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I'm 15 with petit mal, will it go away?

Wed, 08/03/2011 - 14:25

Okay, I'm 15 with peit mal seizures aka absence seizures. And I'm at the point where I'm sick of them, I want them out of my head forever! I'm going to be 16 in Feburary and I want to drive but can't if I'm uncousious for 2 seconds or 3 seconds. And it's truly annoying.

When I was 5 my brother noticed them once in awhile, at age 8 it got worse. My mom didn't tell the doctor till grade 8 which I told her in Grade 7 to mention it :/ and now I'm 15 and on medication, it's clobazim or whatever. And they still haven't totally gone away. This morning I had one but my hand still moved my hair away from my ear. Is me having movements them going away?

PLEASE HELP ME! Just tell me if they'll go away or not...

Comments

Re: I'm 15 with petit mal, will it go away?

Submitted by annaw on Wed, 2011-08-03 - 17:45
Hi, I total understand where you are coming from. I started getting absences when I was a bit younger than that but everyone used to think I was just ignoring them. I was only diagnosed with Epilepsy when I was around 15. Just make sure you are going to a good neurologist and you will have to try out different meds probably. Everyone is different. Don't let it get in your way or define who you are. I went on and went to university and got a job. I'm now married. I'm 30 by the way now but my husband is very good as my epilepsy still is a problem but I know plenty of people who controlled it with meds. I know the driving thing is a pain but you're still young, have fun with your friends. Make sure you tell your friends so they understand. I know its hard but keep your chin up. I hope they get the meds right for you. Best of luck.

Re: I'm 15 with petit mal, will it go away?

Submitted by I-hate-my-epilepsy1001 on Thu, 2011-08-04 - 13:42

My family knows I have it. See I had it at 8 but wasn't disgonised so I had no meds, I've also seen online if you leave it for years and years petit mal can go to grand mal. So it can get worse. I'm just a bit jealous because my brother has grand mal and is 16 and can drive, he hasn't had one since I was in grade 5 and I'm going to grade 10 now. So it's been 5 years. I'm from Canada so I need to wait and year and I'm going for an EEG this month...so hopefully something is mentioned. My friends have known for almost 2 years what they actually were. My parents thought it was selective hearing, I told my mom to mention it to our regular doctor in grade 6 and 7 and she's like "no, no." I will never forget that because if it was captured then it could be gone now and I could drive at 16. I was on Vlaporic acid and they went away right away (I actually felt like a normal teenager) but I had 2 side effects. So now I'm on clobazim and they're still not gone so hopefully I get either a high dose or a different medication.

My family knows I have it. See I had it at 8 but wasn't disgonised so I had no meds, I've also seen online if you leave it for years and years petit mal can go to grand mal. So it can get worse. I'm just a bit jealous because my brother has grand mal and is 16 and can drive, he hasn't had one since I was in grade 5 and I'm going to grade 10 now. So it's been 5 years. I'm from Canada so I need to wait and year and I'm going for an EEG this month...so hopefully something is mentioned. My friends have known for almost 2 years what they actually were. My parents thought it was selective hearing, I told my mom to mention it to our regular doctor in grade 6 and 7 and she's like "no, no." I will never forget that because if it was captured then it could be gone now and I could drive at 16. I was on Vlaporic acid and they went away right away (I actually felt like a normal teenager) but I had 2 side effects. So now I'm on clobazim and they're still not gone so hopefully I get either a high dose or a different medication.

Re: I'm 15 with petit mal, will it go away?

Submitted by annaw on Fri, 2011-08-05 - 10:32
Your doctors will just have to try with your medications for awhile increasing them etc and trying different ones. I know its hard but you will have to have a bit of patience. And you are a normal teenager, driving isnt everything. You said you arent even at the driving age yet so you never know they might sort out your meds by the time you get a bit older. Keep positive, believe me I know its hard but you have to. Concentrate on your school and all your other normal stuff with your friends. Have fun. I know you are feeling annoyed now but dont worry you are still in control. You can let this take over as much of your life as you want it to. The key is not to. You have to keep picking yourself up and moving on. Best of luck with everything. I really hope you get sorted.

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