My name is grace and I was just diagnosed
with epilepsy wednesday. They started me
on keppra that day, but it takes 2 weeks
for the medicine to become effective. And
this is only the first prescrition they've
tried. My boyfriend, friends and family
are trying really hard to be supportive,
but the way some of them are acting is
scary. I am 20 years old (on the 28th I
will be anyhow) and I have a 2 year old
daughter. I'm not sure what changes I
will have to make in my lifestyle. I
can't drink, drive, or go swimming alone,
I know that much at least. I am still
learning how to tell if I have had a
seizure. Now that I know, I look back and
a lot of things make sense, dizzy spells,
that kind of thing. Still, it all seems
kind of surreal. Advice anyone?
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mancinifla
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Sep 2003 Posts: 4 Location: sw florida
Sooooo-how's It Going????? Posted: 09-13-03 22:39pm
What do you think @ keppra???? My son's
neuro has mentioned that exact medication.
My son is 20 months old-so how are you
feeling? Have you ever had any sort of
history? Did you have any sort of blow
to the head??????
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laura27
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Posts: 22 Location: west coast
Screw 'em If They Can't Take a Joke Posted: 09-13-03 23:53pm
Epilepsy is surreal. I think you hit the
nail on the head with the word "surreal."
you will learn to develop a sense of humor
about eilepsy and so will they. Epilepsy
is a rather abstract condition isn't it?
By the way I was diagnosed at age 8 and am
now 27, happily married with two kids who
do not have epilepsy. I lived outside of
lubbock in levelland for two years. Your
life is just beginning. I always tell
epileptics who have family that are having
trouble coping with their condition to
move away. Move at least one major city
away if not a state or two. That way you
get to meet meet all new people who don't
know you as that epileptic girl named so
and so. You are that nice girl (employee,
friend, boss) who just happens to have
epilepsy. Remember, how you present
yourself to the world make all the
difference in the worlds perception of
you. Don't tell people you have epilepsy
as if you have eight hours to live.
Rather, just happen to mention it between
sips of coffee as if you just bought the
new maddonna album and thought it was good
but not her best work. Do you see what
i'm getting at?
Thank you all for responding, it's nice to
be able to talk to other people who have
some understanding of what this is like.
Surreal really is the only word for it.
It describes not just the condition, but
how it has impacted me in my life so far.
All of my family members live at least
three and a half hours away by car, so
that does give me some space in which to
handle this on my own. I don't really
like the keppra. I've only been on it a
few days, and it supposedly takes two
weeks to work. However, I am already
noticing side effects. I still have
seizures, but they are different. I've
also been dizzy and sleepy, and my speech
gets a little slurred from time to time.
I'm hoping that the side effects will pass
as I adjust to the meds. My boyfriend saw
me have a seizure last night for the first
time since we found out what they were.
Now that was uncomfortable!
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sharon
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 191
Wow ! Posted: 09-14-03 16:55pm
Hey laura27, when did you live in the
levelland -lubbock area? That's where
we're from! My parents live on 10th st.
And I have another friend who lives on
west ave. Close to 114. My husbands
family lives in lubbock and we both went
to school there. We moved back there in
'95 because my husband needed to be close
to family . He was on a transplant list
for awhile. (awhole -nother story) we
lived on 114 between smyer and reese air
base. We moved to ga. In 2000. To be
near our sons and their family. I like
the people but not the weather! The windy
days and the horrible winters! Sorry guys
and girls I should have private messaged
her but I got a little excited. Hope I
didn't bore anyone!!!
Sharon
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SaBrinah_D
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Sep 2003 Posts: 3
Posted: 09-26-03 22:52pm
:)hello. I am new to this site, and I
also have epilepsy. I have two forms of
seizures. The first, petit-mal or
absence, I have had since age 9. The
second I developed at 19. These new
seizures are kind of like grand mals
except I stay awake for them. I dont have
the name for them yet. My docs are all
unhelpful and a pain too. It seems to
sound like a lot of us all have the same
problem with docs. Depression as well. I
think it comes with the territory. And of
course there is the issue of not being
able to drive!
My doctor just changed my medicine today.
I'm starting the change over tomorrow. I
believe mine are called complex partial as
well as abscence. I seem to have two
types of seizures as well. I'm hoping
this new medicine will work better, the
keppra had too many side effects. The
doctor seemed to think that the meds were
the cause of the depression, so I suppose
we will find out soon enough.
