Hi,

You are not alone. My first seizure was in front of my boyfriend too. It was a grand mal too. I also had two in the ambulance on the way to the ER. My boyfriend was great- he stayed with me through everything. After my first one I didn’t want to go to school. I was scared that one would happen in school. The doctors hadn’t given me an answer as to why. I didn’t know what had caused so it was kind of hard to go back to my normal life with the worry always on my mind. I actually shied away from the word “seizure” because it scared me.

Then I had four grand mal seizures in school. One was in a study hall with only a couple people in there. My boyfriend knew I didn’t want people to know so he found them and asked them to keep it to themselves. I’ve had three grand mal seizures in the same class actually. A full class (for my high school) which was 18 students saw it. I couldn’t tell they were coming on so everyone saw it. I know how you feel. I was embarassed and a little ashamed. I didn’t want them to know. I didn’t know how to address it or if I should. Sometimes I felt like I had a target on my back.

I’ve realized now though that no one can tell you have grand mal seizures by just looking at you. And people may surprise you. I’m going to college in the fall so of course I had to tell my roommate I have epilepsy. She was great about it. We’re actually getting to be good friends. Like I mentioned, my boyfriend at the time was great. We actually stayed together for nearly two and a half years after my first seizure. We have gone our seperate ways now but not because I have epilepsy. He was okay with that. It’s not my place but I would say talk to your boyfriend about your having seizures if you haven’t already. Keep your head up. You are not alone.