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has epilepsy altered your future?

Sun, 10/16/2005 - 02:26
Topic: Teen Zone
Hi! I just recently signed up to see how other people were dealing with epilepsy, and just see what I can learn. I was diagnosed with JME when I was 19 (I'm now 20). I had my first absence seizure when I was 15, really didn't think much of it. Then I started having myoclonic seizures when I was 16. The first few I had I thought were muscle spasms that I got from being dehydrated after tennis practice. I finally went to a neurologist when I was 17, and after I had an EEG he said that for the most part it was normal, but put me on trileptal to see if it would stop the "spasms". The medication made me feel horrible, and started effecting my school work. I then went to another neurologist to see what he had to say. He had another EEG done, and told me that I had mild epilepsy. I instantly started crying because since I was 3 I dreamed of being a pilot, and I had already been admitted into the University of North Dakota (they have one of the best flying programs in the nation). My neuro felt bad and said that he would word my file to where the flight medical board wouldn't object to letting me fly. Then the day before my high school graduation, I wasn't getting much sleep because I had to give up my room for family that had come in from out of town. Of course with the stress and lack of sleep...I have a grand mal. My parents decided to still let me go to North Dakota, and get a degree in some other field of aviation, such as business aviation. Well after going up there, with the late nights, partying, and cramming for tests, I had 5 grand mals in 5 months. At the end of my fall semster my parents made me come home to see if we could find a neurologist that could tell me what type of epilepsy I had, and put me on an accurate medication. So now I am back home in TX, and not allowed to go to a school too far, so that I can see my neurologist when needed. Now the question is.....what to do with my future. I truly enjoy biology, and thought about going into pre-med, but will medical school cause me to have seizures? And when I do have seizures my brain gets fried, and don't really recall the things I've learned in class. I honestly just don't know where to go from here. My future was all planned out, but has been completely been altered.

Comments

Re: has epilepsy altered your future?

Submitted by Hlayton1 on Thu, 2008-11-06 - 19:05

I am so glad I found you on here!

I am a 19 year old female and I have been going to school to become a pilot for the past year and a half. I started flying in January, passed the knowlege test, and was scheduled to take my practical this month. I started having seizures two weeks ago and everything went downhill from there and I have a hard time doing anything now. I am newly diagnosed with JME and completely devistated. My neurologist put me on Lamictal and I hate how it makes me feel. He also told me I absolutely could not fly. Everytime I see a Cessna I burst into tears.

I wish you and I the best of luck on finding new career choices. Post on anything new if possible, it gives me hope.

I am so glad I found you on here!

I am a 19 year old female and I have been going to school to become a pilot for the past year and a half. I started flying in January, passed the knowlege test, and was scheduled to take my practical this month. I started having seizures two weeks ago and everything went downhill from there and I have a hard time doing anything now. I am newly diagnosed with JME and completely devistated. My neurologist put me on Lamictal and I hate how it makes me feel. He also told me I absolutely could not fly. Everytime I see a Cessna I burst into tears.

I wish you and I the best of luck on finding new career choices. Post on anything new if possible, it gives me hope.

Re: has epilepsy altered your future?

Submitted by dainty on Thu, 2008-11-06 - 22:49

My son wanted to go career marine after his 4 years at college.  Naturally they will not take him with epilepsy.  Even with being controlled by meds and having a degree. It is very frustrating and very depressing for him. Many things he used to enjoy he no longer participates in.  We are trying to help my son figure this all out but its not easy.  I think you have to keep trying and be open to change as an epileptic.  I wish you all well *  

joan*

Live, Laugh, Love

My son wanted to go career marine after his 4 years at college.  Naturally they will not take him with epilepsy.  Even with being controlled by meds and having a degree. It is very frustrating and very depressing for him. Many things he used to enjoy he no longer participates in.  We are trying to help my son figure this all out but its not easy.  I think you have to keep trying and be open to change as an epileptic.  I wish you all well *  

joan*

Live, Laugh, Love

aiwinski...

Submitted by mommy2kyra on Sun, 2005-10-16 - 13:22
I can relate...it IS life-altering. I am older than you (34), but my experience was somewhat similar. I was diagnosed while in college, going for a psychology degree. I had always loved science, and was fascinated by neurology (strangely enough!). I knew that I couldn't make it through the demanding course studies and schedule, so I had to alter my plan a bit. I decided to get my degree in psych, then go for a teaching credential, and then a master's in psych..so I could become a school counselor. Unfortunately, I started my schooling later. So, by the time I got my bachelor's degree, I was 30 years old. I had always planned on having 2 or 3 children, and staying home with them until they were at least in grade school, so my plan got put on the back burner. I got my bachelor's cum laude in psych, so I probably wouldn't have a tough time being accepted later on down the road, when I have more time. I now have 2 children, and I can't even imagine going to work. Epilepsy and meds have definitely had an effect on my memory, and I don't know if I have it in me to go back to school. I am lucky that I don't need to do it for the money (at this point, anway), but I would love to help others. I suppose that need can always be fulfilled through volunteer-work, or continuing my education (for the heck of it, so I don't need to pressure myself about GPA's!) and educating people in local communities. I'm not sure if my response has helped you, but I hope it has! As you get older, and see more things you're goals just might change. Best of luck to you, hugs! Heather :)

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