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Warning-sign checks

Absence seizure: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if a seizure lasts five minutes or longer, seizures repeat without recovery, breathing is difficult, a serious injury occurs, or the event happens in water.

    Emergency help is also appropriate for a first convulsive seizure or a prolonged, unexplained change in awareness.

    Follow an established seizure action plan when one is available.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the treating clinician sooner if:

    • Suspected seizures continue or become more frequent
    • A new type of event occurs, especially stiffening, shaking, falling, or prolonged confusion
    • Medicine causes persistent vomiting, severe tiredness, behavior changes, or other concerning effects
    • School performance or attention changes noticeably
    • Pregnancy is planned or occurs while taking an antiseizure medicine
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is used to review seizure control, school or work effects, medicine adherence, side effects, and safety.

    Children may need support from both healthcare and school teams.

    As a child grows, medicine doses and the epilepsy diagnosis may need review.

The article also says

Do not stop treatment without medical guidance.

A clinician may consider reducing medicine after a sustained seizure-free period, but the timing and process depend on the epilepsy syndrome, EEG findings, and individual history.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Absence seizure. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.