I am 42 years old and back in February; I put in a story about my experience with seizures. As with Craig from Rio Linda, California, I to have been off of work, it has been one year this month. Also, like Craig, there were times of depression. My wife can attest to that. She has been a godsend to me for putting up with all of it. Plus, my family has been very supportive and they want me to get bet better.

I do try to break up my days with housework and gardening. That does help. I do miss my freedom of being able to drive anywhere I feel like and not depend on others to get around.

My seizures started twenty years ago, three months after my mom passed away. On a rare occasion I would have a Gran Mal but mostly would have a Petite Mal. My Neurologist has put me on almost every type of seizure medicine there is. It had destroyed my life long aspiration of being a police officer.

I was on the force for several years when the increase of my seizures made it a very easy decision that I should fine another line of work. It also put a strain and ultimate demise of my first marriage.

For a long time I was not having any seizures except on a rare occasion. Then this past year, for some reason, my seizures were a daily occurrence. I was averaging anywhere from twenty to forty seizures a month. I could not function at all.

So, both my Neurologist and Epileptologist agreed that the next step was to have a Vagus Nerve Stimulator. I definitely was not sure if it would be the answer. I felt that I was out of options. I then spoke with my Neurosurgeon and felt more confident about it. So, back in March, I had the surgery. It has cut my seizures from forty a month to ten. Hopefully, it will be reduced to a maximum one a month. I will know in three months to get a true gauge on if it is working, or decide on another option.

I really miss work and want to get back into that routine again. As like me, I am sure that a lot of you in this situation, you don't want to spend the rest of your life sitting at home, unable to drive and have the freedom that you once had.

Talk it over with your Neurologist on what kind of options are for you. Your Doctor would know best.

I have the will power to make my life more bearable with this and enjoy it.