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Newly Diagnosed- College Student
Mon, 05/18/2015 - 12:26I was diagnosed with complex partial seizures last week. I am a 20 year old female battling epilepsy and college. I've been having seizures for about 3 years, they used to be about once a year. Since December of 2014, I have been having 1-2 severely dabilitating seizures a month and smaller seizures all throughout the day, usually about 7 per day. However, I was not diagnosed until just recently. I started taking some anticonvulsant medicine to help. I have severe memory loss due to these seizures.
As I said, I am a college student. I am a singer studing music education. I am so excited to be a music teacher! Due to the memory loss, I am having so much trouble with school. Memory is a big part of what I do, with memorizing music and pitches. Its very hard to do with my memory loss. I am often unable to attend clas because I'm in a post-seizure slumber, or awful headache after. I know that I want to do this and I want to be a music teacher. I will do what ever I need to, even if it takes me 6 years to get me degree.
Is there anything I can do to help with the memory loss? Are there any other college students that can help or give any advise? I'm desperate at this point. Any help or stories would be so helpful! I've never talked to anyone else with epilepsy and as I said, I'm new to this so I'd appeciate it greatly.
weoclmeAll it takes to
Submitted by just_joe on Mon, 2015-05-18 - 22:24
weoclmeAll it takes to diagnose epilepsy is 2 seizures. So 3 years ago you had epilepsy. The type of seizures are complex partial. But then I haven't read all the stuff they have come out with in the last 30 years,Some of your memory lose is due to your seizures. I also know that some comes back. Which memory loss are you talking about? Short term ot long term?I had seizures when I was in jr and high school and my memory was fine. In college I took my courses and was doing well. Until I would up in the hospital with status epilepticus. It started about 4 days before my finals. I was in the hospital for almost 2 months. I wasn't able to take my finals. It wasn't the professors but the Dean that wouldn't let me. Back then there was no disability act so I was screwed. I had paid for the courses before ever seting foot in the classroom. I have had many seizurs and my memory is still fine be it short term or long term. I may not remember something the day I have a seizure but the next day I do remember everything I need to. It does take time to learn how to set things up so your memory will work like you want or need it to.The other people that responded to your post have left you information which can be very helpful. Good luck