Perhaps it's time to consider a career change

I'm 25 and I'v been a hairstylist for 3 years. I also took the trade school route and I have really enjoyed my job. I was just diagnosed a month ago with E. At the same time I was in the middle of a cross-country move. Now I'm trying to get settled and trying to get medication worked out with my neuro. I am waiting on my cosmetology license to transfer and it has given me time to think. As a stylist, working with really strong chemicals and sharp objects is the daily norm. Most of the procedures are time sensitive and require strong coordination skills. What if I leave bleach on someone's hair too long? I could melt the hair and burn the scalp. My daytime seizures are only simple-partial, but what if I had one that generalized while I had really sharp scissors really close to someone's head? That's a scary thought! Right now I'm on Keppra and I don't feel like my brain is functioning properly. It doesn't seem to be controlling my seizures either and my Dr want's to switch me soon. Trying out all these drugs and trying to do hair? I don't think the two will mix. I just realized this today, then I saw your comment. Would a career change be in your best interest? I can't answer that question for you. I can share that I have made the choice to take a break from my career until I feel certain I'm able to return to it safely. I put so much work into learning that trade and building my skills. It's heartbreaking to leave it all behind. I don't know where I'll go apply now. Wherever it is will take a lot of adjusting to, and probably a pay-cut also. Thanks for your post, it's nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. I hope you find your way through this, keep me posted.

That's an issue that I've had to think about as well. Not so much for the safety of others but for myself. I work in food prep. Between the many sharp knives, the ovens and the hot oil comes the worry that if I collapsed into a seizure while around those things, esp. the ovens or hot oil, or while walking with a knife it wouldn't be an exaggeration to think I could kill myself, or if I fell into someone else, hurt them. I had to think seriously about that when I took this job. My conclusion is that I generally have enough of a warning to drop anything I'm holding, and usually although not always, to get down. So now I just make sure to pay attention to how I'm feeling and be on the look out for auras. If I'm having a bad day then I call out or go home, I don't risk it. Sucks when my attendence is rated, but it's safer all the way around. Does the slow processing you're dealing with come from your medication? If so, is it something that your body and mind will adjust to so that it'll go away within a few months, or is it something you need to discuss with your doctor to adjust the dose or medication altogether? You're working with your friend right? Since this is his company, perhaps you should sit down and talk with him. Get his impression of how he feels you're doing with your work, and if you trust him enough, discuss honestly what's going on with your seizures and leave the decision, and potential liability, in his hands. Good luck. Your situation is trickier because you hold the lives of others in your hands by dealing with their cars. Can you find a way to counter the memory loss by keeping detailed checklists or having someone else double check things? It would probably be a pain and mean extra work but in the long run it might make a difference.

As somebody who has had to make some major career changes during his life a few times, I can tell you that it is not easy. I can also offer this to you. If this is a fast paced high end shop where you are expected to turn out quite a bit then maybe consider a service writers job. If not there then at another employer, as someone who has automotive experience I can tell you that it is hard to find good people to also put behind the counter as well. Good Luck