Finally some good news around having epilepsy!

I have today received a disabled persons railcard, which gives 1/3rd off rail fares. I have also applied online for the same type of bus pass, which should reduce my bus fares. Both will save me some cash on commuting to work

Of course it doesn't rule out the danger of having a fit whilst travelling and doesn't allow me back behind the wheel just yet, but it is very welcome none the less.

ETA...experience to date has shown passers by to be more than willing and able to stop and help when I have suffered fits. This goes a long way to instill confidence in not sitting at home, but getting out there and doing stuff.

[Edited on 16/3/16 by nick205]

Great news. Silly question, what should you do when you find someone having a fit?

My experience so far suggests make sure they can't hurt themselves (fall badly etc) and stay with them. My fits seem to last a few minutes and start without warning. I generally come around a little dazed and confuse, but alright apart from that. I have found that other people are exceptional in their care and attention when dealing with me in that state. I've fitted at home, at work and in my local shop. Each time those around me have made sure I'm safe and called ambulances. Strictly speaking an ambulance shouldn't be necessary, but when people don't know what's going on it's probably an instinct to call one and make sure - I have to say it's appreciated on my part!

I witnessed a colleague having a fit at work one day and as per above, we just made sure we minimised risk of her injuring herself by falling or striking corners of desks or bumping her head on the ground etc. You shouldn't try to actively resist any convulsions and don't go trying to lever open the mouth but do keep an eye whether the tongue is at risk of obstructing the airway or being bitten badly. Try to stay calm and be reassuring to the patient when they come around. Try to discourage everyone from gathering around and defer to any first responders or first aiders once they arrive. Obviously an ambulance should be called and try to roughly time the length of the seizure to tell the paramedics when they arrive.

That's my tuppence worth but I'm not a medical professional so could be wrong.

Nick, good to hear you got some assistance with your travel costs. Continuing to wish you a full recovery.

quote:

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Originally posted by craig1410
I witnessed a colleague having a fit at work one day and as per above, we just made sure we minimised risk of her injuring herself by falling or striking corners of desks or bumping her head on the ground etc. You shouldn't try to actively resist any convulsions and don't go trying to lever open the mouth but do keep an eye whether the tongue is at risk of obstructing the airway or being bitten badly. Try to stay calm and be reassuring to the patient when they come around. Try to discourage everyone from gathering around and defer to any first responders or first aiders once they arrive. Obviously an ambulance should be called and try to roughly time the length of the seizure to tell the paramedics when they arrive.

That's my tuppence worth but I'm not a medical professional so could be wrong.

Nick, good to hear you got some assistance with your travel costs. Continuing to wish you a full recovery.

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