The Mixed Emotion Thread

[JustAName]

I just had a seizure at work. (Maybe not mixed emotions, but I can't be bothered to find the appropriate thread.) I felt very dizzy and then I was waking up, finding it hard to parse what my coworkers were saying (I eventually figured out they were asking if I was alright). I am told it only lasted about thirty seconds; I slumped forward, then fell to the floor. The lady behind me thought I'd just fallen, until she heard me choking, so she turned me on my side. I bit my tongue. It started tasting more of blood a bit after I woke up, attesting to the brevity of the seizure I guess.

It's probably nothing. This happened once over four years ago, and we thought I'd just passed out, but the symptoms were identical, so it was probably a seizure then, too. It was very brief, and my muscles didn't actually seize, just stop working. I think that means it's probably not a big deal. I've requested a doctor's appointment at the UCLA medical center, a few blocks from here, which is actually one of the best, so that's encouraging. It will probably be fine. I am just very scared right now.

[Jamfalcon]

That sucks . Glad to hear it doesn't seem too major, but definitely wise to get it checked out.

*Hugs*

[Bebop Man]

Yeah, sounds like an epileptic seizure.

[JustAName]

I think people usually spasm during those, though. Regardless, I should know more tomorrow or the day after.

[Duckay]

There's a number of different kinds of seizures that manifest with different symptoms... it's sort of a myth that a seizure looks like violent jerking. Which is to say, that can and does happen, but it's not the only type of seizure.

I'm not saying this to scare you, just to clear that up.

[JustAName]

Yeah. I mean, I'm getting the "seizure" side here and the "fainting" side from my parents. I'm determined not to make up my mind before I see a doctor anyway.

[Timelady]

Whoa. *Internet hugs* That sounds scary as hell. I'm glad you're okay. Tell 'em to be nice to you at the doctor's, lord knows you deserve it.

[Duckay]

Armchair or self-diagnosing is definitely the wrong move, so definitely see a doctor. I am just a pain in the ass who doesn't want to see misinformation (however well-intentioned or unintentionally) spread either.

[JustAName]

Oh, I know. I researched it a bit, and I saw that there was one type of seizure that involves brief muscle failure rather than seizing, but the whole episode does seem more similar to syncope. I guess I'm mostly just hoping it's that. Still, yeah. Doctor whenever I get an appointment (I've requested one already), and we'll go from there.

[JustAName]

Update: My coworkers say that I did sieze for 10-15 seconds. Woo. I have an appointment in an hour at the local medical center. There is a "facility fee," but I'm lucky enough that my parents will probably cover it. Whee.

[Elomin Sha]

Hope it's nothing serious and good to know you're okay at the moment.

[Ptangmatik]

I'm glad to hear you're getting it looked at, stay safe fayli

[empath]

Hun? If your folks don't cover that facility fee, PM me.

...

Welp, it's 445am here, and I can breathe again; maybe 20 min ago I sat up bolt straight in bed because I had a froth of air and stomach acid all up my esophagus right to my teeth; I was gasping with tiny bits of air getting into my lungs, and this stuff wasn't going back down.

I dashed to the bathroom, but throwing up wouldn't happen. My wife was right there behind me, soothing me and calming me...getting me to keep breathing.

bit by bit the damn bubbles popped until I could belch the air that I'd somehow gotten into my stomach, which then allowed the foam to sink down past my...epiglottis? is it? the point where my trachea starts, and then I could actually take a real breath.

After about another five minutes of 'gasp-belch-gasp-belch...gasp...belch...gasp...belch', I had the air in my lungs, and that yucky other stuff in my stomach, and my eyes went back into my head. :/

Then she really stepped up; as I got a little cup of water to rinse the acid out of my mouth, she got me some milk and a slice of bread that she ripped into strips. I used the bread to 'wipe' my mouth, and swallow to help get the acid out of my throat and back down to my stomach, and the milk helped wash it all down, too.

Then she gave me a warm cloth (how the fuck did she manage that with me standing in front of the sink?) and I washed my face and wiped the stream of tears off my cheeks and chin.

I thanked her for keeping me from panicking to...well suffocation, kissed her a few times (and then rinsed and gargled a little more to get the acid clear better) and let her go back to bed while I stepped out here to sit vertically for a bit and listen to some music.

I almost don't want to lie down again.

[JustAName]

I can't get a neurology consult for over two goddamn weeks.

[poopintheairtonight]

Hun? If your folks don't cover that facility fee, PM me.

...

Welp, it's 445am here, and I can breathe again; maybe 20 min ago I sat up bolt straight in bed because I had a froth of air and stomach acid all up my esophagus right to my teeth; I was gasping with tiny bits of air getting into my lungs, and this stuff wasn't going back down.

I dashed to the bathroom, but throwing up wouldn't happen. My wife was right there behind me, soothing me and calming me...getting me to keep breathing.

bit by bit the damn bubbles popped until I could belch the air that I'd somehow gotten into my stomach, which then allowed the foam to sink down past my...epiglottis? is it? the point where my trachea starts, and then I could actually take a real breath.

