|
|
If you (or your loved one) have had a vagus nerve stimulator implanted, what happened after it?
(Note: You must log in or register to participate in this poll.)
What happens at a support group meeting? That depends on the members, of course, and perhaps on the organization that's sponsoring it. Some groups just have informal discussions at every meeting. Some have lectures by doctors and other professionals. Some go out and participate in sports or community activities together. If you join a group and decide that its activities are not what you want, you may be able to find another group that suits your needs better.
Groups for children and teens with epilepsy
Groups for people with epilepsy are often divided by age. Children or teens have their own group where they can make friends and feel comfortable talking about the challenges they face every day. Once a group of youngsters is established, the members may stay together over many years, although newcomers usually are accepted quickly.
Often the ages of teen group members cover a pretty wide span of years because membership depends more on developmental age than on the calendar. This system seems to work well for most groups. Because everyone is at a similar level, they are all comfortable practicing their relationship skills and establishing friendships.
Teen groups often combine education and recreation. Many teens are poorly informed about epilepsy. Learning more helps them explain it to their other friends. Well-informed teens also may be better at taking responsibility for their own treatment, instead of seeing it as something inflicted on them by their doctor and parents.
Recreational activities by teen support groups are fun, but they also can be learning experiences. Many children with epilepsy have missed out on common activities. When a teen group goes bowling or plays pool, the members are practicing social skills and physical skills at the same time.
In some places, there are also groups for brothers and sisters of children with epilepsy, where they can learn about epilepsy and discuss their feelings and day-to-day problems with others who understand their situation.
Groups for adults with epilepsyAs already mentioned, the activities of adult support groups vary widely. There's usually a social aspect, and some members may keep in touch between meetings. Comparing notes on problems and discussing epilepsy-related news stories is an informal means of education, though many groups also invite outside speakers to participate in some of their meetings. Some groups also encourage members to contact their representatives about laws concerning epilepsy, and groups may get involved in epilepsy fund-raisers. The interests and desires of the members determine the activities of these groups.
Where the population is large enough, groups may form around special interests: groups for seniors, groups for singles, groups for patients having certain kinds of treatment, and so forth.
Groups for parents of children with epilepsyBeing the parent of a child with epilepsy is quite a different experience depending on the type and severity of the disorder, of course, but all have some common interests. These groups have many kinds of meetings, similar to the adult groups. New members are likely to find the advice of more experienced parents about the practicalities of dealing with local schools and other institutions especially helpful.
Sometimes parents whose children have certain types of epilepsy or other conditions that present special problems (such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or cerebral palsy) may form their own groups, where they can focus on the specialized information relevant to their needs.
Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, M.D.
Last Reviewed:12/15/06
Welcome to the Wiki. This space is created for epilepsy.com members to share their own experiences and expertise to help refine and expand the discussion around important topics.
No members have yet contributed to this topic. If you are not yet an epilepsy.com member, register today to get started on this Wiki topic and the many other advantages of being a member. If you are a member and wish to be the first to edit this Wiki topic, please make sure to login, then click on the orange "Start Wiki" button at the top of this page. Or, learn more about Wikis.
| Title | Posted | |
|---|---|---|
| Sex drive and seizure medications | May 16, 2008 | |
| life | May 16, 2008 | |
| son newly diagnosed with Absence Seizures | May 16, 2008 | |
| Controlling absence seizures | May 16, 2008 | |
| Developmentally Delayed 1 yr. old | May 16, 2008 | |
| My parents dont care...I feel soooo alone! | May 16, 2008 | |
| Epilepsy and marijuana | May 16, 2008 | |
| Absence Seizure in toddler, need more info! | May 16, 2008 | |
| New to site and living with Epilepsy | May 16, 2008 | |
| Binaural Beats and Epilepsy | May 16, 2008 |
| Title | Page Views | |
|---|---|---|
| Over 40 Different Types Of Seizures....... | 21,808 | |
| my.epilepsy.com Updates | 20,169 | |
| topamax and weight loss | 18,721 | |
| kepra | 18,468 | |
| Possible cure for absence seizures | 15,297 | |
| Epilepsy and marijuana | 14,073 | |
| Sexual Side Effects | 12,254 | |
| How exactly do aura's feel | 11,992 | |
| MEDICAL ALERT I.D.'s | 10,951 | |
| Over 40 Different Types Of Seizures - Part 2 | 9,752 |
| Title | Posted | |
|---|---|---|
| WooHoo! | May 16, 2008 | |
| Im not alone | May 16, 2008 | |
| Long Day | May 16, 2008 | |
| interictal dysphoric disorder | May 16, 2008 | |
| Angry with the neuro's office and frustrated by the school situation | May 16, 2008 | |
| HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THOSE SPECIAL MOM'S | May 15, 2008 | |
| I've Lost My Mind | May 15, 2008 | |
| Looking for answers | May 15, 2008 | |
| Epilepsy in gastric bypass patients | May 15, 2008 | |
| gypsyg | May 14, 2008 |
| Title | Posted | |
|---|---|---|
| Ms. | May 16, 2008 | |
| shilpa | May 16, 2008 | |
| First seizure at age 25 | May 15, 2008 | |
| its hared but then i found this | May 15, 2008 | |
| Nobody Understands | May 15, 2008 | |
| Depakote and Children | May 14, 2008 | |
| what goes around comes around | May 14, 2008 | |
| Shari Story | May 13, 2008 | |
| susu | May 13, 2008 | |
| Ayden's Story | May 13, 2008 |
