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Boyfriend and Epilepsy

Mon, 05/08/2017 - 13:20
Hello everyone. I am new to this site and community forum, however, I am not new to the world of Epilepsy. I do not have it, however, my boyfriend of nearly four years does. He is 37, and was diagnosed at the age of 14. We met at our former employer nearly four years ago. When we began talking, he told me about the Epilepsy. I was nervous at first, because I knew nothing about Epilepsy before him. He was nervous to tell me because of how others have reacted in the past. I was nervous at first, but not scared. I just knew I needed to do my homework. From the beginning, I encouraged him and loved him. I always told him it was something he had, it did not have him. I never defined him as an "Epileptic." He was simply the man I loved. Things were wonderful for the first two years of our relationship. I saw the first seizure within months of us beginning to date. He was fearful I would run, but I did the opposite, I loved. I reacted with the information he gave me, what to do, etc. I loved him and encouraged him to get his rest after one would take place. I encouraged myself to continue to educate myself about Epilepsy. That is when I discovered the world of treatments and meds. When we began dating, he was on both Keppra and Dilantin. Two years after we started dating, he was taken off of the Dilantin and remained on the generic version of Keppra. When we first met, there was very little mood swings with him. You would have never known he was on any medication. The job he had at the time was somewhat stressful, but he learned to manage when I came into his life at the same employer. The only side effect I noticed with him is fatigue, and I understand that is completely normal. Within the last year, his temper and patience level has completely changed him from the man I fell in love with, I am at odds on what to do. He curses, gets mad over the dumbest things, especially directed at me. We do not live together, and phone calls have been extremely stressful. He has a fairly new job he has been at for just short of a year. He has the same employer as my dad. He really enjoys it there, especially because of my dad being there. This job is a little more physically demanding and stressful, but he loves a challenge. He has excelled at it. My grandfather passed away two years ago, and my grandfather thought the world of him and vice versa. He was completely supportive of me and was there when I needed him most. My boyfriend recently had another seizure at the orthapedic office. He was there at his last follow up appointment for a broken hand he suffered from another seizure. They told him he may need to have his meds changed. His doctor doubled up on the generic Keppra, increasing from one pill in the morning to two, keeping the third for bedtime. I told him that some time back hid meds needed changing, altering, but it went in one ear and out the other. My 100-year-old grandmother (opposite side of my family) passed away a few days ago. On the day she passed away, he completely cursed me out over the phone, would not come to the hospital, and would not see me. He didn't even ask if there was anything he could do for me. He screamed, yelled, and cursed at me, actually ending our relationship on the day she passed away. This is in no way the man I love. He would volunteer to do anything for anyone at anytime. He didn't even come to he funeral or to see me. A couple of weeks ago he put in for a referral at his regular medical doctor for a Neurologist. I called this morning without him knowing to see if the referral had been sent over and is is still going through the pipeline. I'm desperate to get the man back I love. We had so many plans for our future. We had planned on getting married, building a home, and travelling together. We were so supportive with one another on every level, I feel so lost now. We had house plans, colors, and furniture chosen. We had our whole lives planned. It amazes me how you can have a relationship of four years and just walk away. No explanation, no conversation, just end it. This is not his character or personality. I know it has to be the medication. With us not being together, I have no way of being involved with the pending Neurologist, medical discussion, or what others have been witnessing with his behavior. I don't know what to do. I love him, want to be supportive, and want to be involved. I want him to be happy and enjoy life. I want the best for him and want to stand by his side during this process. He is my soulmate, I have no doubt in that, and I want him to be in my life. Epilepsy or whatever, I want us to be in this fight together. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Any advice would be helpful.

Comments

I see you posted this about a

Submitted by PYTJess on Fri, 2017-06-02 - 13:58
I see you posted this about a month ago. Are things better? Keppra (generic brand) made me EXTREMELY MOODY!!! ANGRY!!! And last but not least, depressed. It was awful! Thank God I'm off of it now! One day at my neurologist appointment, the nurse was asking about my side effects. I told her about my moodiness, anger, depression. She say Oh yea, Keppra can make you very moody. While going through this forum the past few years, I've noticed that A LOT of people on Keppra had terrible mood swings and depression. Now, I'm not saying all people experience these side effects, but DEFINITELY A LOT of people seem to have experienced them. Since I've been off I am MUCH better. No mood swings, anger, nor depression! This side effect is irrelevant, but I also experienced hair loss on Keppra! Is there a family member of his that you can ask about his Epilepsy and current meds?

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