So many of us can..but so many of us can not. For about 3% of people with epilepsy, exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or to certain visual patterns can trigger seizures. You think now “then why the warning in the movie theaters?”. Have you ever heard of photosensitivity? No, well I am not honestly surprised and if you have then great please share the meaning with others. Now the word and its meaning: Photosensitivity is the amount to which an object reacts upon receiving photons, especially visible light. In medicine, the term is principally used for abnormal reactions of the skin, and two types are distinguished, photoallergy and phototoxicity. Photosensitive epilepsy (PSE) is a form of epilepsy in which seizures are triggered by visual stimuli that form patterns in time or space, such as flashing lights; bold, regular patterns; or regular moving patterns. PSE affects approximately one in 4,000 people (5% of those with epilepsy).
Seizures in photosensitive people may be triggered by exposure to some of the following situations:
Television screens or computer monitors due to the flicker or rolling images.
Certain video games or TV broadcasts containing rapid flashes or alternating patterns of different colors.
Intense strobe lights like visual fire alarms.
Natural light, such as sunlight, especially when shimmering off water, flickering through trees or through the slats of Venetian blinds.
Certain visual patterns, especially stripes of contrasting colors.
Some people wonder whether flashing lights on the top of buses or emergency vehicles may trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy too.
Driving with the lights from car street lights have been able to set off because its like a flickering light as the person drives or goes by
Not all televisions, video games, computer monitors, and strobe lights trigger seizures, however. Even in predisposed individuals, many factors must combine to trigger the photosensitive reaction. Examples include:
Frequency of the flash (that is, how quickly the light is flashing)
Brightness
Contrast with background lighting
Distance between the viewer and the light source
Wavelength of the light
Whether a person’s eyes are open or closed (depends on the person)
The frequency or speed of flashing light that is most likely to cause seizures varies from person to person. Generally, flashing lights most likely to trigger seizures are between the frequency of 5 to 30 flashes per second (Hertz). The likelihood of such conditions combining to trigger a seizure is small, however can happen. PLEASE DO NOT TRY AND MAKE ONE HAPPEN ON PURPOSE THESE ARE NOT A JOKE!!!
MORE MOVIES ARE TO BE HAVING PLEASE LEARN WHAT TO DO SO YOU CAN HELP SOMEONE IN NEED
WATCH THIS VIDEO AND LEARN WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONES IS HAVING A SEIZURE
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We look at the pictures and cling to the memories. The giggling green eyed with red hair boy wrapped in a bundle of joy. The day he came home what a day that joyous day did bring. The family all gathered streamers and presents and food. So many diapers and changes of clothes now all unused and gathering dust as we can barely walk into a room that use to bring us such joy not brings us to our knees. The long 9 month wait, and we ran all the test told everything was to be just fine, how we to know, how were we to prepare? Tragity hit just all sudden his eyes roll up and he shakes but it doesn’t last more than a few seconds. A few seconds later he sounded like he was crying but the sound and pitch was all over the place as well as him shaking. I tried to sooth him and so did my husband and then we realized he was tense and this wasn’t right we called 911. The longest call and ride I have ever had.
What could ether of us do but wait for the doctors to do what doctors did best. Treat our son. We waited in the waiting room full of hope and not of any patience. Finally we were told we could go see our bundle of joy. What shocked us as we ran back to see him wasn’t seeing him but the wires attached and how suddenly he slept till all sudden another struck. How helpless we were and to us the doctors just it was a few needs and looking at a computer. So upset we were, how could u just barely do anything, do more your payed so much so help our boy. We demanded they did more, so enraged they seemed to do so little, to what we saw. Little did we realize not much can be done to such a small body, a frail young newborn. The doctors where doing all they could, they had ran all the blood work and pushing what meds they could and watching all the brain waves they could but not much more they can. I watched in horror as the last one hit and the last smile my son smiled before his last breath. I held my wife close and we both sat crying wondering if there could have been anything we could have done, to save out 2 week old son. Doctors and nurses helped us thru the process and we now have a better understanding. SUDEP is harsh its real and it can hit anytime and anyone. Going forward now we have had to ask for help and get good counseling because loosing isn’t easy. Its been 6 years and we are now expect our 2nd child its been a long hard road but we are fully aware there is a world beyond our front door. There is medical reasons and answers. There is more than what meets the eye, and seizures can hit about 1-26 people in their lifetime even children who have barely been around long.
