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Adult onset Epilepsy

Sun, 06/30/2013 - 21:29

I'm 34 yrs old and had my first seizure two months ago. I had a Gran Mal seizure in my kitchen and don't remember anything until paramedics were standing over me and I was covered in blood from hitting my chin on the tile floor. I'm not sure, but I think I was having seizures before this one.  There have been three times when I thought I must have fallen asleep in my car in a parking lot, but I'm starting to wonder if I was really having seizures.  I would like to know if anyone had experiences like this before their first known seizure? One time I dropped my son off at preschool and drove to the store and the next thing I know someone was knocking on my car window asking if I was ok.  My wife had called several times looking for me and I had no idea that several hours had passed and it was time to pick my son up from school again. There were two other similar instances.  I just thought I must be more tired than I realized.  People think I'm a drug addict because I have done this like three times and I have gotten in trouble at work. 

 I'm currently on accommodation due to driving restrictions following my seizure and was at work.  I got a formal letter of reprimand saying that I had been sleeping while work twice in one day.  I had no idea what they were talking about.  I don't remember falling asleep or waking up all day....I just remember feeling a confused in the morning and another time during the day, I was praying and someone firmly tapped me on the shoulder to ask if I was ok.  I told them that I was fine, just praying.  To me it seemed like it had been seconds, but apparently much more time had passed.  I found out that people took pictures and stuck fingers in my ear and I'm not sure what else they may have done.  Has anyone had any experiences like this?

Comments

Re: Adult onset Epilepsy

Submitted by tcameron on Mon, 2013-07-01 - 15:00
Have you seen the epileptologist yet? This sounds serious, and no! You're not going crazy. An epileptologist is a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy. I see one at my local medical university hospital. If you can't find one, scroll up to the top of this screen. Click on "Find a Doctor". Believe me, epileptologists know a LOT more about epilepsy than most neurologists. Good luck! T

Re: Adult onset Epilepsy

Submitted by ldiddy on Mon, 2013-07-01 - 17:16

Thank you all for your support and suggestions.  My neurologist is trying to get me into the epilepsy specialist as soon as possible.  The neurologist said that there was no medical reason to keep me from going to work on desk duty.  He said that the worst that could happen would be that I would fall out of my chair. 

I'm scared to go back to work where they did things to me while I was not responsive.  I went to a therapist today hoping that they would give me leave from work to deal with my anxiety and fear.  The therapist was much more responsive and suggested that I go to my primary care physician and tell him that I am receiving counseling for what happened to me at work and suggests that I be off work until I have gone through the epilepsy testing. 

My work is trying to fire me and are doing a ton of inappropriate things.

Thank you all for your support and suggestions.  My neurologist is trying to get me into the epilepsy specialist as soon as possible.  The neurologist said that there was no medical reason to keep me from going to work on desk duty.  He said that the worst that could happen would be that I would fall out of my chair. 

I'm scared to go back to work where they did things to me while I was not responsive.  I went to a therapist today hoping that they would give me leave from work to deal with my anxiety and fear.  The therapist was much more responsive and suggested that I go to my primary care physician and tell him that I am receiving counseling for what happened to me at work and suggests that I be off work until I have gone through the epilepsy testing. 

My work is trying to fire me and are doing a ton of inappropriate things.

Re: Adult onset Epilepsy

Submitted by tcameron on Mon, 2013-07-01 - 20:48
You have the ADA on your side when it comes to that. (Americans with Disabilities Act). It was designed by Tony Coehlo, who has epilepsy and had this same experience. Your employer's behavior is already extremely illegal. Don't tolerate it. Remind your H.R. Dept. that this is a violation of the ADA. They might change their behavior. If they don't, you've got yourself a lawsuit. Bless you. T

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