Ask:
what kind of attack is this?
my boyfreind is a healthy athlete of 19. he has attacks when he get stressed out or has alot of things on this mind. it starts out as shakes and jolts, normally in his right hand/side, and he ends up shaking throughout his whole body very violently. he is awake, however, throughout the whole process. his heart beat increases rapidly and he has a hard time breathing sometimes. his dad just had open heart surgery the other day, therefore, he was very stressed out, and for the past three days, this attacks have occured. when he has an attack, one usually occurs, and then as many as 3 or more occur as well. one of the night this week after an attack, he had complete numbness in his hands up to his elbows. then with another night, complete numbess in the whole arm up to his shoulders and in this legs up to his knees. im afraid it its going into his chest and he will have complete numbess with the next attack. all three of these nights, he has passed out after every attack, which has never happened before. when he is passed out, his breathing is very shallow and faint. a couple of times, he quit breathing for a couple minutes, and i had to open to wind pipe with my fingers by his neck. he also gasps for air and finally after 20 secs or so, he usually gets to breath. sometimes, while he is passed out, the he will twitch, and shake still, and sometimes, he will shoot straight out of the bed sitting up, and then falling back down. two of the nights, after one attack, there was no numbness, but his body had uncontrollable stiffness and tightnening of the whole body. one of the night, while the body was tighening up, he complained and cried out that it hurt so bad, and he thought he was going to bust. he compalined about major sorness and the slightest touch was really senstive and hurt alot. his family does have a history of heart problems. and he said he has had these kind of attacks since he was 8, but, the docotrs didn't see anything wrong. and it has NEVER been as bad as this. he is too afraid to go to the doctor, which i am working on,. but is there something you can give me to reaseach or something as to what it can be? please.
Answer:
what kind of attack is this?
Hello farmerkim,
So sorry your boyfriend has such severe symptoms. These are frightening to say the least. I'm not the DR. but it sounds to me like he should be seen a.s.a.p. for a complete examination. Was he ever seen by a neurologist?
If he has been having these symptions since he was eight and now they are much worse, indeed he needs to follow up. Sounds like it could be seizures, epilepsy to me but only a Dr. will know for sure and what tests to pursue. Anytime you have to open someones airway is serious and there is a great danger he could have one of these attacks with no one around, this could be life threatening to say the least.
Tell him to be seen A.S.A.P. for a complete work up, it may be as simple as prescribing medications, but its best to know from a professional. I'm sure these episodes are frightening for you as well. Good luck to you both and let us know.:smile:
Purple98Lady