YOUR NOT ALONE
HOW TO TELL IF YOUR INFANT IS HAVING SEIZURES!!!!! The baby may have jerking or stiffening of a leg or an arm that can alternate from side to side. Or the whole upper body may suddenly jerk forward. Or both legs may jerk up toward the belly with the knees bent. The baby’s facial expression, breathing, and heart rate may change. Impairment of responsiveness (which is critical in defining many types of seizures) is difficult to assess in newborns. Parents may suspect that responsiveness is impaired when their voices are unable to attract the newborn’s attention.
On a sunny relaxing Sunday afternoon, I noticed my kindergarten making strange noises – I couldn’t tell if she was grunting or laughing. We had no idea what was happening to her. For just a moment, I thought she was playing a trick on me! Before I knew it, we were in an ambulance headed to our local children’s hospital. So many nurses, so many codes called, my husband me and her twin sister rushed out of the room into the waiting room as they had to bring my daughter back to life. I fought to stay and was forced to sit in the waiting room and let the doctors work as I was helpless to do anything but hold my other daughter and my husband. What felt like days was only few minutes the doctor comes out and tells us she is doing good and, luckily in stable condition. Our fight has just begun.
Let me hold my baby girl. Let me set her free. Endless nights and silent prayers so many questions and so many questionable looks. My husband and I book cling to each other in fear but smile and grin to hold each other strong as we tell our daughter to be strong cuss she can make it. She is bright she is amazing she is the shining star. Her sister identical twin kept asking us “why her and not me?” such a hard answer to give. These emotions are such a roller coaster for all four of us. we cant imagine the pain she feels and she cant imagine what we feel. I cant stop my baby girl from silently staring into space, I cant stop any of the seizures she has. My husband and I take turns as its hospital and doctor trips is our life. Be free of this thing that clings to my daughters life like a leach. Yes, a month has gone by we celebrate so exited a glimpse of hope after years gone by and then all sudden another day and, another round when will this just stop? When will a CURE be found? When will we get answers of whats wrong with our child. So many doctors we have seen now, tired of others advice. Walking into Texas Children’s Hospital I felt like there was hope that day more than most. In February 2011, my daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. An answer finally was given and a breath we all were able to take. Unbeknownst to us, our sweet girl was suffering from constant partial complex seizures. We soon noticed her case was proving to be a bit more complex than anticipated, so we started researching the top epilepsy hospitals in the nation after a year of local care. We were willing to travel anywhere and we found out we were just were we needed to be.
Partial Complex Seizures & Regions of the Brain
We tried numerous cocktails of anti-seizure medications. I can easily recall relishing in the brief moments of joy when the medications seemed to be finally working, only to be disappointed by the return of those nasty, inevitable seizures. By this time, my daughter had moved into our bedroom so we could monitor her activity through the night, every night, recording the time and length of each seizure. As a mother, watching your child seize makes you feel completely helpless. I would witness up to 20 seizures on the most unfortunate nights. She would cry herself to sleep or cry in her sleep. Shed be talking and fall into another seizure and not much I can do but make sure she doesn’t hurt herself. I cant take away the seizures but I can hold her close and make sure she knows shes loved.
After realizing medication wasn’t the answer, I distinctly remember the first time epileptologist discussed surgery. I must admit, I cried throughout the entire conversation, because the mere thought of brain surgery as an alternative scared me to death. How could I possibly make this decision for my child? How could removing a part of my precious child’s brain not leave her with a lifetime of disabilities? What if something goes terribly wrong? How am I going to explain everything to her sister? How am I going to keep my husband calm let alone myself?
SURGERY
Nearly 130 electrodes were placed directly on her frontal lobe to identify the exact point of seizure origination. Once this procedure was completed, my daughter fortunately seized quickly. They were able to confirm her seizure activity was indeed coming from her right frontal lobe. We handed her off to the doctor again two days later so his team could meticulously remove her right frontal lobe, including her secondary motor strip. Then, we waited. My husband and I found a nice, quiet place to settle down for this long day of surgery. We prayed. We reminisced on stories of our girl’s silliness. We remained optimistically hopeful that she would return to her love of cartwheels, tumbling, singing and playing with friends. The epileptologist and his team did a great job of updating us on her surgery progress. We couldn’t have been happier to put our eyes on our girl in recovery. She opened those big, blue eyes and said, “Mommy and daddy.” Tears from all of our faces as my daughters, my husband and I embraced.
