I shared about my husband having an apparent seizure eleven weeks ago.
@GardenGerty (157915)
United States
August 7, 2008 9:26pm CST
Our local doctor ordered lab, a CAT scan and an EEG. When we got the results and he listened to my description he said it was a classic seizure, and that the EEG had a focus that they were interpreting as a seizure activity.
Then he made us an appointment with a neurologist. Ten weeks down the road.Last Wednesday. The neurologist said "Yes, you had a seizure. Does that mean you are an epileptic? No.Do you need to go on medication? NO.Could it happen again? Yes.The fact that it did happen once increases the odds.By state law, you are not to drive for six months, am I going to go down and have it put on your license? NO." The neurologist did want to know why an MRI was not ordered,
and so ordered one. The results were that they saw a few small vascular changes that are "very unlikely to cause any problem and are no cause for concern." Bob continues to drive, feels really good, as a lot of stress was lifted with a job change. I just thought I should update my friends here. Do you worry when people do not tell you the rest of the story?
Then he made us an appointment with a neurologist. Ten weeks down the road.Last Wednesday. The neurologist said "Yes, you had a seizure. Does that mean you are an epileptic? No.Do you need to go on medication? NO.Could it happen again? Yes.The fact that it did happen once increases the odds.By state law, you are not to drive for six months, am I going to go down and have it put on your license? NO." The neurologist did want to know why an MRI was not ordered, and so ordered one. The results were that they saw a few small vascular changes that are "very unlikely to cause any problem and are no cause for concern." Bob continues to drive, feels really good, as a lot of stress was lifted with a job change. I just thought I should update my friends here. Do you worry when people do not tell you the rest of the story?7 people like this
14 responses
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
8 Aug 08
When it comes to health, I wouldn't want to be kept in the dark, especially by my doctor, but the fact is that general practitioners usually don't have all the answers and that's why they will often refer patients to specialists. Where I live this is a regular practice and frankly I would rather have a specialist diagnose me than have my regular doctor diagnose me, especially if they don't have all the answers.
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
8 Aug 08
I was glad for the referral. Most people took this discussion that way, and I appreciate them responding. I was thinking about my having started this discussion ten weeks ago, and just now getting back to them with the rest of the story.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
8 Aug 08
I am glad that he seems to be OK, and that he seems to be using his better judgement in doing what's est for him, and not what someone who does't know him as well as he knows himself suggess. Evey ccase is dieren. I agree with you that I always feel better ater I've heard the rest of he story.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Getting into a less stressful job helps. He loved his job, but his only other co worker was a flake. And that co worker was his boss. He is appreciated where he is. Is your hubby still visiting?
@weemam (13372)
•
8 Aug 08
I think we all worry pal , That is life , You did the right thing and they told you what they found , I was told my other half had an enlarged artery in his tummy and his groin after he had the bypass , I worried myself for weeks thinking I might loose him again , then they told me it would get worse but slowly , so I know where you are coming from with the worry , just TRY to get on with things pal and don't worry too much ( easy for me to say I know) he will most probably never have another one , Take care of yourself too xx
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
22 Aug 08
I believe we have taken measures to make sure he does not have this problem again. We talked to one of his sisters the night before his appointment, and she had just gotten out of the hospital being tested for lots of things, she had blacked out for no reason. Bob had done that a few times on his job previous to the most recent stressful one. Results for sister: Stressed, Anemic, Low blood pressure, low blood sugar. All things that also relate to Bob. I think his family just responds this way.He had heard from another sister that had "episodes" and was diagnosed as hypoglycemic.
@AmbiePam (86009)
• United States
8 Aug 08
I get really infuriated when doctors don't tell me everything, or order everything that needs to be done for my family or even myself. I'm glad he is better, and I hope he doesn't experience any more stress that would cause this to happen again. I'm very glad it isn't epilepsy. I know a young woman who is now in her early thirties, and she can't drive because of the epilepsy she has. She hasn't had a seizure in three years, but the doctors ordered her license to be suspended. Or whatever it is they do to make sure a person can't drive for a medical reason.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
8 Aug 08
A younger than me woman used to live in our town. She walked across the US raising funds to support Epilepsy research to celebrate twenty years of being seizure free, due to having had brain surgery. I have some of her pictures, they are great. I will see about posting one.
