Hello, My name is Cheryl and I was diagnosed with Epilepsy when I was 12. I began having auras "funny feelings" at the age of 10. My family thought something psychologically was wrong until I began having seizures during sleep. I was diagnosed with psychomotor seizures.

Once I was placed on tegretol, I was as "normal" as can be. I didn't have one seizure. When I reached 18, the doctor thought I grew out of it. I made it almost a year...and had a grand mal seizure in my sleep. I was put back on tegretol and was fine until the age of 26. I began having "auras" occasionally. Once I hit 28 it got out of control. I was having auras daily...maybe 3 times and also having seizures daily. I'd have them in the evening when I was tired. I am a teacher and my job takes a lot of energy to begin with. But, I would go home and fall asleep at 7:00. I had no energy and no life outside of work. I had no idea what was happening. My doctor kept telling me to take another 100mg. you should be fine. I was very concerned about my health and wanting answers as to why everything had changed. I was taking 800 mg. tegretol when I decided to go to a hospital that specializes in seizures. I am close to Chicago so this was pretty convenient. The doctor convinced me to go into the hospital for a sleep study. I was scared, but knew I had to find out what was wrong. I went into the hospital for 5 days. The morning after my first night there the doctors told me I had 2 small seizures during sleep. Well...it turns out...I had multiple seizures each night. Hence, this is the reason I was so exhausted. I had many different types of seizures that week. I was put on 1400 mg. of timed release tegretol and I am a new person. The doctors at that hospital gave me my life back...literally.

I no longer fear when my next seizure will come, I have so much energy, and I get into my car and drive without the fear I am going to harm someone else. In summary, I would strongly recommend seeking out a new doctor if the one you have is not taking care of you properly. This is your life...and you are worth it!