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Absence seizures
Fri, 10/22/2010 - 08:05Comments
Re: Absence seizures
Submitted by trentonbest on Tue, 2010-10-26 - 12:11
It was just the Bladder control part that I didn't get. Going to my beloved appointment today! Woo-hoo! Now maybe this will help get this situation under control. Although, I do doubt that it will. Topamax usually helps a lot of people in cases like mine, but it didn't help at all with me! I know people react differently than others, but this just cause me to have more doubt.
It was just the Bladder control part that I didn't get. Going to my beloved appointment today! Woo-hoo! Now maybe this will help get this situation under control. Although, I do doubt that it will. Topamax usually helps a lot of people in cases like mine, but it didn't help at all with me! I know people react differently than others, but this just cause me to have more doubt.
Re: Absence seizures
Submitted by Spike. on Sun, 2010-10-24 - 14:02
Trentonbest, if you have been confused after a seizure (which are symptoms of postictal confusion), to you knowing you have had a seizure, those are symptoms that point more towards you having what are called Complex Partial Seizures. The primary advice I have for you right now, is for you to share with your doctor what you have experienced.
Bruce (I'm not a doctor, but instead, an epilepsy support group leader, epilepsy advocate, who has epilepsy.)
Trentonbest, if you have been confused after a seizure (which are symptoms of postictal confusion), to you knowing you have had a seizure, those are symptoms that point more towards you having what are called Complex Partial Seizures. The primary advice I have for you right now, is for you to share with your doctor what you have experienced.
Bruce (I'm not a doctor, but instead, an epilepsy support group leader, epilepsy advocate, who has epilepsy.)
Re: Absence seizures
Submitted by phylisfjohnson on Fri, 2010-10-22 - 08:28
No, it certainly sounds like more than absence seizures. Absence seizures are just when you zone out for a few seconds and then you're back...
Click on the orange box to the left where it says "All About Epilepsy Seizures." There's a drop down menu there that will give you tons of information.
Also, I would suggest you keep a daily seizure diary: noting your sleep patterns, what you eat, your activities for the day (including emotional upsets), how you feel before a seizure (triggers, auras?), during a seizure, after and the duration of it. That might give your doc a better idea of what you're going through.
As for your doc visit itself, here are my personal rules of thumb:
Be prepared
Bring your seizure diary with you, along a family member or friend to help describe your seizures or to take notes during visits to your doctor. They can offer support and a second pair of ears. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during your appointment. Plus, they may remember something that you missed or forgot. And a second set of ears along with someone else there taking notes, can be both comforting and invaluable after your visit.
And let your doc know how you’re responding to your current medications. Be sure to share your concerns about any side effects, drug reactions, behavior changes, physical changes, trouble sleeping, loss of memory, or even brain fog. Accurate reporting will help you and your doctor make decisions together about a treatment plan that works for you. There are many good anti-seizure meds out there and if you don’t tolerate one, you and your doctor can try another to see if it works better.
Come armed with questions
Preparing a list of questions in advance will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. List your questions and the doctor’s answers from most important to least important in case time runs out.
During your appointment, you may feel overwhelmed by the information or the doctor may be using medical mumbo jumbo terminology you don’t understand. He may even be going too fast. If this happens, you need to let the doctor know so that he can slow down, rephrase or even write notes.
Be persistent in asking your questions until you fully understand the explanation. If you don’t understand a diagnosis or treatment, ask more questions — take more notes.
Make sure you understand the script and whether name brand or generic will make a difference to your condition. And make sure you know exactly what the doctor wants you to do before you leave the office.
Ask about follow-up and get a contact number so if you happen to think of more questions, or forgot something the doctor told you, you can call the office immediately and request the information.
And if the doctor gives you the bum’s rush, or doesn’t respond to your questions, don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion or else find another doctor who will work with you and care.
Good luck! Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com
No, it certainly sounds like more than absence seizures. Absence seizures are just when you zone out for a few seconds and then you're back...
Click on the orange box to the left where it says "All About Epilepsy Seizures." There's a drop down menu there that will give you tons of information.
Also, I would suggest you keep a daily seizure diary: noting your sleep patterns, what you eat, your activities for the day (including emotional upsets), how you feel before a seizure (triggers, auras?), during a seizure, after and the duration of it. That might give your doc a better idea of what you're going through.
As for your doc visit itself, here are my personal rules of thumb:
Be prepared
Bring your seizure diary with you, along a family member or friend to help describe your seizures or to take notes during visits to your doctor. They can offer support and a second pair of ears. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided during your appointment. Plus, they may remember something that you missed or forgot. And a second set of ears along with someone else there taking notes, can be both comforting and invaluable after your visit.
And let your doc know how you’re responding to your current medications. Be sure to share your concerns about any side effects, drug reactions, behavior changes, physical changes, trouble sleeping, loss of memory, or even brain fog. Accurate reporting will help you and your doctor make decisions together about a treatment plan that works for you. There are many good anti-seizure meds out there and if you don’t tolerate one, you and your doctor can try another to see if it works better.
Come armed with questions
Preparing a list of questions in advance will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. List your questions and the doctor’s answers from most important to least important in case time runs out.
During your appointment, you may feel overwhelmed by the information or the doctor may be using medical mumbo jumbo terminology you don’t understand. He may even be going too fast. If this happens, you need to let the doctor know so that he can slow down, rephrase or even write notes.
Be persistent in asking your questions until you fully understand the explanation. If you don’t understand a diagnosis or treatment, ask more questions — take more notes.
Make sure you understand the script and whether name brand or generic will make a difference to your condition. And make sure you know exactly what the doctor wants you to do before you leave the office.
Ask about follow-up and get a contact number so if you happen to think of more questions, or forgot something the doctor told you, you can call the office immediately and request the information.
And if the doctor gives you the bum’s rush, or doesn’t respond to your questions, don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion or else find another doctor who will work with you and care.
Good luck! Phylis Feiner Johnson www.epilepsytalk.com