After about another five minutes of 'gasp-belch-gasp-belch...gasp...belch...gasp...belch', I had the air in my lungs, and that yucky other stuff in my stomach, and my eyes went back into my head. :/

Then she really stepped up; as I got a little cup of water to rinse the acid out of my mouth, she got me some milk and a slice of bread that she ripped into strips. I used the bread to 'wipe' my mouth, and swallow to help get the acid out of my throat and back down to my stomach, and the milk helped wash it all down, too.

Then she gave me a warm cloth (how the fuck did she manage that with me standing in front of the sink?) and I washed my face and wiped the stream of tears off my cheeks and chin.

I thanked her for keeping me from panicking to...well suffocation, kissed her a few times (and then rinsed and gargled a little more to get the acid clear better) and let her go back to bed while I stepped out here to sit vertically for a bit and listen to some music.

I almost don't want to lie down again.

Sounds like acid reflux. Does that happen often? If so you might want to talk to your doctor cause that can have some serious negative effects over time.

I can't get a neurology consult for over two goddamn weeks.

Ouch. I know it's hard to stay calm, but keep in mind that being so emotionally upset and not getting enough sleep can cause seizures.


As for me, I have to call about a job in a few moments, and I don't even know what the fuck I'm doing. It's a seasonal job, and in a field I've got no experience in, but it seems they're willing to hire me, or string me along about the process anyway. I'm sick of being unemployed with no skills or experience to get employers to take notice, and this won't give me much of either but it will give me some money for a short amount of time anyway. I'm so anxious I keep belching up my coffee thinking about it, and I know that all I have to do is pick up my phone, dial their number and be nice, but it seems like climbing a mountain. I'm excited for it, but this anxiety is horrible.

[empath]

Hun? If your folks don't cover that facility fee, PM me.

...

Welp, {the worst case of GERD I've had since...ever}

Sounds like acid reflux. Does that happen often? If so you might want to talk to your doctor cause that can have some serious negative effects over time.

Yeah, it has happened before - more like just getting acid up in my mouth that doesn't interfere with my breathing but is uncomfortable and a little distressing - but I can count on one hand the number of times it's happened to me over a period of years...and it's NEVER been that bad.

I did have flare ups of 'heartburn' on and off most of today at work. Guess I'll have to make an appointment sometime next week - especially if any reflux recurs in the next few days.

I can't get a neurology consult for over two goddamn weeks.

Ouch. I know it's hard to stay calm, but keep in mind that being so emotionally upset and not getting enough sleep can cause seizures.

Yeahhhh...it's the specialists that you gotta be patient for.

And that IS a good point, stress (both good - excitement - and bad) can trigger a seizure; it might have even just been an 'overload of awesome' at your new job that set off the first one.

Anyways, feel the good vibes I'm aiming your way (gloriously sunny day out here - walked home and am relaxing with a warm belly from supper and no 'intestinal distress') and may the wait pass unnoticed for you.

As for me, I have to call about a job in a few moments, and I don't even know what the fuck I'm doing. It's a seasonal job, and in a field I've got no experience in, but it seems they're willing to hire me, or string me along about the process anyway. I'm sick of being unemployed with no skills or experience to get employers to take notice, and this won't give me much of either but it will give me some money for a short amount of time anyway. I'm so anxious I keep belching up my coffee thinking about it, and I know that all I have to do is pick up my phone, dial their number and be nice, but it seems like climbing a mountain. I'm excited for it, but this anxiety is horrible.

Here's hoping this support is redundantly late, but nonetheless...

*places a supportive hand on shoulder*

It'll be fine, the anticipation (begetting anxiety) is much bigger than it's actually gonna be - you'll do great and it'll be painless.

I've seen some glimmerings of skills and talents just in this exchange here, and I can say with confidence that - if you're here - you MUST have good taste.

[auberginequeen]

A first-year student at a nearby university was struck and killed by lightning this morning.

It's orientation week.

I'm ... glad I didn't go outside this morning when it was pouring, but man, what a terrible time/way to go.

Damn.

[JackSlack]

That moment when you're halfway through cooking something your wife asked for and realise, "Oh, wait. No, they probably meant they wanted those potatoes on the SIDE, not as a topping. Hmm."

[Tycherin]

I'm pretty sure that's the moment when you shout "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND MY ARTISTIC VISION" and run out of the room flailing your arms.

[Prospero101]

I'm not moved to tears easily. In fact, I can come across as callous because I'm usually stoic in the face of things that make other people cry.

But goddammit, the Scrubs finale, even if it turned out to be false, always works me up. It's that bit at the end, I think, when he's walking down the hallway seeing all those supporting characters, and then the song. Oh god, that song.

Easily my favorite show of all time.

[Merrymaker_Mortalis]

Is that the one where he sees flash forwards to his future?

[Prospero101]

That's the one.

[Rikadyn]

I should be happy, or excited, or even nervous, but in 3 days I move to Kyoto for school without a place to live because the school hasn't secured my housing yet...

[empath]

On one hand, I'm happy to hear that there's a good finale (and I consider the final season a 'spin-off show')

On the other hand, I'm a little intimidated by the impending feels...

[Prospero101]

Sorry, empath. All you can do is let it wash over you.