TLE Newbie! *WAVES MADLY*

Thank you, your comments are much appreciated. Actually, I was diagnosed by the head neurologist at the hospital, surprisingly. He was on my case as soon as I was rushed into Casualty with my first seizure (my cousin was the paramedic who arrived when the call was put it, so we had that little luxury at least). I was kept in hospital for a week, and then had an outpatient appointment a few weeks later to do an EEG. That, coupled with the MRI from the hospital stay, resulted in the diagnosis. Back then I knew nothing about epilepsy other than the grand mal/tonic-clonic seizure variety, and since that is the type of seizure I had that started the whole charade off, I assumed that is the only type I suffered from. Found out after a chance discussion on another outpatient appointment about SPS and my mother realised it was that with which she had been complaining about to numerous doctors throughout my childhood. Anyway, fast forward - my G.P put me on Sodium Valproate, and for the most part, as you guessed, he is pretty clueless about what happens to me. My last tonic-clonic was almost two years ago now, and he was called out to the house by my mother. He told me there was no point in going back on meds because of the infrequency. Anyway, the other things...all of the other symptoms of SPS that I suffer, I always thought they were associated with depression, and it's only been in the last year or so I have started to actually realise it is seizure related. I'm in Cornwall, so I doubt I will have the best access to specialists, but here's hoping something will turn up. Wow, what a rant here. LOL *hugs*

You are so right about the NHS being something of a postcode lottery, plus a lot of hospitals tend to be excellent in certain fields but not others, e.g. when I needed a exploratory op that needed my skull opening up I had to use St. James in Leeds 20 miles away from me in York whereas my own hospital is at the end of my street. Whereas when it came to my Epilepsy after dealing with inept but well meaning GPS and several equally bad ''specialists'' I struck lucky when my hospital suddenly had an expert in the field as a consultant and also an excellent Epi nurse to take care of me who was willing to listen and be patient with me through a lot of low points and even helped me set up appointments with all sorts of other people and groups that she felt might be beneficial to me. I owe a lot to her and even though she was only doing her job I feel that I was lucky to find someone who was willing to listen and learn from what I had to say. Even though now I have been seizure free for over 3 years I am 'low priority' in NHS terms my nurse and consultant both say that if there is anything I need or feedback I want to give them they are only too happy to hear from me though officially I only have appointments yearly now. AEDs are also a lottery and believe me I have tried ever combination to find the jackpot over the years and I feel (touch wood) that i have found that combination for the foreseeable future. I wish all the best for you as i know that sometimes the NHS system can be incredibly infuriating. GPS when it comes to E are pretty useless even though ironically I have to see my GP every 6 months to get the official OK to keep getting the meds that he didn't even put me on in the first place!! Gotta love the NHS...LOL