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What's wrong with me, please help

Wed, 01/10/2007 - 18:12
I'm a guy, and I'm 23 years old. I'm one of those guys that isn't scared of much, and I do alot to prove it all the time. Mostly stupid things like skydiving and driving too fast. Well, that was until my stepbrother started having seizures. At first I just heard about them, but in the last month I've witnessed two of them and have assisted him during his tonic-clonic seizures. First of all, it kills me to watch him going through that and I feel really bad for him. Powerless to help. I've tried doing as much research as possible and I'm not really getting anywhere. I know my stepbrother has done drugs, and may still do them. I say this because I'm just trying to be honest. I'm afraid that that's what may have caused him to start having the seizures. And it scares me. Why, you ask? I lived in Myrtle Beach, SC for three months, and worked in a stripclub as a barback. I had alot of fun while I was there, which was just this year, but I also got irresponsible. I did cocaine and ecstasy, and drank alot. I never thought before that I did enough to hurt myself, but that was before I watched my stepbrother go through his seizures. Now I'm truely scared. I dont touch drugs, or have anything to do with them. After my DUI last week I dont drink. I can't sleep since I stopped drinking, and when I lay awake at night I wonder when I'm gonna start seizing, and if I can stop it. I get this feeling over my whole body that I cant really explain. It's like a rush of adrenaline, but different. Like my body is preparing for something. I lie awake afraid to sleep because dont want to drift into the seizures like my stepbrother does. I had a dream one night that I was having a seizure, and I couldn't breath, and I couldn't move, and I couldn't scream. It scares me to death. Now, today I got the same feeling as I was laying on the couch watching tv. It's like a rush of terror and anxiety that I can only stop by getting up, thinking of something else, breathing, and drinking a glass of water. It feels like it's going to overwhelm me. The only time I feel like this is when I'm relaxed and sleepy and thinking about it. Like right before I go to sleep. I know this is kind of selfish to ask for help when it's really my stepbrother that needs help...but do you think this might be the beginning of seizures, or do you think it's a psychiatric problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated, I am losing alot of sleep....and it's affecting me during the day.

Comments

Re: What's wrong with me, please help

Submitted by JeanMarie on Wed, 2007-01-10 - 20:47
Wow that sounds like a lot of fear! I would guess that you are experiencing problems with drug/alcohol withdrawal not seizures. If you are asking for ideas I would go to counseling/AA and find out how other people have dealt with this. If you do have a seizure it is not the worst thing that can happen to someone and then you'll know. It is good to be scared straight I guess. Good luck with your recovery.

Re: Re: What's wrong with me, please help

Submitted by slhmurphy on Wed, 2007-01-10 - 21:30
I would also say that working with a counselor might help. I think you might be having panic attacks, and, considering what you and your bro have been through, this is not surprising. Perhaps using and anti-anxiety med while you work through your issues/fears with a trained counselor or psychologist might help. Good luck to you. Sam

Re: What's wrong with me, please help

Submitted by gwen48 on Mon, 2007-01-15 - 19:59
The mind is powerful, and a terrible thing to waste. Withdrawal can cause anxiety, panic attacks and nightmares. Stay away from the D&A, and you can be on your way to good mental health. Just because your brother has seizures does not mean you will too. Oh and stay away from the tit bars, they are a breeding ground for the very behavors you were locked into and why you are where you are at. Good luck! Gwen

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