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How does stress affect you?

Fri, 09/14/2007 - 23:04
Hi everyone. I'm curious how stress affects you and your seizures? There is still so much I don't understand about seizures, and what is and what isn't a seizure. I have always been a high-stress personality. Sine childhood I've been told I need to learn how to deal with stress for health reasons but have never had much luck. Since being diagnosed with seizures I have really made a point of 'trying' to relax and remain as 'stress-free' as possible. If you knew me, you'd know this is a major accomplishment! But, I've been doing much better. Well, today that all came crashing down. I woke up to some very aggravating news this morning via email. The more I thought about it, the more I got really upset, stressed, and even angry, which isn't like me. I am always slow to anger, but today was the exception. I rapidly got a really bad headache. I finally got into work and found my headache was increasing. To make matters worse, it was a fast-paced morning at work. The headache kind of came and went throughout the morning. I then got that really bad tingling sensation on the left side of my head that just wouldn't stop. While taking a letter from my boss I started having to struggle to listen to him, which made me even more frustrated and continued to make it harder to concentrate. After finishing the letter I just put my head in my hands and rested for about 2 minutes and took some deep breathes. At that point I was feeling really light headed. After 15-20 minutes I started feeling a little better again. Soon it was the end of my work day so my boss drove me home. I tried not to let my boss know how badly I was feeling, but after 10 years of working for him, he knew I wasn't feeling well and even teased me about it to try and make me feel better and lighten the mood. After he dropped me off I went inside, made sure to eat lunch, and then laid down on the couch to sleep it off for the remainder of the afternoon until my daughter got home from school. I felt better when I woke up, but the tingling sensation is still there although the headache has really faded. After this long explanation, I guess what I want to know is does stress really affect seizures? Would what I described be considered a partial seizure? I never had these tingling sensations until after I had the gran mal seizure 4 months ago. I am worried because I have a really busy weekend ahead and now I am not feeling at my best at all. Unfortunately, I am committed to a project that I absolutely cannot get out of-- and I am in charge of it. Now I am scared the stress of the weekend will make something happen-- which is a vicious circle, because I know that is only putting more stress on me. Can anyone give me any input on their experiences? Thanks in advance! ~ Believe

Comments

Re: How does stress affect you?

Submitted by banffgirl on Sat, 2007-09-15 - 00:42
stress is a big trigger, so is dehydratun, low blood suger, heat, noise, illness etc. my epi spec put me diazapam or brand name valum just 5mg 2-3 tx a day. the only dose i have to take is at bedtime to slow my brainwavess down to keep nocturnal tcs away we hope, so far its realy cut themin half. i only use a day dose if i am going to be in a tressfull stitutun. hopr this heps, i am cant keep my eyed open, nite,vqanffgiirl

Re: Re: How does stress affect you?

Submitted by Believe on Sat, 2007-09-15 - 10:00
Can you tell me anything about the tingling? Is it a form of a seizure, and if so, do you know what kind? Thanks for your reply. I hope you got a great night's sleep. ~ Believe

Re: Re: Re: How does stress affect you?

Submitted by Believe on Sat, 2007-09-15 - 11:27
Okay, I answered my own question. I went back and re-read the Basics:101 for the umpteenth time and I think it finally settled into my brain. I think I was experiencing a simple partial (or early warning sign), which tells me I really need to learn to relax.

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