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Living Alone With Epilepsy
Wed, 09/13/2006 - 15:38Topic: Men With Epilepsy
Hi everyone,
I live a busy professional life as a consultant and live alone. I've been having grand-mal seizures for 2 years now (about 5-6 episodes). Living alone introduces some complications which I would like to bring up.
1. Sometimes it is extremely difficult for me to figure out whether or not I've had a seizure. This especially happens if I have been unwell, if I had more than 4 beers the night before, or if I am very tired with work. Often, some scattered stuff and a pounding headache is the only sign. At other times, some weird bruises are the only clues.
2. I also find it difficult to judge whether or not I suffer from absence seizures (staring episodes). If there was someone to see me, I could find out. Any alternative suggestions to investigate?
3. I have come to recognize the aura I tend to have. It starts with a feeling that "everything i've done is useless... pointless...". I usually lie down in bed, but have learnt the hard way that too much sleep is a sure trigger for a seizure in my case. Does it work for other like this? What do you all find useful in preventing a seizure if an aura is experienced?
4. Does anyone experience an increase in fidgety behavior for a few days following a serizure? I find myself shaking my legs, jerking my arms.... or a flickering feeling in eyelashes. I am keen to corroborate my theory that this is linked to a seizure because if so, I can use it as a sign to take it easy till these symptoms reduce (implying return to normal state of affairs in my head)
Whew! thats a lots of questions. Please feel free to contact me for more information. I like to lve life to the fullest and am not going to let a disease like this stop me. Others interested in the same goal should connect!
G
Comments
Re: Re: Living Alone With Epilepsy
Submitted by epl_controller on Wed, 2006-09-20 - 17:55
Thanks George for your encouraging comments.
To take the discussion further, what is the recommended rest time after a full-seizure (tonic-clonic)? And what is the best way to spend this time, assuming you're not in hospital but recovering alone at home?
Re: Re: Re: Living Alone With Epilepsy
Submitted by andy m on Thu, 2006-09-21 - 05:43
I know that some of this sounds incredibly reckless but assuming that I hadn't taken a header and hit anything hard I would sometimes sit down until my head cleared and then get on with life I have even had seizures at work, had a bit of a rest and carried on working, even when I was taken to hospital I would sometimes be literally fighting my way out of the ambulance or trying to sneak out of hospital, crazy I know but I was much younger and stupider then and we all like to think sometimes that no matter what this ******** condition isn't going to beat us. In case anyone thinks otherwise these were tonic-clonic seizures and yes I do realise how stupid I was. Another thing that drove me to these extremes was that I couldn't stand the thought that I might be perceived being less than capable at work. I know there are laws against discrimination but you try telling a lot of employers that, but that's opening up a whole new can of worms. I would often set off to work knowing that I would have a seizure that day but couldn't face the prospect of ringing work and telling them I would be spending the day at home because I knew something was going to happen later that day. You just get a mental picture of the reaction at the other end of the phone!! Sorry for going a bit off the beaten track but I thought I'd tell you not what to do after a seizure.
Re: Living Alone With Epilepsy
Submitted by George R on Sun, 2006-09-17 - 09:15
George - NYC 55-Million Have It! That's right. Studies show that over 55-million people 'round this globe of ours have epilepsy. 2.7 million in the USA alone. And there's a myriad of reactions, warnings, after-effects that we can experience. What can be most frustrating is what you pointed out--best put in your "fidgety behavior." This can occur as something of Mama Nature's warning that a seizure is on its way. As can an ongoing flickering of the area directly below the eye. Then there are the "electric" sensations we can get in the most unexpected parts of our body. For me, that area is often in the toes of my left foot. Or in one of my knees. But don't forget, our neurological system doesn't just occupy area in our brain. Our nervous system has "wires" running throughout our entire body. And while these little flickers and "should I scratch?" sensations are frustrating, they're part and parcel of the body's electrical system. Your auras are much like my own. They occur usually one to two days before a seizure takes over, and are kind of a warning to me. Years ago, I let them frighten me into doing absolutely nothing. I'd tend to stay home. Call in sick. Cancel plans to go to the theater. Not now, however. I've come to see that our very moments on earth are invaluable. And with this in mind, even after a seizure I do not give myself unnecessary time behind a locked door. Sure, I'll let my system, and maybe my way of looking at myself, have a while. But nowhere like years ago. No, your remarks are right on target. They spell out quite specifically what the majority of us go through. Only difference is a positive one. A feather in your cap. And that is that you recognize the changes in your behavior and manner in which you see yourself. Better that than running home (or staying at home) and, if you will, letting life's phone go on ringing! --George