Epilepsy in College

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Bio: Hi, I'm new to this forum so I thought I'd share my story. I was diagnosed with epilepsy 5 years ago, my freshman year of high school. I was having seizures pretty consistently. My neurologist has me taking Keppra and Lamotrigine twice a day. I have grand mal seizures, they were 5 minutes long at first and have gone down to less than a minute. It was hard and very frustrating to find a medicine that works because I was not responding to the EEG. It's definitely hard balancing sports, school, and trying not to let epilepsy affect my life. It has been difficult this past year moving states to attend college. This past year I was seizure free for 5 months and recently had another. I had not gone longer than 5 months without a seizure so that was pretty frustrating. But I am learning to be patient with my health problems and take it one day at a time. If anyone has a similar story or advice about dealing with epilepsy in college, I'd love to hear it.

Comments

Hey, seems to me like your

Submitted by abrugg on Wed, 2019-12-04 - 00:20

Hey, seems to me like your story is eerily similar to mine. I was on keppra, have grand mal seizures once every couple months, do sports, and have "inconclusive" EEG's. Except my seizures began when I was 16 years old. I am 23 years old now and have finished undergrad, while I didn't move entirely out of state to attend college, I did move 3 hours away, so my parents weren't with me during that time. I understand how difficult it can be getting from one place to the other; I would use lyft/uber for certain places, but most of the time I would ride my bike to get to campus or work or places like that. I had good days and bad days, which I'm sure you have as well. I want to let you know that I do understand just how tough it is, especially in college. It's not something anyone can see happen everyday, or even every week, so we don't get much sympathy from our peers. I can promise you this though, it gets better. Everyday you get stronger, and everyday you build character because of what you're going through.

Hi, Thanks so much for

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2019-12-04 - 09:58

Hi, Thanks so much for posting. Like Adam shared with his experience living with epilepsy, we understand balancing school, sports, being away from home and managing your epilepsy can be challenging. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help support you. One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network. Learn more about your community support resources, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concernsCollege is an exciting time but can bring on a lot of new stressors. For more information and resources on the importance of stress management, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/stress-and-wellnessManaging your epilepsy can help to lessen your risks, improve safety, and increase the chance of a successful college experience, both in and out of the classroom.https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/attending-college Develop a personalized plan for managing your seizures and your learning needs:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history,medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. using a diary:Learn how to live with seizures, potential risks and safety tips: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Review our seizure alert device factsheet with your doctor to see if a seizure alert device is an option you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf Learn more about things to consider for independent living , resources that are available & when help is needed: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living For additional strategies, tips and resources formaking the most of your college experience, please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-college Additionally, it’s important that you’re continuing to follow-up with your neurologist and if you experience any changes in seizure types/frequency side effects, symptoms, and behaviors.Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences,find & give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups,events, and programs in your community. Or contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: epilepsy.com/helplinewhere trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org.

Hi, Thanks so much for posting. Like Adam shared with his experience living with epilepsy, we understand balancing school, sports, being away from home and managing your epilepsy can be challenging. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help support you. One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network.  Learn more about your community support resources, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concernsCollege is an exciting time but can bring on a lot of new stressors. For more information and resources on the importance of stress management, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/stress-and-wellnessManaging your epilepsy can help to lessen your risks, improve safety, and increase the chance of a successful college experience, both in and out of the classroom.https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/attending-college  Develop a personalized plan for managing your seizures and your learning needs:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history,medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. using a diary:Learn how to live with seizures, potential risks and safety tips: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Review our seizure alert device factsheet with your doctor to see if a seizure alert device is an option you:  https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf                                                                                                    Learn more about things to consider for independent living , resources that are available & when help is needed: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living                                         For additional strategies, tips and resources formaking the most of your college experience, please visit:  https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-college Additionally, it’s important that you’re continuing to follow-up with your neurologist and if you experience any changes in seizure types/frequency side effects, symptoms, and behaviors.Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences,find & give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates  to find support groups,events, and programs in your community. Or contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: epilepsy.com/helplinewhere trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. 

Hi, Thanks so much for posting. Like Adam shared with his experience living with epilepsy, we understand balancing school, sports, being away from home and managing your epilepsy can be challenging. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help support you. One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network. Learn more about your community support resources, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concernsCollege is an exciting time but can bring on a lot of new stressors. For more information and resources on the importance of stress management, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/stress-and-wellnessManaging your epilepsy can help to lessen your risks, improve safety, and increase the chance of a successful college experience, both in and out of the classroom.https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/attending-college Develop a personalized plan for managing your seizures and your learning needs:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to you understand what do if you have a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Tracking your seizures, record your medical history,medications, side effects, moods, or other personal experiences. using a diary:Learn how to live with seizures, potential risks and safety tips: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Review our seizure alert device factsheet with your doctor to see if a seizure alert device is an option you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf Learn more about things to consider for independent living , resources that are available & when help is needed: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living For additional strategies, tips and resources formaking the most of your college experience, please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-college Additionally, it’s important that you’re continuing to follow-up with your neurologist and if you experience any changes in seizure types/frequency side effects, symptoms, and behaviors.Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences,find & give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups,events, and programs in your community. Or contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: epilepsy.com/helplinewhere trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help, hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org.