First Seizure

What is a seizure? 

Following your consultation with a doctor today, you have been given this leaflet as you have had a suspected seizure. 

A seizure is caused by a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain, which can be experienced in several different ways. There are many different kinds of seizures, and the affected person will not necessarily lose consciousness. 

Seizures are common, with 1 in 20 people experiencing a seizure in their lifetime. Several items can trigger a seizure, common triggers include: 

• Stress, Sleep deprivation 

• Injury to the head 

• An illness or fever 

• Use of drugs or overuse of alcohol. 

Often the cause of a first seizure is never found. 

Experiencing a single seizure does not mean that you have epilepsy. This diagnosis is considered after experiencing more than one seizure on different occasions. Half of people who have a seizure will never have another episode. 

What happens now? 

In most cases, there is no specific treatment required following a first seizure. It is safe for you to go home, though you should return to the department again should you have a further seizure. 

Some cases of first suspected seizures are referred to the First Fit or Neurology clinics for an outpatient appointment. Further information on these clinics can be found on the other side of this leaflet. 

Do I need to inform my work? 

For most jobs, there is no obligation to inform your employer about your suspected seizure, but it be useful to do so. Consider speaking to your occupational health team or line manager about your diagnosis, to assess if changes to your work practice/environment are required, safe guarding yours & others safety. 

There are certain jobs for which it is a legal obligation to inform your employer of your presumed diagnosis, below is a list of such jobs: 

• If your job involves driving a vehicle or flying an aircraft. 

• Member of the police or fire service, armed forces or merchant navy. 

You also need to inform your employer if anyone would be at risk should you have a further seizure, for example if you work with heavy machinery, near water or heat sources, at a height, or your job involves looking after children or vulnerable adults. 

Can I drive? 

This is likely to be after the assessment of a specialist doctor. 

You are legally required to inform the DVLA of your suspected seizure, and will not be able to drive again until they inform you that you are able to do so. 

For most people, you are unable to drive for between 6 and 12 months following a suspected seizure. If you do not inform the DVLA, you could face a £1000 fine, and your vehicle insurance will not be valid. 

Further information is available from https://www.gov.uk/driving-medical-conditions You can contact the DVLA at 

https://www.gov.uk/contact-the-dvla or by visiting 

a Post Office 

Staying safe 

There are several steps that you can take to avoid risk should you experience a further seizure: 

• Avoid any triggers identified by your doctor 

• Consume alcohol within recommended limits (maximum 1-2 units / 24h) 

• Avoid recreational drugs 

• Make healthy lifestyle choices 

• Taking a shower is safer than taking a bath Using a microwave is safer than using an oven or hob 

• Let people know where you are going and when you expect to be back 

• Avoid activities that would put you at risk - e.g. activities at height, unsupervised areas of water, activities where it may be difficult for help to reach you (scuba diving, skiing etc.) 

• Inform a lifeguard of your diagnosis should you choose to go swimming 

If you are going to have a further seizure, it is most likely to occur within the next six months, so use common sense with regard to what you do during this time. It is also important to remember, however, that you may never have another seizure. 

If you have any questions or concerns about what activities may be safe for you to take part in, your General Practitioner will be able to offer further advice. 

The First Fit Clinic 

You may have been referred to see one of the neurology specialists at either a First Fit or Neurology clinic. During these clinics, further investigations may be arranged, and you will have the opportunity to discuss your case with one of the specialist doctors. If epilepsy is suspected, potential medications will be discussed with you. 

It is helpful to bring a person who witnessed your seizure with you to clinic, if there is someone available. Whilst the information is fresh in their mind, it can be useful to record: 

• What was the person who had the seizure doing before the episode started? 

• Did they mention any unusual feelings or sensations? 

• Was there any change in mood? 

• Did they lose consciousness? 

• Was there any change in the person's colour or complexion? 

• Did their breathing alter? 

• Was there any movement of their body or limbs? 

• What were their eyes doing during the episode? 

• Did they bite their tongue? 

• Were they incontinent of urine (did they wet themselves)? 

• How long did the episode last? 

• How was the person after the episode finished? How long did it take until they were back to their normal self? 

Please also bring a list of any medications that you take, and a record of the times and dates of any seizure-type episodes that have occurred. 

There is a waiting period before Neurology or First Fit clinic appointments are sent out. Depending on the demand on the clinic, and the neurology consultants' triaging of your case, an appointment will be sent out within 2-8 weeks. 

Seizure first aid 

It is your decision whether you tell family members or colleagues about your diagnosis, but it may be helpful to discuss some first aid measures with those close to you. You may find it reassuring if those around you know what to do in case you have another seizure. Below are some simple actions that can be taken by those witnessing a seizure. 

Do: 

• Stay calm - Most settle within a few minutes. 

• Make the person as comfortable as possible, moving dangerous sharp or hard objects out the way and consider placing something soft under the person's head to prevent it hitting the floor. Loosen any tight fitting clothing around the neck. Keep a note of how long the seizure is lasting. Prevent onlookers from crowding around the person. 

• Once the episode has finished, you can help the person's breathing by gently placing them in the recovery position - lying on their side with their chin lifted and head tilted gently backwards. 

• Stay with the person until they have regained awareness of their surroundings. 

• Gently calm and reassure them as they come to. 

Don't: 

• Try to physically restrain the person or stop them from shaking. 

• Try to put anything in their mouth. 

• Attempt to move them, unless they are in a dangerous place (e.g. road, station platform). 

• Give them anything to eat or drink until they have fully recovered. 

When should an ambulance be called? 

If a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, or a person suffers a second seizure before fully recovering from the first, an ambulance should be called to take them to hospital. It is important to call an ambulance if they are having difficulty breathing, or you are concerned about their condition.