far as the best is concerned the one that works for you. I’d think one of the nasal sprays just because of the ease of use, not that any form of medication is easy to give to a seizing person. I know a man who tried to give his son a sublingual tablet and got his fingers chomped on. Last time he tried that.
Best of luck to you.,
Jake

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@jakedduck1 Thankfully I have not been in status epilepticus. I think I have experienced cluster seizures. I had over 20 petit mals within an hour. I haven't had any clusters with the grand mals though. Since I started taking the lorazepam I haven't had any petit mals unless I wait too long to take one. I usually take one every 6 hours. However last night was different. My husband said I started shaking like I was having a seizure and he couldn't wake me up for a minute or two. He said it wasn't as violent as a grand mal but it was definitely a seizure. I feel groggy and weak and my whole body hurts today. I have some sores on my tongue but they're not bad. To my knowledge I have not had any nocturnal seizures. Would this be considered one since I was sleeping? I keep getting more and more scared as time goes on and these new things keep happening to me. Thanks for your help 💜

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1 reply
Lisa Lucier | @lisalucier | Jan 24, 2020
In reply to @lynette1975 "@jakedduck1 Thankfully I have not been in status epilepticus. I think I have experienced cluster seizures...." + (show)
@lynette1975

@jakedduck1 Thankfully I have not been in status epilepticus. I think I have experienced cluster seizures. I had over 20 petit mals within an hour. I haven't had any clusters with the grand mals though. Since I started taking the lorazepam I haven't had any petit mals unless I wait too long to take one. I usually take one every 6 hours. However last night was different. My husband said I started shaking like I was having a seizure and he couldn't wake me up for a minute or two. He said it wasn't as violent as a grand mal but it was definitely a seizure. I feel groggy and weak and my whole body hurts today. I have some sores on my tongue but they're not bad. To my knowledge I have not had any nocturnal seizures. Would this be considered one since I was sleeping? I keep getting more and more scared as time goes on and these new things keep happening to me. Thanks for your help 💜

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Hi, @lynette1975 - thinking of you today and wondering how things are going with your seizures?

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lynette1975 | @lynette1975 | Jan 24, 2020

@lisalucier
Hi, thank you for thinking of me. My absence (petit mal) seizures seem to be getting worse. I had to take an extra lorazepam today because I had a strong one and it scared me! I took an extra one the other day too. I can't wait for my appointment in February with the epileptologist! I just want to know what's wrong with me and why my meds quit working all of a sudden after 16 years. Thanks again

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