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Epilepsy and Swimming
Sun, 05/16/2010 - 11:30Hey,
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 dawnwinks on Wed, 2010-05-19 - 06:12
Amy,
I also had TLE do you have an aura with your epilepsy? I always had an aura before I had a seizure, but as a teen, I was taking swimming lessons and out of embarassment didn't tell the instructor. I had an aura mid lap and ended up having a seizure. I was dragged out of the pool, my lungs burned from the clorine and inhaling water, but I did return to swimming lessons. It was a lesson learned. Good luck.
Dawn
Amy,
I also had TLE do you have an aura with your epilepsy? I always had an aura before I had a seizure, but as a teen, I was taking swimming lessons and out of embarassment didn't tell the instructor. I had an aura mid lap and ended up having a seizure. I was dragged out of the pool, my lungs burned from the clorine and inhaling water, but I did return to swimming lessons. It was a lesson learned. Good luck.
Dawn
Re: Epilepsy and Swimming
Submitted by amy1021 on Sat, 2010-05-22 - 16:34
Hi,
It's encouraging to know that you continued swimming, however, I am really hoping that nothing like that happens to me in the pool (although I know it is definately possible). Yes, I've been having aura's for over a year now...it wasn't until I had the grand mal seizure that they started suspecting epilespy. I thought the aura's were actually panic attacks, as I have a history of depression and anxiety, and never bothered telling a doctor. My aura's occur within months of each other it seems. I will have about 20 in a day, but then not have another episode for a couple of months. Since I've had the grand mal, the aura's have become more intense I find. Although I had a lot of aura's the day before my grand mal, they don't seem to be good indicators that another seizure is coming. I hope everything is going well for you and don't stop doing what you love to do!
Hi,
It's encouraging to know that you continued swimming, however, I am really hoping that nothing like that happens to me in the pool (although I know it is definately possible). Yes, I've been having aura's for over a year now...it wasn't until I had the grand mal seizure that they started suspecting epilespy. I thought the aura's were actually panic attacks, as I have a history of depression and anxiety, and never bothered telling a doctor. My aura's occur within months of each other it seems. I will have about 20 in a day, but then not have another episode for a couple of months. Since I've had the grand mal, the aura's have become more intense I find. Although I had a lot of aura's the day before my grand mal, they don't seem to be good indicators that another seizure is coming. I hope everything is going well for you and don't stop doing what you love to do!
Re: Epilepsy and Swimming
Submitted by amy1021 on Tue, 2010-05-18 - 20:46
Thank you so much everyone for the comments. I can see both sides of the argument clearly now, and realize that making this kind of decision requires thinking long and hard about it first. I've decided to wait until I get my meds straightened out, then try swimming. I understand it is a risk. It's just hard when you've been swimming all your life and then suddenly everything has changed...but I'm sure most people here can relate in one way or another.
Thanks again!
p.s. When I meet with my neuro on May 26, I plan to be much more aggressive to make this process go quicker, because along with losing my freedom to drive and swim, I am also losing my sanity.
Thank you so much everyone for the comments. I can see both sides of the argument clearly now, and realize that making this kind of decision requires thinking long and hard about it first. I've decided to wait until I get my meds straightened out, then try swimming. I understand it is a risk. It's just hard when you've been swimming all your life and then suddenly everything has changed...but I'm sure most people here can relate in one way or another.
Thanks again!
p.s. When I meet with my neuro on May 26, I plan to be much more aggressive to make this process go quicker, because along with losing my freedom to drive and swim, I am also losing my sanity.