Colleague triggers my seizures

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Hi all, I was diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago. I have complex partial seizures which happen a few times each month. I've been tracking this for the past four years but still see no real pattern- though seems to be triggered by lack is sleep, hormones, stress- the usual. The seizures last a minute or two and range from a mild to intense deja vu feeling. When it happens, I usually take a clonazepam to calm the after affects of the seizure: being very sad, disorientated, confused and frustrated. The reason for my post: There is ONE very odd consistent trigger: it's when I have 1:1 phone discussions with a colleague from work. It happens everytime. By now, I've learned to have a clonazepam ready on the table before the call - so if I do have a seizure, I can take the pill to refocus my thoughts in the conversation. It's completely odd (and a bit laughable). I'm not sure if it's his tone of voice, pitch of voice, the cadence or way he speaks - repeating his phrases at very slow pace. Or if it's related to previous stressful conversations with him. I prefer to never speak with him if possible and/or just correspond in emails. Unfortunately he manages all the projects that come through our design team, so it's inevitable I'll need to talk with him. Has anyone heard of such a thing? Recommendations how to handle this? Do I tell this person or any other colleagues about it (no one knows about my E) Do I request an "accommodation" at work that requires we only communicate through email. Do I need to look for a different job!? Thanks for your attention!

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When you say you looked at

Submitted by just_joe on Fri, 2016-10-21 - 10:26

When you say you looked at everything to rule out the triggers. Did you rule all the triggers out> You see there are many different triggers associatiated with epilepsy that ar not on th list. I know I didn;t get to my britherrs wedding because I had a seizure and in it I tilted a pan of lasagna sauce pouring in on ly thigh. I noe have smaller scares in that leg. So what if it is 37 years later. Meaning triggers are known and listed are the main triggers. Have you used instraments to check the pitch, tone and cadance? You know that taking a medication will stop th seizure and keep you focused. I have one with me and after a seizure I take one.Yes people wonder if they might be connected. Is the timing on those calls the same time each time you get a call? The way you look at the calls also has ways to affdt the cal. Do you go intp a tizzybecause it might cause a seizure? Or do you go into it as a call that has information needed for the next part of the project?Do I tell this person or any other colleagues about it (no one knows about my E) <<<<< What would those arround you do if you had one while working? Do they knoe what to do to protect you during one? Do they know about your rescue medication? All of these things need to be looked at seriously. Otherwise they will be calling 911 and you get a ice trip to the ER which generally costs you money. (been there done that) Companies are to call 911 so yes they get there. I deny their taking me to the ER. They do know I know what is needed to e done. They know I will either be going back to work shortly or home for mor rest.Do I request an "accommodation" at work that requires we only communicate through email. <<<<aviodance may not be able to be done. However having someone else there might help especially if they are on the same project and can add input.Do I need to look for a different job!? That is a choice that yo will need to look at.. However you have this oneand it is a payinj and the jobs market is not goodI hope this helpsJoe

When you say you looked at everything to rule out the triggers. Did you rule all the triggers out> You see there are many different triggers associatiated with epilepsy that ar not on th list. I know I didn;t get to my britherrs wedding because I had a seizure and in it I tilted a pan of lasagna sauce pouring in on ly thigh. I noe have smaller scares in that leg. So what if it is 37 years later. Meaning triggers are known and listed are the main triggers. Have you used instraments to check the pitch, tone and cadance? You know that taking a medication will stop th seizure and keep you focused. I have one with me and after a seizure I take one.Yes people wonder if they might be connected. Is the timing on those calls the same time each time you get a call? The way you look at the calls also has ways to affdt the cal. Do you go intp a tizzybecause it might cause a seizure? Or do you go into it as a call that has information needed for the next part of the project?Do I tell this person or any other colleagues about it (no one knows about my E)  <<<<< What would those arround you do if you had one while working? Do they knoe what to do to protect you during one? Do they know about your rescue medication? All of these things need to be looked at seriously. Otherwise they will be calling 911 and you get a ice trip to the ER which generally costs you money. (been there done that) Companies are to call 911 so yes they get there. I deny their taking me to the ER. They do know I know what is needed to e done. They know I will either be going back to work shortly or home for mor rest.Do I request an "accommodation" at work that requires we only communicate through email. <<<<aviodance may not be able to be done. However having someone else there might help especially if they are on the same project and can add input.Do I need to look for a different job!? That is a choice that yo will need to look  at.. However you have this oneand it is a payinj and the jobs market is not goodI hope this helpsJoe

When you say you looked at everything to rule out the triggers. Did you rule all the triggers out> You see there are many different triggers associatiated with epilepsy that ar not on th list. I know I didn;t get to my britherrs wedding because I had a seizure and in it I tilted a pan of lasagna sauce pouring in on ly thigh. I noe have smaller scares in that leg. So what if it is 37 years later. Meaning triggers are known and listed are the main triggers. Have you used instraments to check the pitch, tone and cadance? You know that taking a medication will stop th seizure and keep you focused. I have one with me and after a seizure I take one.Yes people wonder if they might be connected. Is the timing on those calls the same time each time you get a call? The way you look at the calls also has ways to affdt the cal. Do you go intp a tizzybecause it might cause a seizure? Or do you go into it as a call that has information needed for the next part of the project?Do I tell this person or any other colleagues about it (no one knows about my E) <<<<< What would those arround you do if you had one while working? Do they knoe what to do to protect you during one? Do they know about your rescue medication? All of these things need to be looked at seriously. Otherwise they will be calling 911 and you get a ice trip to the ER which generally costs you money. (been there done that) Companies are to call 911 so yes they get there. I deny their taking me to the ER. They do know I know what is needed to e done. They know I will either be going back to work shortly or home for mor rest.Do I request an "accommodation" at work that requires we only communicate through email. <<<<aviodance may not be able to be done. However having someone else there might help especially if they are on the same project and can add input.Do I need to look for a different job!? That is a choice that yo will need to look at.. However you have this oneand it is a payinj and the jobs market is not goodI hope this helpsJoe

Colleague triggers my seizures

Comments

When you say you looked at

Submitted by just_joe on Fri, 2016-10-21 - 10:26

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