2 people like this
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
8 Aug 08
AH my friend I'm glad it just turned out not to be anything serious. Sometimes people have seizures for some particular reason and then they never repeat.
IN answer to your question, it's not just that I worry when people do not tell me the rest of the story is that it upsets me a bit. I find that doctors particularly have a tendency to do that - along with a very patronizing attitude in some of them: "I know better, don't ask questions just do as I ask" I tend to let go of those really fast :)
Well, at least you got the whole story and it was a good thing the neurologist send him to get the MRI just in case.
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Yes, and I was glad to get the referral to the Neurologist, as I figured he knew more than my doctor, although I believe my doctor is very capable. He does not talk down to me, and is certified in five areas.
@appllebottoms8886 (15)
• United States
8 Aug 08
Yes i worry a lot. I tend to think up a 1000 different answers to my own questions. and become paranoid about knowing the truth.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Know the truth is a lot easier on us than wondering about the facts and imagining the possibilities.
@JoyfulOne (6232)
• United States
8 Aug 08
Your poor hubby! (And you too, that must have been such a shock for him to have a seizure!) I'm surprised they didn't do the MRI at that time too. I'm glad he's feeling good and that his job is less stressful. It IS scary when they don't give the full picture as well as they can. I think it makes a person worry far more than they probably need to sometimes. I can relate to that with things my own family (and myself) have gone through. For me, I would much rather know what's going on, and if there's any possibility of future problems: what they might be, and all that. They say that fear of the unknown is the greatest fear, and I sure have to agree with that old saying. I'd rather know what's going on than wondering and having additional stress from the wondering and the 'what if's.' I hope your hubby continues to do well!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
22 Aug 08
The problem is that there is NO perfect doctor out there anymore. What one might tell you to try, or do, ends up not being the best, or misses the Boat for some reason, and then you have to start all over. But I am Glad to hear that your husband is still doing Good, and everything turned out good. I know there were many praying for you.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
8 Aug 08
I am glad that he is doing well. Hopefully it won't happen again. At least there is nothing majorly wrong. Just take it easy and try to relax. You are probably more uneasy than he is.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
22 Aug 08
We are fine, and things are going pretty smoothly. Less stressful job, more time together, that is good.
@ElusiveButterfly (45939)
• United States
9 Aug 08
Glad that he is doing well. Less job stress is good too. I know from experience on that one!
@mrbranan (1012)
• United States
8 Aug 08
I hate to go see a doctor and not know all the questions I should ask. It seems like if you don't know almost as much as they do or at least enough to ask all the right questions you get no real information. And if you do get information you don't get all the information. I like to know as much as possible when it comes to the health of my family and will try to find out as much information as possible on the subject before or after they see the doctor. The internet is very helpful with this there is so many tools you can use to get alot of information.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
8 Aug 08
Fortunately we almost never need a doctor. I did have one sort of make fun of me for researching on the internet, that was about seven years ago.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
12 Aug 08
I am late in thanking you for the update, as we have been pretty much off line during our recent trip, but it is good to know that things are OK with your hubby and with you. Yes, if you tell us of difficulties, then it is best that you also share happy endings. 
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
8 Aug 08
That's really good to hear GardenGerty. I'm sure it had to be pretty scary to say the least but now that you both know, it has to be such a huge relief. To answer your question, yes I do worry when someone doesn't tell me everything. I'm the type that likes to be told exactly like it is, no sugar coating or beating around the corner but tell me just like it is so I can cope or deal with what ever it is. Good luck to you both!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157915)
• United States
22 Aug 08
Our doctors are really straightforward. We both have enough medical training to know if they do not tell us everything, and to ask the right questions. I also felt obligated, since I posted that first discussion, to give everyone an update.
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
21 Aug 08
I'm so glad that your husband is OK and that the tests didn't throw up anything untoward.
Sounds like it's one of those things the medical profession just can't explain. It's good news for Bob, but like you it would leave me feeling as if I'd been cheated of an explanation.
