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Epilepsy and Swimming

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 11:30
Topic: Living With Epilepsy - Adults

Hey,

I've recently been diagnosed with TLE, but have not been prescribed meds for it yet (the process is taking rather long). I've always enjoyed swimming and had planned to pick it up again. I'm okay with this, but my boyfriend is angry about my decision to go swimming. He says I should wait, and that it's too dangerous. I say that, as long as I'm with a friend who knows I have seizures (I've only had ONE since being diagnosed 4 months ago), and as long as there are lifeguards, I honestly believe I will be okay.

What do you think? Is it okay for me to go swimming? I can't just stop my life because I have epilepsy. Swimming is something that helps relax me and makes me happy, so I do not agree with my boyfriend and think he is being a bit ridiculous. I understand he worries about me, but it's my life, my decision...not his.

Thanks. 

Comments

Re: Epilepsy and Swimming

Submitted by lunagirl on Tue, 2010-05-18 - 15:52

Amy,

You should be much more agressive with your neurologist in getting you tested and diagnosed it is outrageous that it is taking this long. I would suggest getting a second opinion ASAP this isnt something you want to wait 4 months to be diagnosed or put on meds. I too agree that if you take the proper percautions you should be able to swim with a friend who knows the signs and symptoms of a siezure. I am an avided horseback rider and have never been told to stop riding just to wear my helmet and i know its different being in the water just becareful.

Amy,

You should be much more agressive with your neurologist in getting you tested and diagnosed it is outrageous that it is taking this long. I would suggest getting a second opinion ASAP this isnt something you want to wait 4 months to be diagnosed or put on meds. I too agree that if you take the proper percautions you should be able to swim with a friend who knows the signs and symptoms of a siezure. I am an avided horseback rider and have never been told to stop riding just to wear my helmet and i know its different being in the water just becareful.

Re: Epilepsy and Swimming

Submitted by Channing Seideman on Mon, 2010-05-17 - 14:47
to speed up the process for medication i reccommend a VEEG. It is a once in a lifetime thing and will give you tons of information. as far as swimming goes, you are risking your life. a seizure in the pool can kill you from drowning and can kill the life guard trying to save you. when you convulse in a seizure the life guard has no control and can not do anything because you will drown them un knowingly of course but the risk is too high. a woman named Chanda Gunn was put in your same shoes. a national swimmer had to quit but next thing you know she is on the woman's olympic hockey team and won gold in the olympics in italy. you should look her up on google and read her story. every single epileptologist has lost a patient because they drowned in either the pool or two feet of bath water.

Re: Epilepsy and Swimming

Submitted by Pony Princess on Tue, 2010-05-18 - 10:28

I don't disagree with you, but do your friends know what to look for as far as your seizures go?  Seizing in water can take away a life quite silently and unnoticed.  Even if there are lifeguards, I've never trusted them to save my life because there are too many distractions for them.  I am only in the water if my two closest friends are there (who know what to look for when I start seizing).  I used to swim competitively, but cannot because of my seizures.  Now I go running.  Yes, it is still dangerous, but I'm not in a situation where I could die from falling. 

I truly love the water, but you sort of have to figure which is more important: the water or your life.

I don't disagree with you, but do your friends know what to look for as far as your seizures go?  Seizing in water can take away a life quite silently and unnoticed.  Even if there are lifeguards, I've never trusted them to save my life because there are too many distractions for them.  I am only in the water if my two closest friends are there (who know what to look for when I start seizing).  I used to swim competitively, but cannot because of my seizures.  Now I go running.  Yes, it is still dangerous, but I'm not in a situation where I could die from falling. 

I truly love the water, but you sort of have to figure which is more important: the water or your life.

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