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Epilepsy as a result of major head trauma
Sat, 06/24/2006 - 08:46I was involved in a major accident on July 3, 2001. I had a massive head injury as a result and after coming out of a short coma, I began having seizures. I went through several different anti-epileptic drug without any success/ decrease in seizure activity, eventually giving up on medication completely.
Currently, my seizures are untreated and neither I nor my neurologists have been able to come up with any definitive "trigger." I have withdrawn almost completely from life because of fear and general anxiety about my epilepsy. I feel as if I've lost a ton of memory/ cognitive ability and am not only not living up to my potential (whatever that may be), but barely existing at all.
Does anyone have advice on where to go from here? Are there resources available for healthcare or other aid via Social Security or some other type of program? I have very little help or understanding from my family and those around me. They seem to believe that I should "just recover" by now. I really need some help so I can try to make the best out of my altered life and I don't really know where to begin.
Comments
Re: Re: Epilepsy as a result of major head trauma
Submitted by heatherlea on Sat, 2006-06-24 - 20:04
I've been diagnosed as having epilepsy. It was actually within the first year after my accident. My seizures vary from often to only maybe 5 or 6 a year. I know I have temporal lobe damage that was picked up during some of my MRIs. My old neurologist explained it was like a scar on my brain.
Thank you for the information.
Re: Epilepsy as a result of major head trauma
Submitted by spiz on Sat, 2006-06-24 - 20:46
Heatherlea,
I'm so sorry to hear of your injuries and the resulting seizures. I know that had to be a difficult thing to have to adjust to. I wish you the best :)
Here are some links that may help.
Disability Programs:
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/
Electronic Booklets (for disability)
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html
Saving Money On Rx Medications
http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1063671365.html
Finances and Insurance
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/team_financial.html
Social Workers and Counselors
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/team_socialworkers.html
Support Groups In Your Area
http://epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutus/AffiliateLookup.cfm
Hope you can find something in these that can help you. Take care!
-Spiz
Re: Epilepsy as a result of major head trauma
Submitted by angel_lts on Sat, 2006-06-24 - 13:42
There are many of us who have epilepsy who have refractory seizures. It just means you cant get help with medication. Same here, but I am on meds. Things maybe hard right now, but when you get adjusted and learn more, you will be able to handle epilepsy even more. to epilepsyfoundation.org to help with some info. Also go to www.epilepsy.com You said you are not treated for epilepsy. Do you have alot of seizures? But you do have epilepsy? How long after your injury did you start having seizures? There is SSI and Social Security to help with support? I have info in my group and other approaches for epilepsy too. Take care Lisa http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/