Fast forward to today – my princess is now 16 years old, a teenager! On June 19, 2019, our even spunkier daughter joyously celebrated five years of freedom from seizures. She has also been off seizure medication for over three years! Not only is she back to cartwheels and tumbling she’s on her high school’s competitive cheerleading team, hanging out with her friends like a normal teenager and tackling ninth grade. While the road to full recovery wasn’t exactly seamless, gone are the anxious nights of careful monitoring. We are extremely grateful to have our family together and a great care team. She may be seizure free for almost 5 years but we still check in with the doctor to make sure that everything still is medically going well, as we can not control our body and nobody can predict the body and future.
MORE INFORMATION ON TYPES OF SEIZURES
Most epilepsy is treated with medication. Drugs do not cure epilepsy, but they can often control seizures very well. About 80% of people with epilepsy today have their seizures controlled by medication at least some of the time. … There are more drugs available today to control seizures than ever before! That doesn’t mean they Cure epilepsy. Please help us find a cure. Even if that means to hear our story’s that is supporting. There is also a way to donate to help those who need treatments, medications, and life saving surgery’s like the one in the story above that was so kindly shared. https://donate.epilepsy.com/donate
Please if you have a story contact me. If you like this comment and like this post and take a look at the rest of my post thank you. Real life story’s, shared with me to be shared with everyone we support each other.
Katie is a 20-year-old competitive runner from Dublin. Due to an aggressive form of epilepsy, she experiences up to 14 seizures a day. Despite her condition, Katie hasn’t let anything stand in the way of her love for running. With the help of her neurologist, who doubles as her running partner, Katie is never steered off course. With each seizure, she is able to bounce back and keep on going. She has been diagnosed since she was 9 years old, with 2 types. She has gone from a wheelchair to running shoes. Every day can be interesting but every day she picks up her running shoes and lives the day to the fullest. Most the rime she trains alone but for her big races she runs with her neurologist who is also her running partner. She doesn’t let anything get in her way of living life. A great plan put together a support group made of doctors loved ones and a team. A great diet and a exercise plan. Goals set and achieved.
With over 40 different kinds of epilepsy out there its not uncommon for people to be diagnosed with more than one type. For those who have no idea what it is however it is very common for people to assume to call 911 or jump to the worst conclusion of what epilepsy is. The simple word “epilepsy” when googled or just read looks scary. When seen having an Convulsive attack looks SCARY which IT IS but most do not know what to do or how long to wait or anything about it except what it looks like.
Click the Link below Please and watch to know what to do if you witness a seizure and have have the Knowledge of what to do Thank You.
Please continue Sending me your story’s to share with others. Even if you do not think your story is worth sharing you’d be surprised you can inspire. Love to hear from anyone including the friends, doctors, loved ones, anyone from any point of view. Please leave a comment send me a email by pushing the contact button to send me an email. Lets share with the world how Strong we are all together. WE do not know how strong we are until is the only choice we have Epilepsy Awareness.
I have opened to let people message me and share their story if they want and I will go thru and share a story here and there this is the first story that came to me. Please remember we are not alone.
My name is Aaron. I was 25 and did not realize that I have been having different types of seizures for the majority of my life. As a child I had a febrile seizure, heat stroke and suffered from migraines for my adolescent years, however I never went to a doctor and kept a lot to myself. Father’s day of this year 2011, started off with a fishing trip but ended up with me having my first two partial seizures where I had sweet metallic tastes in my mouth which were alien to me. I attributed them to being seasick or having food poisoning so I brushed them off like it was a freak occurrence. That night I had my first grand-mal seizure and went to the hospital in the morning where they prescribed me Keppra. After my tests were completed, it was confirmed that due to an anomaly in my hippocampus, the diagnoses is epilepsy. My world was shattered turned upside down and backwards. I had no idea how to grasp what not even the doctors had much information about and to find out that grand-mals are was not just something to easily diagnose, and here are the meds. There are so many meds to balance out the body and get the right chemical balance to make sure that everything is working and no more seizures happen. I was given so many papers and so many more questions to be asked and so many more that I ended up asking them, alot nobody knew the answer to,so very frustrating. My plans for the summer and future immediately have been put on hold and I am just beginning to see my glass half full again. I have postponed my going to law school to become an IP attorney after seeing how much medication can cost because of patents. This is going to be a road of change and new beginnings, but knowing that individuals like me are out there with similar stories gives me hope that everything will be normal soon. I have since found out I am not the only one and there are so many different kinds of seizures, all seizures leave us in a constant state of wonder. I am glad that I am one of a handful that was able to be diagnosed and have a care team and a plan and a support group.
