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Emotional Support

Fri, 04/13/2007 - 23:00
Hi all. Do any of you have difficulty of getting emotional support from other family members? I see many posts of family members and friends wanting to know how to offer support and understnding for those relatives and/or friends with epilepsy. My sisters offer no support to me. I have complex partial seizures. While my friends and co-workers are very supportive and understanding, my sisters are not. In fact, my friends and co-workers feel more like family to me than my sisters do. I was diagnosed with epilepsy in July of last year. Apparently, my sisters did not even believe me when I told them. After a seizure in which I injured myself, they both actually asked me if I was sure that it was epilepsy I had been diagnosed with. I was very hurt by the fact that they did not believe me. I even had to read the EEG report to them. I have tried to get them to look at this web site and others to read about my disorder, so they have a better understanding of me and some of the problems I have to deal with because of my disorder. I do not think either of them have. How do I get through to them that I need their support and help? Thanks. tlh64

Comments

Re: Re: Emotional Support

Submitted by stephanie patient on Wed, 2007-05-30 - 16:15
Hey, since your sister seems to think your E is not real why not tell her she's just making up her migrains to get attention! I don't know how common it is to have something on an MRI show up which might be causing the seizures. I had white spots from a car accident that is probably causing mine. I know MRI's are really expensive and sometimes the most expensive type is the only one that can pick up things that might be wrong with your brain. Luckily I have good insurance.

Re: Re: Emotional Support

Submitted by jamespmnj on Wed, 2007-05-30 - 16:51
Interesting point. It'd be a way to challenge your sister and make her think twice about her comments. Yes, to get attention! I've had MRIs and EEGs as I was growing up, and nothing showed any signs of a partial-complex seizure disorder or epilepsy. In my experience, the only thing that would show any type of indication is a blood level within 24 hours of a seizure. It would show that there's either an increase or decrease in your medication level, which could cause a seizure. Since you and your sister have the same pneurologist, he should be able to communicate your epilepsy with your sister - just as he'd explain to you about her migraines. Communication is the key. The doctor would communicate to you what to do during her migraines. The doctor can also communicate to your sister what to do during the seizures. Good luck. :) --James

HI TERRI, GOOD TO FIND YU

Submitted by ROCKNROLL on Wed, 2007-10-10 - 01:41
HI TERRI, GOOD TO FIND YU BACK AGAIN! SORRY STILL NO SUPPORT.......NONE ON MY SIDE EITHER. EXCEPT OF COURSE MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO IS NOT ALLOWED TO SEE ME ANYMORE. MY SON, I THINK POSSILBY YES, BUT EVERYTIME WE MAKE PLANS, EITHER I AM SICK OR HE CAN'T MAKE IT. I HOPE YOU FIND SOME GOOD IDEAS HERE.I WAS READING SOMETHING ELSE THE OTHER DAY. A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE HAD A GOOD SUPPORT SYSTEM. I WAS AMAZED THAT EVERYONE DID. IN FACT, I WAS LOOKING FOR THAT, AND SEARCH SUPPORT SYSTEM AND VOILA! HERE YOU ARE. YOU SHOULD READ KJCANADA'S LAST BLOG. SHE ISN'T GETTING ANY SUPPORT EITHER. NOT FROM HUBBY, NOT FROM FRIENDS, ETC. THINK I WILL DIRECT HER THIS WAY. ......GLAD YOU HAVE YOUR CO-WORKERS! SISTERS.......BOY CAN THEY BE A PAIN WHEN THEY WANT TO BE. I THINK IT IS THAT CONSTANT SIBLING RIVALRY I TOLD YOU ABOUT, AND DON'T UNDERSTAND. LOTS OF LOVE, JAN TALK SOON

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