Fatima Sana Shaikh opens up about terrifying epilepsy episode, suffers seizures mid-flight to US: 'I was so drugged out'
Fatima Sana Shaikh , who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming films Metro... In Dino and Aap Jaisa Koi , has spoken candidly about her battle with epilepsy. In a moving conversation with Humans of Bombay, she recalled a terrifying episode while flying to the USA via Dubai. She revealed that she had a major seizure attack mid-air.
“I got seizures on the flight… I was taken to the airport hospitals... but then also my seizures weren’t stopping,” she said, adding that doctors eventually had to administer a very high dose of medication to bring the situation under control.
‘I was so drugged out’: Multiple medications left her immobile
Fatima recounted how the emergency treatment involved a cocktail of strong drugs, which caused further complications. She explained that switching medications abruptly can be risky for epilepsy patients. “They gave me a certain chemical and I was already on a different chemical... in epilepsy you have to wean off one before taking another,” she said, describing the aftermath as feeling completely sedated and unable to function.
The impact of the episode wasn’t limited to her health. Fatima had to step away from two major film projects at the time — Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur and Dhak Dhak . “I had to cancel shoot... one of the guy called me and asked me if I can shoot and I started crying,” she recalled, emotionally describing her inability to even get out of bed.
Coming to terms with the diagnosis: ‘This is my reality now’
The incident became a turning point in her life. Fatima reflected on the emotional upheaval that followed and the acceptance that came with it. “I couldn’t get out of the bed... my emotions were all over the place... at that time I accepted that this is my disease,” she shared. She also believed that being open about it could help others facing similar challenges.
Fatima credits support systems and honest conversations for helping her stabilize. “I got help from conversations and support groups, and now I am very much stable,” she said, happily noting that she hasn’t experienced another episode in a while.
The actress will next be seen alongside R Madhavan in Aap Jaisa Koi.
“I got seizures on the flight… I was taken to the airport hospitals... but then also my seizures weren’t stopping,” she said, adding that doctors eventually had to administer a very high dose of medication to bring the situation under control.
‘I was so drugged out’: Multiple medications left her immobile
Fatima recounted how the emergency treatment involved a cocktail of strong drugs, which caused further complications. She explained that switching medications abruptly can be risky for epilepsy patients. “They gave me a certain chemical and I was already on a different chemical... in epilepsy you have to wean off one before taking another,” she said, describing the aftermath as feeling completely sedated and unable to function.
The impact of the episode wasn’t limited to her health. Fatima had to step away from two major film projects at the time — Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur and Dhak Dhak . “I had to cancel shoot... one of the guy called me and asked me if I can shoot and I started crying,” she recalled, emotionally describing her inability to even get out of bed.
Coming to terms with the diagnosis: ‘This is my reality now’
The incident became a turning point in her life. Fatima reflected on the emotional upheaval that followed and the acceptance that came with it. “I couldn’t get out of the bed... my emotions were all over the place... at that time I accepted that this is my disease,” she shared. She also believed that being open about it could help others facing similar challenges.
Fatima credits support systems and honest conversations for helping her stabilize. “I got help from conversations and support groups, and now I am very much stable,” she said, happily noting that she hasn’t experienced another episode in a while.
The actress will next be seen alongside R Madhavan in Aap Jaisa Koi.
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