The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Howdy vets

Sun, 05/18/2008 - 09:59
Hi  xgi here from michigan. I'm retired AF E6. I see we got a place for vets with epilepsy. I've had epilepsy for 20 years now after I was injured on active duty. Does anyone use VA nerou care??  like to chat with other vets to see how the handle their sezuires as well.  God bless our troops.........x

Comments

Re: Howdy vets

Submitted by falconfixr1 on Sun, 2008-05-18 - 19:47

Hey XGI --

 Don't use VA, yet....currently active AF e-6 with epilepsy.  I'm undergoing an IPEB right now.  I was diagnosed 3 years ago w/ complex partial w/secondary generalized seizures (i guess that's dr speak for "we don't know wtf is wrong w/you!").  Are you receiving disability for the epilepsy?  How did they rate you?  were you able to go the full 20?  I've fought for the past 3 years.  They aren't letting me do my job (F-16 Avionics -- aircraft mechanic) any longer, nor can i deploy (all understandable, i guess).  I've been relegated to being a programs manager.  It's been complete status castration.  I don't even have troops any longer.  I look forward to retirment now.  I've only been in 13 years.  There's NO WAY i can do another 7 if I can't do my job.  Anyway....enough griping.  Just interesting to see others out there in similar situation, ie vet w/epilepsy

Hey XGI --

 Don't use VA, yet....currently active AF e-6 with epilepsy.  I'm undergoing an IPEB right now.  I was diagnosed 3 years ago w/ complex partial w/secondary generalized seizures (i guess that's dr speak for "we don't know wtf is wrong w/you!").  Are you receiving disability for the epilepsy?  How did they rate you?  were you able to go the full 20?  I've fought for the past 3 years.  They aren't letting me do my job (F-16 Avionics -- aircraft mechanic) any longer, nor can i deploy (all understandable, i guess).  I've been relegated to being a programs manager.  It's been complete status castration.  I don't even have troops any longer.  I look forward to retirment now.  I've only been in 13 years.  There's NO WAY i can do another 7 if I can't do my job.  Anyway....enough griping.  Just interesting to see others out there in similar situation, ie vet w/epilepsy

Re: Howdy vets

Submitted by Texas_med on Sun, 2008-05-18 - 21:27
I'm not a vet with epilepsy but I figured I could help you out some. I seen you had learned that you have Complex Partial Seisures with Secondary Generalized. I have the same thing and I am currently working as a nurse in the department of neurology so maybe I can help. I don't know if you were being sarcastic but I can tell you what each seizure is since I specialize in the department of neurology at the local hospital. The complex partial seizures mean that it starts in either your temporal lobe or frontal lobe of your brain and the abnormal electrical activity stays there during the seizure. Most likely, if you are having secondary generalized seizures also, they are starting in the temporal lobe (since they tend to become more severe more often). If you go into a secondary generalized seizure, that means the abnormal electrical activity spreads to the rest of your brain and the seizure then becomes a Grand Mal seizure. If you would like to know anything else, just ask. I have been living with those type of seizures for 21 years and love to help others.

Re: Howdy vets

Submitted by falconfixr1 on Sun, 2008-05-18 - 22:14

Tks texas med...Yes, I was being sarcastic.  Always, i'm always sarcastic.  Just my nature.  It's one of the ways i vent my frustration at the system.  I understand the terminology/definitions.  It's the why that I don't understand.  I also know that I may NEVER have that answer.  The reason for the seizures may never be discovered. 

 I did start another thread in another forum....I've been referred to Bowman Gray Epilepsy Center for further "study" (sounds like a zoo animal).  What can I expect?  It's been more than three years since my initial diagnosis and this will be the first time that a dr has decided to attempt to find the focal area of my seizure activity (pretty convinced it's temporal lobe....just where).  My neuro is pretty adamant about wanting to do surgery...i don't seem to be responding to medication any longer.  I don't like the idea of surgery, but i am very curious about where and how the seizure activity is occuring.  So, I think the only reason he is REALLy sending me to the center is to determine exactly which piece of my brain to remove. 

Tks for the help 

Tks texas med...Yes, I was being sarcastic.  Always, i'm always sarcastic.  Just my nature.  It's one of the ways i vent my frustration at the system.  I understand the terminology/definitions.  It's the why that I don't understand.  I also know that I may NEVER have that answer.  The reason for the seizures may never be discovered. 

 I did start another thread in another forum....I've been referred to Bowman Gray Epilepsy Center for further "study" (sounds like a zoo animal).  What can I expect?  It's been more than three years since my initial diagnosis and this will be the first time that a dr has decided to attempt to find the focal area of my seizure activity (pretty convinced it's temporal lobe....just where).  My neuro is pretty adamant about wanting to do surgery...i don't seem to be responding to medication any longer.  I don't like the idea of surgery, but i am very curious about where and how the seizure activity is occuring.  So, I think the only reason he is REALLy sending me to the center is to determine exactly which piece of my brain to remove. 

Tks for the help 

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.