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Elementary Teacher with Epilepsy
Mon, 01/19/2015 - 14:07I am seeking some advice or resources for teachers with a seizure disorder. I am having a few issues, and I am not really sure where to turn. Every time I try to find resources, I am innundated with resources for teachers that have STUDENTS with epilepsy, but that is not what I am looking for! I am a teacher with a seizure disorder.
I was diagnosed last year after having 2 stress-induced complex-partial seizures in school while working, on separate occasions (though I did not know at the time they were seizures). After the second time it happened I went to the ER, where I had another complex partial seizure, followed up by a grand mal seizure, and was admitted for a few days and tested, tested, tested! I was sent to a neurologist, given 2 weeks off, and recovery time.
I am back at work now, medicated (tried Keppra- allergic, then Tegretol- made me dizzy, now Zonegran), but still having occasional seizures. No more seizures at work (thank goodness), but I am horrified it could happen in my classroom while teaching (and I am concerned that the stress of the thought alone could lead to a seizure). We don't really have an official plan in place if it were ever to happen. I am wondering if any other teachers (or anyone with a job where they are in supervision of others) has any suggestions for me! I have 20 elementary aged students for whom I am responsible. What should be the protocol if I were to have a seizure!?
I am very luck to have an amazing principal and school nurse on staff that have been so supportive, but I am trying to find resources for teachers with seizure disorders, but have not been able to find anything. I can't possibly be the first teacher to ever have a seizure at work!
My primary concern is if I were to have another seizure at school, especially in my classroom. Though both of my seizures happened at school, I had an indication that something was off, and was able to send my class to the playground with another teacher the first time it happened. I would like to come up with a plan for what to do if... I am in my classroom with my students? In the hall? I feel preictal? Should my class leave the room? Where should they go? Do I have to go home after a seizure? How do we know if I am ready to return to teaching?
I'm having some trouble. My principal and school nurse, while incredibly supportive, are both fairly new in their jobs, so I visited our employee resource office for the district. I left extremely upset, and not assisted! She was very uninformed about my condition, and seemed to be hung up on the idea that I was having convulsive seizures. I kept explaining to her that I have a seizure disorder, it's diagnosed. I regularly see a neurologist. I have complex partial seizures. I described and explained complex partial seizures but she did not seem to understand! She told me that if I had a seizure in school, they would have to send me to the hospital. She said it would be incredibly traumatic for my students to witness me having a seizure and she was very concerned about it. She kept bringing up different potential lawsuits, parents suing the district, me suing the district!? I was mortified when I left her office and when I got home, actually had a seizure, she stressed me out so much!
My secondary concern is privacy! Because this all happened in school, it's not exactly confidential, and every single staff member is aware of my seizure disorder (though I was not the one who told them)! As whispers started happening, people were saying crazy things, so I spoke with my coworkers at a staff meeting about the importance of keeping my medical information confidential and not sharing it with anyone, particularly parents and students. This has settled down a bit, but I am still very concerned about parents finding out about my seizures. I teach in a district that does a lot of gossiping so I am very lucky that they did not find out already. They simply thought I passed out and was home sick for a few weeks. What would I do if I had a seizure at school and parents were to find out?
Anything would be helpful!
WelcomeI read your post and
Submitted by just_joe on Mon, 2015-01-19 - 17:14
WelcomeI read your post and understand your concern. I also know that many people do not know how common epilepsy is. The problem with epilepsy is the stigma associated with it.As for medications and the occasional seizure after being put on them. A medication that works for one person may not work for the next, Each persons seizure may have the same symptoms but what happens in them is different. There is no one sixze fits all medication. It takes time to get the medication levels built up in your body. If you have been taking the same medication for 2-3 months then you should be seeing your neurologist to check the dosage to see if it is controlling your seizures. The neurologist generally has visits after that period of time. In the visit you will be asked how the medication is working and if you are still having seizures. Do tell him about the seizures and your dosage could be raised r lowered (adjusted) and it could reduce the number of seizures you are still having. So check with him. You might also ask him the questions you have about assistance in your job. I would also suggest you call the 24/7 hotline and ask them. You can point them to this post and they can read your concerns. The help line is there for anybody to call wanting information. The foundation also has assistance for school nurses and others in the school or school district. They can also send people out to talk to the administration if I am not mistaken. You might also find information listed under support and assistance. If it were me I would call since you get to talk to people who want to assist or know where to send you. I have simple partial seizures and with the medication today I could be in front of people and have one and they would know nothing of it. I have a recovery medication I take after that 1st seizure which keeps me from having another. I can go about my business without resting. I hope this helps and you get the assistance you need Joe