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How many of you work and what do you do?
Wed, 10/11/2006 - 12:37I have been diagnosed with E for 9 years but had them since I was at least 7. I have worked since I was able to work. Part time as a teen-ager. Then when I got married at 18 (8-S)
I worked full time and have sine then, besides a year for school.
I am to the point now, though, that I feel I am almost not able to anymore. I am having a hard time dealing with this. I'm being really hard on myself my husband and family says. I know I can't help having E. I know I have tried to work all these years with it. But now that is it getting worse and I am on more meds , I don't think I can hold on much longer. I feel so guilty about it. I'm messing up at work, and when I do that at my job, its a big deal.
I don't know, I guess I needed to vent. Thanks for listening. (((Hugs)))
Comments
Re: How many of you work and what do you do?
Submitted by GodivaGirl on Sat, 2006-10-28 - 12:07
I work for a computer company.
My background in IT is system application development and support.
Right now they have me doing marketing because I don't have a license.
I'm not sure if I'll like marketing or not. Only been doing this about 6 mths. So, I'm currently looking for a new job to get back into development and support (did that for 8 yrs without a license where I used to work)
If I can't get into dev & support, then I'll look more into a legal assistant job, since I went to school for Sociology/Criminal Justice.
Seizure meds are killer though - I'm saving up to cover the 3 mths without benefits between jobs, that's how it is in Ontario & being on 3 meds I need roughly $1500.
My advice focus on what you like in life, don't let work stress ya too much and hang tough!
Re: Re: How many of you work and what do you do?
Submitted by dgamble21401 on Sat, 2006-10-28 - 15:35
I work in the IT department of a large University in Baltimore and was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 40, when I had a seizure and an "abnormal EEG". Since then I have only had 3 seizures in 4 years, but I have had many more issue with the AEDs. I started on time released dilantin (1 pill a day), and that seemed to dump the whole 24hr dose in all at once. My blood levels where 20 in a few hours after I took the med, and 4 (or even zero) 8 hours later. I then switched to "normal" dilantin at 300mg and worked up to 700mg, first generic then name brand over the next 3 years. Day to day I struggle with my memory, have trouble walking straight, and don’t feel safe driving and generally felt really lousy all the time. It seems that no one full understands what AEDs really do to you until you have taken them for a few years. Today I’m switching to Keppra and hope it works out better.
In one sense I feel I should quit complaining because I don't have that many seizures. People posting here have many more than that and still deal with it. I have a job that isn’t made unavailable to me just because I have a seizure disorder, yet the frustration I feel is almost indescribable. It is very challenging doing any thing that requires careful thinking and problem solving (like everything I do) and also find multitasking very difficult. I know I am not doing as good of job at work as used to, and while I have a really great boss (a close relative of hers has severe E), I still wonder how long I can keep going like this at work if the Keppra doesn't address the severe side-effects. While everyone is very understanding you can’t help but think they “will just have to make a change†one day. Some days I just can't think clearly no matter how hard I try. Because I don't have a clear pattern of seizures, I'm not really sure how long I go with the Keppra before I say it is working. I do have good insurance and can get transportation to work most days without driving, and there are no licensing requirements or IT here in Maryland (at least I hope not).
I read through all of the postings here and realize (kind of for the first time) that I am not alone in my feelings. Having that knowledge does really help, although not having any side-effects would be a lot better!
Re: How many of you work and what do you do?
Submitted by greeneyes on Fri, 2006-10-27 - 17:09
Hi! I have only Had Sizures for 2 years now and they ar driving me batty :). I work at a Grocery store here in austin Texas and My managers know all about my Medical Problems and Have all my numbers of family they need to call just in case close at hand. I understand about the More meds thing I have a hard time taking pills and I have to take them one at a time. You Just need to take it one day at a time and just remember to Breathe and Smile and you will make it. Its what I do and I tell my self Its a new day and I can do this no matter what :). Hope you are doing well you are in my prayers. Gillyan