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New to Epilepsy....help!
Tue, 01/18/2005 - 10:3436 yr. old, married w/2 children,dog,horse,full happening. I own a bar three hours away that is profitable and I don't want to sell. I had 2 grand mal seizures and stopped breathing at work, primary-generalized is what they say. Stress,no sleep and alcohol were the triggers. How do you avoid triggers that are your life. This non-driving thing is about to kill me, missing kids functions,brand new H2, losing my independence, who do you tell that this is going on with you, this feels like a nightmare......
Comments
RE: RE: New to Epilepsy....help!
Submitted by sarahshepler on Sun, 2005-01-16 - 10:42
Thank you so much for replying back,Christine. It always makes you feel a little more normal when someone else has been through what your going through. You're so right about the late hours and I stay in a hotel so you know the quality of sleep isn't the same. I have a manager to run it, but you know when it's mostly a cash business, the stress of being stolen from is a constant. I'm not sure if I know how to relax. Being around my husband,type A personality,hyper,dentist,need I say more...I would look very lazy plus I like getting things done. On the other hand, putting a name to these (spells) has answered some questions over the years. I know I've had this for quite some time. I had drop attacks and people thought I was passing out although smelling salts would not bring me to. Memory loss,time loss, they say I don't always convulse, posture sometimes. How do you get passed that feeling of being a ticking time bomb? I've always been super-sensitive to making a scene, I wish I didn't care what people thought. I know I sound kind of whimpy, there are people that have it so much worse, I think it's the loss of control and that my body let me down. Did you feel this way? By the way, my bar is a strip club and I used to dance, I worked out constantly and my body showed that. Now you understand why I feel this way. Thanks for listening. Sarah
RE: RE: RE: New to Epilepsy....help!
Submitted by Christine on Sun, 2005-01-16 - 13:31
I smiled as I read your e-mail! This industry (bar/strip club) gets to be a comfortable environment (addidictive?) The fast pace of customer interactions, constant happenings, are hard work but also become a "way of life!" I mean it though, when I say, you HAVE to take time for yourself! Relax and sleep on a regular basis or you'll be like me, and have to leave the business you've been in for so many years. Also, please take my advice and keep a journal of your moods/seizure activity, it will clarify things. As you refered to in your note to me, "memory" is an issue, and you will realize it more when you keep a journal. If you take care of yourself (take your meds., learn to relax, keep communication with your husband regarding the manifestations of epilepsy) you will triumph over all of this, and BE JUST FINE!! - Christine :)
RE: New to Epilepsy....help!
Submitted by Christine on Sat, 2005-01-15 - 14:11
I certainly commiserate with you! I too owned a Bar and have epilepsy. We finally had to sell it last year because the stress, odd/late hours were exascerbating my seizure activity. The thing that I miss the most is that when I had an "aura" I would let an employee/friend know and they would discreetly take me into the back room (try to find that as an "employee" somewhere!) But, life has gone on, and my seizures are under control. Regular sleep schedule, taking my meds (Dilantin and Celexa), and letting someone else shoulder the responsibility by being an "employee" in an unrelated field now. You've got a lot on your plate (dogs, horse, kids, business, etc.) and the best advice I can give you is to take time for yourself! Time to relax! Also, keep a journal of your seizures and moods, it surprising what you can learn. Epilepsy affects our "memory" capabilities so you will be surprised what you can learn. Also, be on the alert for increased activity around the time you menstruate. This activity is linked with our hormones and can get more pronounced as we get older. It's called "catamenial seizure activity" for future reference. Yes! You will get through this! - C :)