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Diagnosed this morning
Sat, 10/21/2006 - 03:52Topic: New to Epilepsy.com
Hi all,
So apparently I've been having seizures since I was 12. My neurologist diagnosed me this morning. I guess it's good to have a name for what's been going on (it's really freaky the way epilepsy/seizures explains nearly every thing that has been going on), but it's kind of scary to find out that it's this. I'm 22, married, graduating from ASU in December, and looking to start a career in Real Estate or Marketing. My husband and I also want to start having kids in the near future (2-3 years). I don't know how this will effect things. I realize that I'm not alone in this, but I've never known anyone with seizures and after spending all day researching them I feel like I still know very little.
I guess I'm looking for comfort from those that have been in my shoes. I'm pretty scared and I really want to be strong. My husband worries about my health and now has good reason to.
Also, I am starting Lamictal (took my first pill a few hours ago). Any thoughts on this drug? If you had a reaction to it do you have other drug allergies that might be related?
Thanks!
Channing
Comments
Re: Diagnosed this morning
Submitted by GodivaGirl on Sun, 2006-10-22 - 13:18
Hi:
OK - Dunno if this will work or not, but for the most part there's a lot of great information in a post on a group I used to co-assist in MSN. I actually asked the question a long time ago about the impact of seizures, seizure meds & having kids. My seizures got worse, so we've delayed things lots, but this Link should help. If the link doesn't work it's MSN.COM -- MSN GROUPS -- THE EPILEPSY CHAT -- LET'S TALK -- Subject "Curious if Any Epileptic Women have had kids". You'll see about 50 replies & great info.
http://groups.msn.com/theepilepsychat/letstalk.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=1646&LastModified=4675589838595303988
Check back there once in awhile.
If you are looking at having kids. A few suggestions, since things are looking better in my world. I'm still common-law, but want my boyfriend to know where we stand with kids before we get married, so here's what I'm being told lately.
A) Genetic Counselling is a good idea
B) Find a great high risk OBGYN
C) Try to only be on one seizure med (I'm on 3 - Topomax, Keppra, Clobazam)
D) Take Folic Acid WAY in advance & take more than a non-epileptic woman
There's a few suggestions.
Good luck with Lamictal, I've heard it's a great drug. I was on it for a glimpse of time when I was 22. It was just too expensive for the results I was getting.
Hope all goes well.
- EC
Re: Re: Diagnosed this morning
Submitted by Channing83 on Mon, 2006-10-23 - 04:22
EC,
Thanks so much for the tips. Also, I was able to get the link to work so I have bookmarked it (there's a lot to read, so I know it will be more than one sitting).
Thank you and good luck with having a baby!
~Channing
Re: Re: Diagnosed this morning
Submitted by Channing83 on Sun, 2006-10-22 - 01:31
Thanks, Sherri. Yeah, I've been finding sights that say that there are no reasons why we shouldn't have kids, which has been comforting. I haven't seen anything that says it's genetic. Have you heard this? Everything I've read has just said to stay on your meds, but didn't say anything about the posibility of passing it on to kids. I'll definitely be talking with all of my doctors when we decide we are wanting to conceive, hopefully I will be able to find doctors that have experience with it all. Thanks for your words of encouragement. It's nice to talk to someone that has been through this. Thank you, Channing