TLE Newbie! *WAVES MADLY*

Hey guys! Stumbled across this site and have been mooching around taking it all in. I love the community forum - everyone seems so friendly. So I thought I would jump on in and say hello. My name is Rachael and I'm from the U.K. I'm 24 years old and I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 15, although as we know now, I had been having Simple Partial Seizures since I was about four years old. My mother took me to the doctor numerous times, and was simply told I was attention seeking! As with many of you, I was first diagnosed when I had my first TCS. Since then, I have had maybe 6 or 7 more TCS, frequent SPS, and a fair number of CPS, not all of which lead to TCS, thankfully. I suppose my reason for posting right now, is because lately I've had a lot of stress, very little sleep, and have been very premenstrual, all of which have contributed to a higher instance of SMS than usual. I suppose I should also point out that I am not on medication currently, by choice. The reason for this is that when I was first diagnosed, I was put on Sodium Valproate, which was upped in dose with each TCS until I was on the maximum dose (and taking 12 tablets a day!). The side effects were intolerable to me, and didn't stop the TCS (which back then were the only type I was aware of). However, knowing now what I know, I am wondering if I should go back to my doc and demand to be seen by someone more specialized, and be put on a new medication. The knowledge that there is apparently a link with increased memory loss (mine is bad enough as it is through my seizures) if one doesn't take medication to control SPS and CPS is spurring me on to perhaps do this. All input welcome, and I'm happy to meet you all. :D