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Recently Diagnosed

Thu, 12/28/2006 - 11:32
I am 18 and have been recently diagnosed with having complex partial seizures. I had never had a seizure or a migraine up until two months ago, and now they are becoming more and more of a regular occurence in my life. The first episode I had consisted of a twitch and an hour period where I was completely unresponsive. After that I had a migraine that lasted a total of 10 days. I am still undergoing testing and am awaiting the results of a brain MRI I had Friday. I have had an EEG and a spinal tap done but we haven't gotten very far in an exact diagnosis. I have been put on Topamax and Repax by my neurologist while we figure things out. My seizures consist mainly of a period where I become completely unresponsive although I am still functioning and typically appear to be looking for something. My room mate among other people say that I look very confused and often appear to be drugged/groggy (glossy eyed, in a trance) I also seem to have a constant muscle twitch/spasm in the majority of my body, it feels like I'm shaking. I don't know how to describe it, it's like a throb without pain. I am usually fatigue and often feel very weak. There are periods of time where I will be in such a state of fatigue/light headedness that I find it hard to walk and will stumble. I'm not sure how to deal with this. I am in my senior year in high school but have missed about 3 1/2-4 weeks of school total this year. I am scared and I have no idea what to think about what is going on. I had never had a migraine before let alone a seizure up until 2 months ago and to have them both show up so suddently has been really frightening. I guess I'm just looking for advice/support from people who know what it's like.

Comments

Re: Recently Diagnosed

Submitted by G_S_M on Thu, 2006-12-28 - 14:41
Hi My name is Gina and I know exactly how you feel and what you are talking about. I am a 17 years old and a junior in high school and I have had epilepsy since I was 8 mounths old. I has been very scarry. It is nice to know that someone else has the same kind of seizures as me. CAN YOU DRIVE. I can't. It is some what hard for me because all of friends get to drive. I had surgery 8 years ago on my head because I had a tumor in it. It was a little scarry. I use to have grand mall seizures every day and had to go home from school. It was not fun at all. I hope to talk to you some other time again. If you have any Q's just write to me. You can put a comment on my HIGH SCHOOL. comment page. see yahhhhh from Gina

Re: Re: Recently Diagnosed

Submitted by InsaneEnsign13 on Sat, 2006-12-30 - 20:49
Because I have just been recently diagnosed, I still have my license. Until we have a full diagnosis I will still be driving even though I tecnically shouldn't. My neurologist told me he isnt going to call the cops or anything so I should be fine until things are figured out.

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