Did a blood draw to check Dilantin levels, and then
Had a partial seizure at 4 p.m.--it lasted about 20 minutes
I was conscious and alert, just dizzy (vertigo)
My right hand and leg were jerking
I used slow breathing techniques to calm my body nerves
Taken via ambulance to emergency room
ER doctor gave me Ativan to stop the seizing
She advised that I come to the ER for relief during long seizing episodes
Liz Salmi is Communications & Patient Initiatives Director for OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Over the last 15 years Liz has been: a research subject; an advisor in patient stakeholder groups; a leader in “patient engagement” research initiatives; and an innovator, educator and investigator in national educational and research projects. Today her work focuses on involving patients and care partners in the co-design of research and research dissemination. It is rumored Liz was the drummer in a punk rock band.
