Epilepsy

[BlueEyesShining]

I have a question about epilepsy, especially about tonic-clonic seizures. When someone has a seziure should their body be stiff at first and then shaking? Or the seizure can start without the stiffness of the muscles and there will be only contractions/shaking?

And can they actually "swallow their tongue" or is it a myth?

[Ghost Toast]

Hello, I'm epileptic and during a TC you always become stiff before the shaking starts.
The idea of people swallowing their tongues during a seizure is a huge myth although it's quite common to bite it.

[ray.olsen]

Normally what happens during convulsions, the person's muscles contract and relax repeatedly. Meaning that the body will stiffen first before it starts shaking. Although, there are types of seizures that have mild symptoms and doesn't involve shaking. The swallowing of tongue on the other hand is a complete myth. But biting of the tongue is really common in epileptic episodes.