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My Brother Just Had A Grand Mal- Seizure (from My

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Posted on Sat, 27 Apr 2019
Question: My brother just had a grand mal-seizure (from my quick webmd diagnosis) for the first time about 20 minutes ago and generally just want to know how serious this was and what else I can do?
-Otherwise perfectly fit and healthy 26 year old - 0 prior issues
-He was high from vaping cannabis
-he was feeling light headed that my apartment was warm (which it was)
-We were watching the netflix move The Dirt right at the point where they started shooting up heroin (which freaks us both out)
-He hadn't eaten in a long time and was also thirsty
-He laid down like he was going to fall asleep, then lost consciousness and seized violently for about 10 seconds.
-I basically yelled at his face that hes having a seizure and held him, he came to not knowing where he was.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
1st time seizure as you'v described should be seen in hospital

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for your inquiry and I'm sorry you had to scramble the way you apparently did for your brother.

Let me just tell what I believe you should do right now...no matter how your brother feels and no matter how "back to normal he might be." Since this apparently is the first time this has happened he should be seen at the hospital. What they will rule out is the presence of a brain bleed as well as do a CARDIAC and METABOLIC check to be sure he not suffering from some type of heart arrhythmia or metabolic imbalance such as electrolytes or infection because the last thing he needs to have happen is to go through another episode like he just had....at home....possibly while asleep and possibly without anybody able to help him. Results could be disastrous if that were to happen.

I believe you need to be an advocate for him and convince him that no matter how he feels he needs to get checked out RIGHT NOW. I would advise that you call 911 and even if he is not in favor of the idea let the paramedic do their part to convince him that he should go to the hospital. Neither you nor he know for example the exact content of the cannabis he was vaping. It could've been laced with something like fentanyl or cocaine and that could be the reason for the seizure.

A warning was just released by the FDA 1-2 days ago drawing attention to the dangers of e-cigarettes. This is clearly in the same ball park and how coincidental is it that I am telling about this article that I just got done looking over a day or 2 ago??? This is exactly the type of thing they are talking about.

This just came out 2 days ago: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/fda-warns-about-possible-risk-seizures-associated-e-cigarettes-n990446

Bottom line: Call 911....don't drive him in a car because that'll take too long plus you'll have to wait hours in the ER after waiting to register. If paramedics take him in he'll bypass all of that nonsense and get seen much sooner. At least if another episode happens tonight he's in a protected environment with people who know exactly what to do to make sure he's safe.

If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going with your brother in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you and your brother the best with everything and hope these somewhat FORCEFUL IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do....NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS.....very few people in his circumstance are going to willingly go to the hospital because they are scared of the potential consequences. In your brother's case there is nothing to worry about from a legal perspective because the hospital does not take a position of treating him based on his behavior or decisions as to how he came to have this seizure. They will not report him to law enforcement for any reason.

This query required 15 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

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My Brother Just Had A Grand Mal- Seizure (from My

Brief Answer: 1st time seizure as you'v described should be seen in hospital Detailed Answer: Thank you for your inquiry and I'm sorry you had to scramble the way you apparently did for your brother. Let me just tell what I believe you should do right now...no matter how your brother feels and no matter how "back to normal he might be." Since this apparently is the first time this has happened he should be seen at the hospital. What they will rule out is the presence of a brain bleed as well as do a CARDIAC and METABOLIC check to be sure he not suffering from some type of heart arrhythmia or metabolic imbalance such as electrolytes or infection because the last thing he needs to have happen is to go through another episode like he just had....at home....possibly while asleep and possibly without anybody able to help him. Results could be disastrous if that were to happen. I believe you need to be an advocate for him and convince him that no matter how he feels he needs to get checked out RIGHT NOW. I would advise that you call 911 and even if he is not in favor of the idea let the paramedic do their part to convince him that he should go to the hospital. Neither you nor he know for example the exact content of the cannabis he was vaping. It could've been laced with something like fentanyl or cocaine and that could be the reason for the seizure. A warning was just released by the FDA 1-2 days ago drawing attention to the dangers of e-cigarettes. This is clearly in the same ball park and how coincidental is it that I am telling about this article that I just got done looking over a day or 2 ago??? This is exactly the type of thing they are talking about. This just came out 2 days ago: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/fda-warns-about-possible-risk-seizures-associated-e-cigarettes-n990446 Bottom line: Call 911....don't drive him in a car because that'll take too long plus you'll have to wait hours in the ER after waiting to register. If paramedics take him in he'll bypass all of that nonsense and get seen much sooner. At least if another episode happens tonight he's in a protected environment with people who know exactly what to do to make sure he's safe. If I've provided useful or helpful information to your questions could you do me the utmost of favors in CLOSING THE QUERY along with a few positive words of feedback and maybe even a 5-star rating if you feel it is deserving? I am definitely interested in getting updated information on how things are going with your brother in the next few days if you'd care to drop me a line at www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi You can always reach me at the above address for this and other questions. I wish you and your brother the best with everything and hope these somewhat FORCEFUL IDEAS have helped you understand what you need to do....NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS.....very few people in his circumstance are going to willingly go to the hospital because they are scared of the potential consequences. In your brother's case there is nothing to worry about from a legal perspective because the hospital does not take a position of treating him based on his behavior or decisions as to how he came to have this seizure. They will not report him to law enforcement for any reason. This query required 15 minutes of professional time to research, assimilate, and file a response.