how do i get on with my life?

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I'm 22 years old and I had my first seizure at the age of 10. I had about 4 seizures from the time I was 10 until I was 12. It took me forever it seems like to get over the fear of seizures. For a while, I would go out. All I wanted to do was sit at home. I knew I had to fight it and get on with my life. It took a long time for me to become myself again and about the time I was finally back to normal I had another seizure. I couldn't believe. I was seizure free for 10 years! Now I'm back to where I was before. I'm miserable. All I ever think about is "wonder if I'll have another seizure." Also, any uncontrollable movement on my body freaks me out wheter it's my eye twitching or whatever else. My boyfriend is a very outgoing person but I'm not because of my seizures. I don't know how to get my life back. All I do is worry about it. It's driving my crazy and making so depressed! I know I haven't had alot of seizures in my life but they have competely turned my life around. Please give me some advice on how to get my life back to normal. Thanks

Comments

RE: how do i get on with my life?

Submitted by trouble3 on Wed, 2005-05-25 - 17:42

Hey, i'm 21. Had E for 3 years now. It devastated me! How do i get on with life i thought? I had 4 in the 1st year then clear for 6 months then another seizure after 1 and a half years. In the last 6 weeks i've had 3 seizures. I'm gutted! To be honest i cry often about having Epilepsy, but not in front of anybody. Iwas starting my driving again so it put me down so much. My confidance and general self esteem is low. But with all this going on, i still go to work every day. I found the easiest way to cope is by working and keeping busy. I know how hard it is. I found this sight has helped me a lot. I've learnt so much about epilepsy from these posts. Talking to some one who understands also helps, although its hard to find people who will listen.

Did you come of the meds or were you taking them the whole time over the ten years? What type of seizures do you have? Mine are grang mal. Have you talked about things with your boyfriend? How understanding is he?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Bec. x

Hey, i'm 21. Had E for 3 years now. It devastated me! How do i get on with life i thought? I had 4 in the 1st year then clear for 6 months then another seizure after 1 and a half years. In the last 6 weeks i've had 3 seizures. I'm gutted! To be honest i cry often about having Epilepsy, but not in front of anybody. Iwas starting my driving again so it put me down so much. My confidance and general self esteem is low. But with all this going on, i still go to work every day. I found the easiest way to cope is by working and keeping busy. I know how hard it is. I found this sight has helped me a lot. I've learnt so much about epilepsy from these posts. Talking to some one who understands also helps, although its hard to find people who will listen.

Did you come of the meds or were you taking them the whole time over the ten years? What type of seizures do you have? Mine are grang mal. Have you talked about things with your boyfriend? How understanding is he?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Bec. x

RE: RE: how do i get on with my life?

Submitted by hollyj on Wed, 2005-05-25 - 18:47

Hi! My name is Holly and I'm a 38 year old wife and mother who was diagnosed with epilepsy at 15. Believe me, I know how you feel. I had my first grand mal seizure at 15. It was the scariest thing that ever happened to me. The only thing that kept me going is my faith in God. I was blessed that I only had about 8 seizures since then but I know how you feel - just one is enough. I actually went 13 1/2 years without having one. Don't give up hope and pray! You can have a very normal life. I am married to a wonderful guy who stuck by me through the seizures - I have two beautiful children and a great job. I work in a trauma center which is such a blessing. Where better to have a seizure than in a hospital. I did have a seizure once at work and I had the best people to take care of me. I know it's difficult to have this disease but if I had to pick a disease - this is the one I would choose. It is an inconvenience but with medication you can get control of your life. I will pray for you - keep the faith!

Re: RE: RE: how do i get on with my life?

Submitted by mkfarnam on Wed, 2006-01-25 - 21:15

My name is Mike, I was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 7,that was 1961. I`ve been through it all, especially back when epilepsy had the same rating as Leprosy (unknown). I`d like to correct Holly on something she mentioned. Epilepsy is not a Disease, nor is it considered a Mental Illness. It`s a (Physical) neurological disorder .Damage to the nervous system In my teens,and 20`s, I had grand Mal seizure some times 2 and 3 time aday.Now after taking most every kind of drug there is for controlling seizures, some had to be toxic doses in order to work,my seizures have been under control for 20 years,Now with only 5 dilantin a day. I`ve had a drivers license for 18 years and my own business for over 15 years.None of this would exist without Faith. Faith also brought me out of my depressive stage. I found that as long as I kept myself occupied I was just as normal as anyone else. I decided get involved with my community. Get to know others and make friends. But I also decided not to let my epilepsy be know except for the ones that need to know. I did`nt want people feeling sorry for me or people tearting me like an idiot, I`m sure most of you know what I mean. I also faced the fact that there is no cure for epilepsy and as long as I stayed on the perscibed dosage I`d be fine.