Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Struggling / Don't know what to do

Mon, 07/20/2015 - 19:52

Hi everyone,

I have been on here a couple of times.  But will refresh everyone's memory.   I have had seizures almost my whole life.  40 years.   Currently take Keppra (3000 mg) & dilantin capsules (300 mg) each day.   Will be weaning off the dilantin and moving to taking some Lamictal.  

 

The last 8 years I have been on Keppra and dilantin have been a bit of a wreck.   Lost several jobs.    Which I believe are because of side effects of these medications.   Anxiety, etc.   My life before that with my jobs never had issues.  

Hoping that changing meds will help.  

I have never been able to drive.   WHICH SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Most things in today's society seem to look at things wrong.   Say I don't have a car.   First question:  Why don't you have a car?    Is it anybody's business.   Heck no!!!

But I am one that never lies and will always tell everyone the truth.  So I will mention to anyone that asks, that I have epilepsy and cannot drive because of it.  

Went through a mess when I was in high school.   Oh lets see, everyone was going through drivers ed.  My brother , sister.   Did I get too.  NOOOOOOOOOOO

 

Kids when they are younger are cruel.   I developed pretty early (probably because of my epilepsy) and started having good understanding for anyone going through tough times and have always been compassionate.  

Lets see:   does anyone every ask about my epilepsy.   Noooooooooooo   .   I don't think anyone ever cares.   They are either too busy with there own stuff, or just don't want to hear hard times or what not.  

I am 46 and currently live with my girlfriend, who just told me that she would prefer if i had a stay at home job.   I don't think she wants to worry about driving or taking me other places.  But that just makes me feel like nothing.   I want things and want to reach for the stars.  But in the past know how unobtainable most things have been (which is why I am pretty complacent with most things and don’t even strive probably). 

Not being able to get out and do things when I want to does not feel good.  Its restriction and always feels like I am being told what to do as well.  

The seizures I have are mostly simple complex partials and sometimes absent ones.   The amount of time I have them is very minimal.  Which can be maybe 1 every three weeks or so.   So that stuff pretty much goes unnoticed (From anyone(family, friends or what not). 

 

I am not looking for a quick fix…It would just be nice to hear others being compassionate at times.  

Any of us having seizures / epilepsy know that it can be the unexpected.   So I am always on edge mostly.    I don’t know what else to say right now.  

Hi everyone,

I have been on here a couple of times.  But will refresh everyone's memory.   I have had seizures almost my whole life.  40 years.   Currently take Keppra (3000 mg) & dilantin capsules (300 mg) each day.   Will be weaning off the dilantin and moving to taking some Lamictal.  

 

The last 8 years I have been on Keppra and dilantin have been a bit of a wreck.   Lost several jobs.    Which I believe are because of side effects of these medications.   Anxiety, etc.   My life before that with my jobs never had issues.  

Hoping that changing meds will help.  

I have never been able to drive.   WHICH SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Most things in today's society seem to look at things wrong.   Say I don't have a car.   First question:  Why don't you have a car?    Is it anybody's business.   Heck no!!!

But I am one that never lies and will always tell everyone the truth.  So I will mention to anyone that asks, that I have epilepsy and cannot drive because of it.  

Went through a mess when I was in high school.   Oh lets see, everyone was going through drivers ed.  My brother , sister.   Did I get too.  NOOOOOOOOOOO

 

Kids when they are younger are cruel.   I developed pretty early (probably because of my epilepsy) and started having good understanding for anyone going through tough times and have always been compassionate.  

Lets see:   does anyone every ask about my epilepsy.   Noooooooooooo   .   I don't think anyone ever cares.   They are either too busy with there own stuff, or just don't want to hear hard times or what not.  

I am 46 and currently live with my girlfriend, who just told me that she would prefer if i had a stay at home job.   I don't think she wants to worry about driving or taking me other places.  But that just makes me feel like nothing.   I want things and want to reach for the stars.  But in the past know how unobtainable most things have been (which is why I am pretty complacent with most things and don’t even strive probably). 

Not being able to get out and do things when I want to does not feel good.  Its restriction and always feels like I am being told what to do as well.  

The seizures I have are mostly simple complex partials and sometimes absent ones.   The amount of time I have them is very minimal.  Which can be maybe 1 every three weeks or so.   So that stuff pretty much goes unnoticed (From anyone(family, friends or what not). 

 

I am not looking for a quick fix…It would just be nice to hear others being compassionate at times.  

Any of us having seizures / epilepsy know that it can be the unexpected.   So I am always on edge mostly.    I don’t know what else to say right now.  

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.