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Question I think...I hate figuring out titles

Tue, 01/17/2006 - 01:25
Hi Everyone, You know as odd as this may sound I never noticed most of what my doctors call seizures before. My EEG showed TLE, my MRI showed brain damage in the back of my brain where the visual area is (sorry I can't remember what it was called), apparently the two problematic areas combine and hence the variety of seizures I get. My doctors put me on 1200mg of trileptal, I figured since the seizures never greatly bothered me before that while on medication they'd be nonexistent. I think I might have figured wrong. I am driving, myself on and never with anyone else in the car. I work third shift and unfortunately, there's no one to drive me to work and I need to work. Since I was diagnosed I've become very cautious in my driving. But lately I've had a few close calls because something happens to me. I don't even know if these would be considered seizures. I'll be driving and all of a sudden I get hit with a wave of tiredness, my eyes jump all over the place(or feel like it) I have trouble seeing the road, trouble seeing any and I black out. These episodes are never long, I usually come to again in time to keep from hitting anything (although last week I ended up off the road and in the middle of a field, that god for fields). I know I'm going to have to tell my doctor, but I wasn't sure which doctor to tell. Anyone else ever have anything similar happen? I changed from second to third shift a week ago, could this be messing with my head? Is this a neurologist or regular doctor issues? I know I have to talk to my neurologist anyways because I have been having auras alot lately, rooms changing color on me and getting fuzzy. People talking to me sound like they're really far away. Zoning out. That type of deal. Thanks all. Sorry that was so long.

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Re: Question I think...I hate figuring out titles

Submitted by Gina Marie on Wed, 2006-02-22 - 09:17
Well the good news is I'm finally listening to you all. Bad news it took my doctor threatening to report me to the DMV to get me too. My doctor is usually a very calm, mild mannered older gentleman, I managed to make him royally angry when he found out not only was I still driving, but I'm still having seizures too, a few of the seizures happened while I was driving but I didn't dare tell him that. I came home and gave my family my car keys. I still feel like my independence has been taken away from me :( But hopefully only for the next six months. It crosses my mind not to tell my doctor if I have any more seizures just so I can get my license back in six months instead of having it pushed off again. I know that wouldn't be a good thing to do, but around here if you don't have a car you are stuck. I need a new brain.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Question I think...I hate figuring out title

Submitted by txrhb1 on Sun, 2006-02-26 - 00:32
I am soooooo glad you are not driving for now. You now need to work with your doctor to get the seizures under control. Here in my state, you can get your license back if you have been seizure free for 6 months. Be agressive in working with your doctor, but make sure you allow each treatment option a chance to work before giving up on it. It takes a while to get the meds up to a therapeutic range, so don't give up easily. Like you, I am "stuck" at home, unable to drive. I have not driven in over 2 years now. In the beginning - it was my hardest challenge. Now, it doesn't matter so much anymore. We have had to re-define "normal" around my house, and mom driving is just not normal right now !! Maybe someday, maybe not. We'll have to wait and see. I wish you the best of luck! ((( hugs ))), Barbie *************************************** "We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo

Re: Question I think...I hate figuring out titles

Submitted by mommy2kyra on Tue, 2006-01-17 - 13:33
Hi Gina, I'm going to second Barbie's reponse...pleeease stop driving now. Your experiences do sound like seizures, and I'd hate for something to happen to you (or someone else) because of one. You need to call your neuro, and tell him/her what's been happening. It definitely sux to lose you license...it's inconvenient and a bit of a blow to self-esteem...but arrangements shouldn't be too hard to make in order to overcome inconveniences. You can explain to your boss that you need to go back onto second shift, in order to make it easier to get to and from work. You might also explain that the shift is making you a little sleep-deprived, and inducing seizures (if your boss is hesitant to put you back on second, due to other people's schedules). You can then make arrangements with friends or family to give rides. Most people are more than willing to help when they know what's going on. Best of luck to you, take care! Heather :)

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