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new and scared-questions
Mon, 06/12/2006 - 12:06Topic: New to Epilepsy.com
hi there. I am 35 and just had a series of grand mal seizures last Sunday 4-5 of them the last of which I stopped breathing on and turned blue. luckily I was in the ER at the time and they gave me something in my IV to pull me out. I have no idea what is going on and why this is happening... at this age as well. They said the MRI, CT, and EEG came back normal... what could this be? do I have epilepsy? I am on Keppra now and unable to drive. I am so confused and scared of it happening again, especially w/ my 5 year old home alone w/ me to see it. any advice would be appreciated as I am a wreck about this. I also bit my bottom lip during the seizures and still after a week have no feeling in it - is this normal? thanks in advance for any help or advice
I remember nothing about any of them - my hubby saw them all and is completely freaked out about it and why it has started to happen. thanks
shari
Comments
Re: Re: new and scared-questions
Submitted by Cathy_C on Tue, 2006-06-13 - 07:06
Hi Shari,
Well, I know exactly where your coming from. I was diagnosed with the seizures at age 30, but I kept driving for years til I gave it up. I had three young children and a husband (now ex) that didn't care if I drove or not. He would rather me walk to the store 2miles away for milk rather then him missing a football game.
My hubby now saw my first one before we married and he looked at me and said he was in for the long haul, that me having seizures wasn't going to scare him off and he has been my best friend through it. Your husband will get feeling easier about this and you will also. It will take you time to adjust, but just get your mind set that you have epilepsy BUT the epilepsy doesn't have you. You can still live a fairly normal life if your husband is a supportive man. I wasn't able to work for years, now I work 2 to 3 days a week with my husband, and am now seeing a new doctor who is screening me for Brain surgery. It will take the doctor time to see exactly the type of seizures you are having and where they are coming from, but please don't get discouraged. That is the worse thing you can do and will bring more seizures on. Live your life to the fullest and stay focused on you and your family pulling together to overcome it. I say "two heads are better then one, even if one has epilepsy". We can work through all things. There is always tomorrow to finish up what we didn't get done the day before, so don't try to be wonder woman and over work yourself. It isn't worth it. My hugzzzz go out to
you and your family. Keep your chin up and a smile on your face and a good attitude and let me know how things are going.
Have a great day and God Bless you!!!!!
Cathy
Re: Re: Re: new and scared-questions
Submitted by reluctant to accept on Tue, 2006-06-13 - 10:09
Shari,
I feel your pain and fear. I am 41 and started having seizures in May 2005. There is no reason the Dr's can find. I still can not drive, we have not been able to find a medicine that will keep me from seizing. My seizures are better controlled now but not totally. I have never bit my lip but I bit my tongue and had a numb spot on it for a week or so.
What kind of work do you do? I am a nurse and have 4 kids but the youngest is 13 so I don't have the same worry of having a small child being present for a seizure. My 15 year old saw my first grandmal and was scared to death. I was sitting at the bar in the kitchen paying my bills. She heard me fall over and looked in and saw me seizing in the floor with blood around my head. She called my husband at work and then hid in her bedroom until he got home. It was very traumatic for her.
This web site has been very helpful for me just to write my thoughts and fears. I don't always get a response but it is thraputic none the less. I discovered it about a month or so ago. I still don't have the understanding and peace I am seeking but I am getting better. Hang in there and keep talking and keep asking questions!!
Re: new and scared-questions
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2006-06-12 - 14:55
www.epilepsy.com/101/101_epilepsy.html
www.epilepsy.com/101/101_diagnosis.html
www.epilepsy.com/101/101_treatment.html
www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/firstaid_seizures.html
Parents with seizures have other concerns as well. There is no one answer - don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and use help from family and friends. Here's a fact sheet from the Epilepsy Foundation that gives tips for parents with seizures. It's general info so, just like rest, talk to doctor about how it pertians to individual situations.
Making list of questions for doctor is key.. and see if there is a social worker or counselor to work with you and your family on how it's affecting you, places to get help, parenting tips.
www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Life/adults/women/weiparenting.cfm
Take care, Epi_helpHi Shari, Sorry to hear all that has happened! Glad you came by here though. You'll find lots of supportive people to talk to. Hope you have a chance to browse the epilespy.com main site. Take a look at the beginning info on underestanding seizures, diagnosis and treatment. And of course, first aid. Often times for people who have had new onset of seizures, there are more questions than answers - it may take time to find out just what is going on and what will give you the best control.
www.epilepsy.com/101/101_epilepsy.html
www.epilepsy.com/101/101_diagnosis.html
www.epilepsy.com/101/101_treatment.html
www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/firstaid_seizures.html
Parents with seizures have other concerns as well. There is no one answer - don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and use help from family and friends. Here's a fact sheet from the Epilepsy Foundation that gives tips for parents with seizures. It's general info so, just like rest, talk to doctor about how it pertians to individual situations.
Making list of questions for doctor is key.. and see if there is a social worker or counselor to work with you and your family on how it's affecting you, places to get help, parenting tips.
www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Life/adults/women/weiparenting.cfm
Take care, Epi_help