Community Forum Archive
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New
Sat, 03/30/2013 - 15:28Hi! I am new here and new to epilepsy and really struggling. I'm struggling with the loss of independence, the loss of my life as I knew it, and the fear and anxiety of the unknown. I never had a seizure in my entire life until two weeks ago. I was driving home from college and had an episode. I sort of lost awareness of what I was doing, kept driving and accidentally accelerated to 55 in a 35. I was completely foolish and stupid and didn't go to a doctor or hospital. I was dizzy, had a headache and lingering confusion afterwards. Then this past Monday, I had another episode at school. I don't remember much about it, except I woke up on the floor. According to witnesses I was mumbling, and fidgeting before and then went down into a full out gran-mal. I went to the ER then to a neuro. I had a CT, MRI and EEG. The diagnosis was adult-onset epilepsy, specifically complex-partial, secondarily-generalized seizures originating in my temporal lobe. I've been put on tripletal and am so terrified!
Comments
Re: New
Submitted by 15042runner2Dreams on Tue, 2013-04-16 - 21:02
Hello,
I just started having seizures this winter too. This new life of the unknown and adjusting is all new. I am in high school so getting a driver's license was put on hold for me. However, my medication has been working to a degree. I also found that I need adaquete amount of sleep each night. Bright lights can be trigger too. I am living a full, normal life and so can you. With the correct support seizures can be managed.
Best of wishes!!
Re: New
Submitted by mereloaded on Wed, 2013-04-17 - 06:22
I agree. You can still live a full life. My son is just 15 so he is not missing out on driving. Meds are working and we are just counting our blessings and going to sleep on time so he can get at least 8 hours of sleep.
I am happy to hear from you in in question (JME Poll info. Share please) in the 'New" forum. I would like to hear about parents of teens or people in high school and their experiences with epilepsy.
Good luck everyone! Your life is STILL ahead of you.
Re: New
Submitted by mereloaded on Sun, 2013-03-31 - 16:50
Hello, I am new too, my son (15) got diagnosed with JME a couple of months ago, so I am new to this as well. It takes a little bit to wrap your head around it, so I understand the feelings of fear. The good news is that epilepsy is a treatable condition and with the correct medication and dosage combination, you can carry on with your life. It is no different than having any other condition and with some lifestyle adjustments you can continue on. I cried bitter nights for my son's health, but then I realize he is the same person as he has always been and continues on as normal.. it was actually me being afraid and completly ignorant on the condition. Do not let this stop you or think that life stops here... you are the same person and you can still do pretty much everything. Consult your neurologist about what precautions your should take and observe your state law about driving. It also Best wishes!