Community Forum Archive
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.
I’m scared to continue on with life...
Fri, 10/13/2017 - 04:07Topic: My Epilepsy Diary
Due to a closed head injury when I was 3 (fell off a swing set and hit my head on brick wall) I began having epilepsy. I took medicine and had seizures from 3-5. From 9 years old to 19 I have severe migraines to the point where I couldn’t function. I am turning 20 this Thursday 10/19. In 2016 I had a headache on my way to work a retail job. I was ringing a customer up when I started stuttering and stumbling over words, getting sweaty, and ringing things up twice; I walk to the back because I couldn’t function before I reached the back I passed out and hit my head on a clothing rack. Followed by an MRI, CT scan and an eeg. Just slight epileptic activity on the brain. Was given medicine i took it for two months and gave up. I just want to feel normal and not need medicine to be normal. ⏩ FastFoward 10/10/2017. I have a 26 day old baby I’m walking with him and I blackout. Dropping him and injuring his skull. We were in the hospital for 28 hours. We came home with family and I get in the shower and blackout. Not passing out but lost control of my body for a few seconds. Go into the ER. After many stumped doctors, on a heart monitor, several blood test, an MRI and a EEG...my seizures are back and I caught it right In time...Now I’m on driving restrictions and can’t even pick up my newborn. I feel useless. I’m starting Keppra and it has a high risk of depression and suicudal thoughts and I’m already trying to avoid post partum depression. I’m so scared what the future holds for me and my family.
Please call the Epilepsy &
Submitted by tbuckley on Fri, 2017-10-13 - 16:12
Please call the Epilepsy & Seizures Helpline at 1-800-332-1000. This is a lot to go through. Seizures being back, not being able to pick up your child, fighting postpartum depression - this is a lot to deal with. It does sound like you caught your seizures in time and hopefully, your health care team is working with you to get them under control. It's difficult to figure out where to start sometimes, but you don't have to do it alone. What you're going through is scary enough. If you are scared to continue on with life & thinking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-8288 (TALK) and speak with a trained hotline specialist. They're available 24-hours a day. They can help you find supportive services in your area.I'm not sure if you're aware of Postpartum Support International. They offer resources and support around postpartum depression and some help from them may be beneficial to you as well. They can be reached by calling 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD). They also offer local support which you can look up by visiting their website at www.postpartum.netPlease also check out epilepsy.com/affiliates to see if we have a local office that works where you live to see what they can do to help you as well.