New to epilepsy.

First of all hello Emi and welcome. I am James, I am older and only got diagnosed recently. I have had about the same amount of seizures as you most of which were absent seizures and 2 tonic clonic. Anyhow I know how you feel because even though I am older I always have others (loved ones and friends) that almost seem to be more like babysitters even to me. Just remember they only do it cause they love you, with that being said it does get old. Remember also that just as you don't know anyone who has epilepsy same holds true with me (it runs in my dads side of the fam but I don't communicate with them) and because so many people don't have it and its not like a normal thing such as maybe diabetes or what not its scarier then other diseases because of the violent shaking or the blank look on our faces during the seizure. They are hard to watch and it scares everyone around you. This is something i will most likely deal with for the rest of my life and I'm not sure about yours. but either way we need to make the best of it and just explain to people that during the seizure I don't feel anything even though it might look painful there are times that you wake up in pain due to pulled muscles, migraines, thrown out arms or knees etc but for the most part it is just an uncomfortable confusion and sometimes discomfort in the muscles and tired. Just stay strong and let everyone know you wont let it win you and you will win it. If you do have to live with it forever (I hope not) then let it be part of your life and make the best out of it (easier said then done I know) but don't let it when and also remember you are not alone and we are all here for each other and if you ever need someone to talk to or have questions come here its a great community I have meet tons of GREAT People here that have the same problems as me... Thanks for posting and take care!!

Hi Emi, my name is Teri. Ive had grand mal seizures for about 12 years now. I was about 18 when i was diagnosed and im 30 now. I know it can be scary. When i was your age i had no concern for my life and participated in a lot of really unhealthy habits. Bottom line is that you are the only one that had do deal with yourself every second for the rest of your life. I learned the hard way that being pro-active in my health was the best way to go. I take my meds, I take vitamins, I try to exercise as much as i can and im really trying to focus on what foods i eat too. I dont know about you, but ive had a lot of emotional problems throughout my life as well... I think that also comes along with being a woman and going through our hormonal changes each month. Ive noticed that the better i take care of myself the better my emotional state is. Stay positive... i look back now and can recognize my condition as a sort of blessing. A lot of my childhood friends went down really negative paths in there lives. Whether its fair or not, i felt i was forced to take care of myself... it was just easier that way than dealing with all of the seizures and emotional probs. If i never had epilepsy i dont doubt that i would be in a really negative place now. Instead for the first time in my life i actually enjoy being awake more than i want to sleep. Take care girl.