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Why have my seizures gotten worse?

Wed, 01/28/2004 - 00:48
I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was almost 5 years old, in other words, early 1988. My epilepsy was kept under control for so many years. My epilepsy was kept under control until 2003. So that is what? That is fifteen years. I still don't know why my seizures have been gradually, yet steadily getting worse within the past 13 or 14 months. All I can say is that it is frustrating to not be able to work very much. I am unable to work enough to support myself. My situation right now is really difficult sometimes. There is a good possibility that I will loose my health insurance since I'm not able to work very much, and I get my insurance through where I work. Plus, the co-pays of my epilepsy medication is expensive. I also have anxiety attacks at night. There is a very good possibility that I will need surgery, but surprisingly, that is the least of my worries. My medications have been changed so much over the past 4-6 months, it gets to be pretty rediculous. If anyone could post something anything, I need all the support that I can get. I feel like I am fighting this battle alone even though my family, friends, and other loved ones have been absolutely wonderful. They have supported me thus far, and I know they always will. I just feel all alone despite the fact that I have a wonderful support system. I will leave it at that. Thank you for reading this.

Comments

RE: medications I have been on

Submitted by e_nuffofthis on Thu, 2004-01-22 - 09:45
I'm here waiting for the rest, when you are up to it. Then I want you to print this all out and keep it as your record. You have been on a rollar coaster and you need to get to a epileptologist at a good epilepsy center. If what you are saying is that you have a malformation in the temporal lobe, the good news is that you should have been looked at as a surgery candidate years ago, but that's okay cause the technology is much superior now.

RE: medications I have been on

Submitted by EpilepsyDotComEditor on Thu, 2004-01-22 - 13:49
It does appear that you should ask to be evaluated for possible surgery ASAP. People with structural abnormalities in their brain, as you describe, generally have the best results if surgery can be performed.The additional seizures, stress, and interrupted sleep all could be contributing to your current memory problems. Some of your medications may also be involved. Do make sure that your neurologist understands how much trouble you are experiencing.Can you enlist friends and family members to help you even more in this difficult time? It should help if they can describe to the doctor (in person, preferably, or at least in writing) what happens during episodes when you are "blacked out." They also can give another perspective on changes in your thinking ability and behavior. Good luck!

RE: medications I have been on

Submitted by poetrywriter2004 on Mon, 2004-01-26 - 00:25
Ok, before I say anything else about my medications, there is a big mistake that I made about where the malformation is. My mother just told me. This is what she told me that the Pediatric Neurologist said to her back in 1988. Part of my right Occipital Lobe isn't there. It never formed before birth, and the area of my right next to it is malformed. I have to admit, it does feel really good to know that.

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