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SaBrinah_D
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Sep 2003 Posts: 3
Posted: 09-27-03 03:36am
If anyone would like to chat more, PM me.
I am usually on the internet on the
weekends. I look forward to hearing from
you! :d goodnight.
Yea I can agree with this word. I have
had petit mal since age 7 and now I guess
partials ....At now age 40 I am gonna find
out. These doctors need to know more
about womens horomones and its effects on
epilepsy. How about vitamins....Have any
of your doctors suggested folic acid to be
a very good supplement? And this aid
costs about $2.50 at your local drug
store.
I try to and have lead a very normal life
style. Am a mom of two teen boys. Was
very independent before my recent
re-marraige (1 yr) ...And now I no longer
feel so independent ....Ouch
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BandC23
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 16 Location: No where man
Posted: 10-01-03 21:48pm
Hi I was diagnosed in 1995 (i'm 43 now) I
didn't know what my condition was called
then as my Dr. Kept me in the dark. It
was only 4 years ago that I went to get my
drivers lisence renewed. I never had it
revoked! Ever!! My Dr. Said I have
narcolepsy I do not believe this now, as I
have started to do my own research, I
think I have petit mal seisures I have not
had any though for a long time.
I had peroids of lost time, my friends and
realitives tell me I had my eyes open
during theses epasodes. I do remember
some of it now. Anyone else have simular
experience?
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feelgood
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 56 Location: Calabasas
Thanks: 2
Thanked:0
Keppra And Seizures Posted: 10-02-03 13:02pm
Hi everyone, I was on keppra and i've
been on everything already...I had bad
side effects from it, the worst was the
depression, but I also couldn't sleep at
night and would be tired all day, but
everyone's different, so for you maybe it
will work fine..........Does everyone's
doctor tell them that if you take you
medication correctly that you should not
have any seizures?........Because I still
have them too and it sounds like all you
guys out there still have them even though
your taking your meds......What kind of
seizure is it where you're walking but
you're in a daze? And what about the
seizure where you're shivering, your teeth
chattering and your not
cold?...................... Take care,
.Susan
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SaBrinah_D
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 13 Sep 2003 Posts: 3
Posted: 10-02-03 22:49pm
Bandc23--
it does kinda sound like petit mal
seizures. How long do your episodes last?
Petit mals usually only last a few
seconds. I'm still trying to get my life
"normal" but for me its not going all that
easily. I'm currently job hunting for
something I can handle. You know, that
won't be giving me a lot of seizures. I
am also applying for social security. I
just recently contacted the epilepsy
foundation and got some info from them.
It sounds promising. I recommend that
everyone with epilepsy at least check out
their website. I can't remember the
address, but a search will get it easy
enough.
How is everyone tonight? I hope you all
are doing well.
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feelgood
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 56 Location: Calabasas
Thanks: 2
Thanked:0
Epilsey Foundation Posted: 10-02-03 23:09pm
Thanks for the tip....How do I find the
website for the foundation?? What kind
of seizures do you get? Aren't you to
young to apply for social security?....The
length of my seizures is different every
time..I usually don't know how long since
i'm pretty out of it, but whoever is
around will tell me..The one I had
yesterday didn't last long, but when my
teeth chatter and I shiver it's going to
last a while.........What meds are you
on??................Take care, susan
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BandC23
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 16 Location: No where man
Posted: 10-03-03 07:39am
sabrinah_d
wrote:
bandc23--
it does kinda sound like petit mal
seizures. How long do your episodes
last? Petit mals usually only last a few
seconds. I'm still trying to get my life
"normal" but for me its not going all that
easily. I'm currently job hunting for
something I can handle. You know, that
won't be giving me a lot of seizures. I
am also applying for social security. I
just recently contacted the epilepsy
foundation and got some info from them.
It sounds promising. I recommend that
everyone with epilepsy at least check out
their website. I can't remember the
address, but a search will get it easy
enough.
How is everyone tonight? I hope you all
are doing
well.
well I don't have them anymore as the
dialantin takes care of them for me, but
when I was first having a problem they
lasted for a few hours. I was paranoid as
well!
One time in particular I remember talking
to my cousin on the phone, we planed to go
out to eat supper @ 5:00 pm, the next
thing I remember is waking up in the
hospital at 11:30 pm! I do recall my ride
in the ambulance when the emt put the iv
in my hand I woke up from the pain, but I
don't recall any thing else!
