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Please Help Me: New To Epilepsy

Sat, 02/16/2008 - 00:28
Well, My doctor believes that I have epilepsy. I am just starting Topamax. I have these "episodes" in the mornings. I usually get my seizures later that night or the next day..or not even at all.  But the last episode I had was so earth shatteringly scary I had to write about it. I'm 20 and I've just started dealing with all this happening. All of this has landed in my lap at once and I am really freaked out. When I had my episode, which I am wondering if it might be an aura, it starts off like static in my head. It sounds like a shovel scraping lightly on a snowy wet pavement. Then I usually lock myself in the bathroom to catch my breath and tell myself that none of this is real. That I need to get a hold of myself. That is when the worst part comes. I see everything including my body in super fast speed. Like everything is a movie being fast forwarded. And I am trying to keep up with it. Usually there is a small part of my brain that I can control and hear and calm until the episode eventually stops, but this time was the first time it disappeared completely until it eventually went faster and faster until I felt like my brain was going to explode and boil. It was so frightening. I had never experienced anything that scary before. Usually I am scared but not like that. Please help me and tell me what you think. All of this is new to me. I've dealt with passing out and shaking all my life, but now it is getting worse and worse and I am very frightened. Plus with being a senior at university it is very difficult being tired and confused all of the time. Thank you for helping and listening.

Comments

Re: Please Help Me: New To Epilepsy

Submitted by scribegal on Sat, 2008-02-23 - 23:05

Kissof,

I am also a senior in college, and I just had a grand mal after not having one since junior year of high school.  I know how you feel--I was in denial that I even had epilepsy for six years.  This was shown in the fact I did not take my anti-convulsants, tegretol and depakote, on a daily basis.  My depakote level finally got so low that I had a grand mal seizure lasting about four minutes and had to go to the ER. 

I beg of you--please don't do what I did.  Epilepsy is manageable and treatable, and you are blessed enough to be able to get help.  If you're struggling coming to terms with your epilepsy, you might want to talk to a close friend or counselor about it.  You might also want to inform your close friends at the university about your seizures and what to do--I've spent all this week doing that, making sure my profs know what to do in that situation. Also keep track of your seizures in a seizure diary.   Good luck! 

Kissof,

I am also a senior in college, and I just had a grand mal after not having one since junior year of high school.  I know how you feel--I was in denial that I even had epilepsy for six years.  This was shown in the fact I did not take my anti-convulsants, tegretol and depakote, on a daily basis.  My depakote level finally got so low that I had a grand mal seizure lasting about four minutes and had to go to the ER. 

I beg of you--please don't do what I did.  Epilepsy is manageable and treatable, and you are blessed enough to be able to get help.  If you're struggling coming to terms with your epilepsy, you might want to talk to a close friend or counselor about it.  You might also want to inform your close friends at the university about your seizures and what to do--I've spent all this week doing that, making sure my profs know what to do in that situation. Also keep track of your seizures in a seizure diary.   Good luck! 

Re: Please Help Me: New To Epilepsy

Submitted by Janell on Wed, 2008-07-30 - 20:08
My 20 year old son sounds like you.  He had one seizure last year after several auras. All year while away from home he hardly ever took his drugs.  He has had no auros or convulsions again. Now I found out he hasn't taken any since he's been home from school in May.  He does not believe he has epilepsy.  (I just posted my story-the long version).  I guess I was thinking he'd never have one too if he hasn't by now, but you said 6 years later you had a seizure?  He will see his doctor in 3 weeks.  I want to see what he has to say, but my son wants to take his meds 2 weeks before just to fool the doctor.  I go with him, so I will be up front about it.

Re: Please Help Me: New To Epilepsy

Submitted by stefana on Sun, 2008-02-17 - 07:14

I was on Topamax and it had me seeing things. It sounds like what your experiencing could be the side effets of Topamax. I had to go to the hospital and come off of Topamax. I was seeing myself out of my body. Seeing myself as another person. I would becareful on the topamax. I came cose to death on it. Topamax also had me losing my memory. It effected my vision, my speech. It's a strong drug. Please be careful.

I was on Topamax and it had me seeing things. It sounds like what your experiencing could be the side effets of Topamax. I had to go to the hospital and come off of Topamax. I was seeing myself out of my body. Seeing myself as another person. I would becareful on the topamax. I came cose to death on it. Topamax also had me losing my memory. It effected my vision, my speech. It's a strong drug. Please be careful.

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