Thank you for letting me share a little bit of your story. Please remember that there is 1 in 26 people who develop epilepsy in their lifetime. There is many forms of epilepsy but no matter what it is scary for the person that has it and the people who care about the person. A support team is very important. The scariest thing can be not knowing what to do when a seizure happens, or not knowing why, or not knowing that it is a seizure or all of the questions just asked. A care plan is key and after knowing about seizures its great to learn the basics for what to do in case you see someone having a seizure.
For a convulsive (shaking) seizure:
This may last for one to five minutes.
Remember to!
Consider your safety first.
Keep calm
Check the time to monitor how long the seizure lasts
Prevent others from crowding round
If the person is unconscious, loosen any tight clothing around their neck.
Prevent injury by cushioning their head, removing sharp objects, or moving furniture. Only move the person if they are in immediate danger, for example if the person is in water or on a road.
Once the episode has finished, aid breathing by placing the person on their side and gently lift their chin, tilting their head backwards (recovery position)
Stay with them until they are fully recovered and aware of their surroundings
Gently reassure them as they recover
Do not!!
Do not try to put anything in the person’s mouth
Do not try to restrain the person’s movements.
Avoid attempting to move them unless they are in danger
Do not attempt give the person anything to drink until they are fully recover
Recovery!
Once the seizure has stopped, many people feel tired or have a headache and need to sleep for several hours.
Other types of seizures
In some seizures the person will not become unconscious, but may look blank, or become confused and disorientated. They may fiddle with their clothing or objects they are holding and may wander around in a confused manner.
For these types of seizures follow the safety advice above, gently directing the person away from danger if necessary. Stay with them, offering reassurance until they are able to return to normal activities, which may be after 10 to 15 minutes.
When should an ambulance be called?
It is often not necessary for the person who has had the seizure to go to hospital. However an ambulance should be called if:
You do not know the person or they have not had a seizure before
A convulsive (shaking) seizure lasts more than five minutes.
One convulsive seizure follows another without the person regaining consciousness in between.
The person has injured themselves during a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or if you are worried about their health in anyway.
Nobody’s Alone No Matter How We Feel -picture taken by Transport Photography
Today I just wanted to start with a “Hello”. I walk through life every day like everyone else and 99% of people wouldn’t take a second look at me, or even guess that I have a medical condition, because it doesn’t put me in a wheelchair or I don’t have to use crutches. It is an invisible illness that if you pay attention you can see it in my everyday life. There are many people with this same medical condition, different types not every person handles it the same. There is over 40 different types of seizures. More than 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally. Nearly 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- and middle-income countries. It has been estimated that about 1.2 percent of U.S. people have active epilepsy. This comes out to about 3.4 million people nationwide, and more than 65 million globally. Additionally, about 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point during their lifetime. Thinking about that it doesn’t mean that it will stay for long knowing that it doesn’t mean it will go with a blink of an eye. The scariest thing to add on to all this to think about is epilepsy can begin at any age from anything. It is estimate that 1 out of every 1.000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP each year. People can also die from prolonged seizures (status epilepticus). About 22,000 to 42,000 deaths in the U.S. each year occur from these seizure emergencies. What is SUDEP you ask? Great question! SUDEP stands for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. Scariest thing to happen to a parent to watch their child die and not to be able to do anything besides know they did everything they could. To be the husband or wife and watch or wake up to your loved one gone. or watch that one last seizure and a medical team try and save them and not be able to do anything. The sibling unsure how to help but all sudden your brother or sister isn’t there anymore. There is so much research being done but so many types of seizures and alot still un-found and still trails and errors. Seizures are still something people are scared of and when comes to the job market people run from the word seizure and don’t listen to anything. they picture the worse they don’t want to get the rest of the education. So many types if seizures out there and none are the same. For me I can do anything anyone else can do I just need my 8 hours of sleep to refocus and breath. I need to be able to de-stress and at times i need a few more breaks but I will speak up when I need to recenter and breath, sometimes takes me little bit longer to learn what I need to but that is why I take notes. For others it may not be as easy everyone has their own strengths and weakness and we all have our own voice.
Thanks for joining me! Please keep an open mind and share your story’s just send me a message and I can keep your name anonymous, change your name, or share your name. We are here to share our story’s of strength and let everyone be more aware of what is strength. Even when we feel we are at our weakest we have many others who are here to support us. This blog is a way to support others all over the world, and share what is just one of the many disabilities that isnt seen at first glance on an every day basis. Also there will be information that not everyone knows and can learn from. As well as other information. So please feel free to send a message, share your story. This is for those with and those who are family and friends supporting their loved ones. We are all living together supporting one another.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Hiding in the Shadows 