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Please Give me Advice.... Just had a seizure
Fri, 09/06/2013 - 10:14
Hey guys,
I'm here because I seriously have no clue what to do and I just completely feel alone. Sitting here balling my eyes out out of complete fear.
I'm a 19 year old guy. I have Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. I've had seizures since I was born. Ever since 2008, they slowed down tremendously. (JME is a very mild form of epilepsy).
My last seizure was about a year ago, and judging by how badly my tongue was torn to pieces, it was a pretty serious one. Whenever I have a seizure, it's always grand mal. And it's pretty bad. I had it at about 2 am, and I fell through a wall.
Anyways, I think I just had another seizure. I woke up around 7 with mild twitches and just fell back asleep. I just woke up on the ground in a pool of blood. My body doesn't hurt, but I bit my tongue and I'm 99% sure I just had one.
I took my medication this morning, and I've been drinking water and trying to eat. Here's the thing; I pretty much live on my own. I'm seriously opposed to telling my doctor that I had another seizure. I'm terrified. He said he would take away my license if I had another one. I'm very independant. My license is my LIFELINE. I can't tell my parents or friends because they'll flip out and honestly I don't want to put my mother through that..
What should I do? I don't know I guess I just want to talk to/hear from people. This is the absolute worst feeling in the world. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Comments
Re: Please Give me Advice.... Just had a seizure
Submitted by idkwhat2do on Fri, 2013-09-06 - 15:29
Hey Kat313, thank you so much for telling me about your story. To me, that is just.....holy crap. I'm so glad you're okay.
There was a man that my dad knew that had epilepsy, and had it bad. He lost his license. However, one day, he felt the need to drive (I forgot why). The one day he did, he ran into oncoming traffic on the highway (going 55mph) and killed another man, as well as himself. Absolutely horrifying. You're so lucky and I'm so glad you're okay. I can't imagine. That really puts it in perspective. I had forgotten about that story it happened so long ago.
How long have you been seizure free now? I hope it's gotten better. And seriously, I look up to people like you. I have the mildest form and it's just one of the worst things to ever happen to me. You are a very strong person. What medication do you take?
Thanks for sharing that, I greatly appreciate it. Good luck to you.
Hey Kat313, thank you so much for telling me about your story. To me, that is just.....holy crap. I'm so glad you're okay.
There was a man that my dad knew that had epilepsy, and had it bad. He lost his license. However, one day, he felt the need to drive (I forgot why). The one day he did, he ran into oncoming traffic on the highway (going 55mph) and killed another man, as well as himself. Absolutely horrifying. You're so lucky and I'm so glad you're okay. I can't imagine. That really puts it in perspective. I had forgotten about that story it happened so long ago.
How long have you been seizure free now? I hope it's gotten better. And seriously, I look up to people like you. I have the mildest form and it's just one of the worst things to ever happen to me. You are a very strong person. What medication do you take?
Thanks for sharing that, I greatly appreciate it. Good luck to you.
Re: Please Give me Advice.... Just had a seizure
Submitted by Kat313 on Fri, 2013-09-06 - 16:07
Hey thanks for writing back. Glad my message brought that story back to mind. As horrible as it is, it serves as a very important warning.
I've been seizure-free 3 weeks and 3 days (but who's counting, right? LOL) I've been back to work for the 3 days, and so far, so good. Of course I am not driving; a dear friend brings me here and takes me home. I definitely do not think of myself as a strong person, just a survivor (also had a small stroke 2 months ago, and am being treated for high blood pressure and long-standing major depression - I am 53. Old to you, I know, but much too young for all this to be going on.)
I currently take Carbamazapine, which I have taken many years, and Vimpat, which is a new add-on for me. It took a few years and working with my doctors to find the right meds; I tried over a dozen, and in various combinations since diagnosed in 2004. The disease changes with time, and medications must be adjusted as well. A good neurologist makes all the difference.
Take care and hang in there. It will get easier with time and support. We're all here for you!
Hey thanks for writing back. Glad my message brought that story back to mind. As horrible as it is, it serves as a very important warning.
I've been seizure-free 3 weeks and 3 days (but who's counting, right? LOL) I've been back to work for the 3 days, and so far, so good. Of course I am not driving; a dear friend brings me here and takes me home. I definitely do not think of myself as a strong person, just a survivor (also had a small stroke 2 months ago, and am being treated for high blood pressure and long-standing major depression - I am 53. Old to you, I know, but much too young for all this to be going on.)
I currently take Carbamazapine, which I have taken many years, and Vimpat, which is a new add-on for me. It took a few years and working with my doctors to find the right meds; I tried over a dozen, and in various combinations since diagnosed in 2004. The disease changes with time, and medications must be adjusted as well. A good neurologist makes all the difference.
Take care and hang in there. It will get easier with time and support. We're all here for you!
Re: Please Give me Advice.... Just had a seizure
Submitted by Kat313 on Fri, 2013-09-06 - 15:13
Hi - I've been reading these posts for many months, but this is the first time I felt I needed to write a reply. My epilepsy had been in remission, with medication, for nearly 4 years. Then I had a seizure this year while moving, stress-related no doubt. After getting my dosage increased I went about 4 months seizure-free and felt I could safely drive again. (In my state I am supposed to wait 6 months.)
I started driving myself to work again, but the first day I did, I had the worst seizure ever for me, and ran off the road, through ditches, etc. while unconcious. By the amount of damage to the vehicle, it appeared the air bag saved my life. That was my third accident caused by a seizure while driving. (I was first diagnosed following a crash, and the second was after no seizures for 6 months.)
I was so very lucky; no other vehicles were ever involved, and my own injuries have been minor. BUT I WILL NEVER PUSH MY LUCK AGAIN! I realize I could have been killed, or worse, killed someone else. It's just not worth the risk. I was always very independent as well. In fact, I was (and still am) a person who helps others. It was very difficult to reach out to others for help, like driving me to work every day, to the grocery store, and everywhere else. But you know what? Those I asked were more than happy to help, and some have gone way above and beyond. Talk to your family and friends; you may be just as surprised as I was at how helpful they want to be, given the opportunity.
Best of luck to you and to all of us! Good to know none of us has to muddle through it all alone!
Hi - I've been reading these posts for many months, but this is the first time I felt I needed to write a reply. My epilepsy had been in remission, with medication, for nearly 4 years. Then I had a seizure this year while moving, stress-related no doubt. After getting my dosage increased I went about 4 months seizure-free and felt I could safely drive again. (In my state I am supposed to wait 6 months.)
I started driving myself to work again, but the first day I did, I had the worst seizure ever for me, and ran off the road, through ditches, etc. while unconcious. By the amount of damage to the vehicle, it appeared the air bag saved my life. That was my third accident caused by a seizure while driving. (I was first diagnosed following a crash, and the second was after no seizures for 6 months.)
I was so very lucky; no other vehicles were ever involved, and my own injuries have been minor. BUT I WILL NEVER PUSH MY LUCK AGAIN! I realize I could have been killed, or worse, killed someone else. It's just not worth the risk. I was always very independent as well. In fact, I was (and still am) a person who helps others. It was very difficult to reach out to others for help, like driving me to work every day, to the grocery store, and everywhere else. But you know what? Those I asked were more than happy to help, and some have gone way above and beyond. Talk to your family and friends; you may be just as surprised as I was at how helpful they want to be, given the opportunity.
Best of luck to you and to all of us! Good to know none of us has to muddle through it all alone!