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New Epilepsy Diagnosis

Sun, 07/07/2019 - 12:46
Whats going on Epilepsy family! Guys my life has been completely changed and its depressing! I am a radio personality, producer, artist developer, I consider myself the hip hop Oprah. I have always been an on the go, get it done with or with out you, highly motivated young lady. I have 2 degrees and played basketball in both my junior college as well as my HBCU. I included that because I'm trying to paint the picture of how active, busy, stressful, and overwhelming my younger years has been. I considered it pretty normal for us millennials. Also keep in mind I had my first child 2017, breast fed and lived a pretty back to normal schedule with my village welcoming the new baby and assisting any and every way they could. So let me take you to the day prior to my first seizure..... I had a busy day planned. My client and production team traveled to location about an hour from home to shoot a promotional video. Ill never forget how I felt after leaving and going to the restaurant to eat, I was a different kind of exhausted. I was light and sound sensitive and just wanted to go home. After getting back to my car, I had an album release party with an artist I was consulting . Nothing out of the normal, my shot was poured, greenery was passed (again nothing out of the ordinary because have been partaking of the herb for almost 6 years). I left early got home and it was business as usual, the mr was waiting for me. We rolled up and then rolled around in the bed. Nothing new or different other than maybe the backwood the greens were rolled in when I partook of the herb at the album release party because I don't use those. Either way I wake up the next morning with the Mr in the bed and then he bring our daughter in bed with us for our usual morning family fun. I grab my phone and start scrolling ig as we all do and the Mr explained it as I was watching a video repetitively, way more than normal. Next thing I remember I am laying in a bed full of pee with my mother in law and the emt's at my bedroom door. Immediately I can't believe it and I say to my man,"so you call your mom because I peed the bed? was the ambulance really necessary?". (its ok you can laugh lol because I laughed when he told me what I said too lol) Everyone is trying to explain to me that I just had a seizure. Theres blood all in my mouth because I bit a hell of a chunk out of my tongue. They rush me in the ambulance and take me to the hospital and then I actually wound up having 2 more seizures while in the hospital . Immediately they put me on a Keppra iv 750mg and prescribed me the same to take twice a day. Now being that this was my first time ever in life experiencing any kind of convulsing seizure and having 2 more in the hospital I figured that's why they prescribed so much mg wise. They went to school wayyyyyyyyyy longer than me so I trust em. HOWEVER, the side effects of this medicine was really obvious and unpleasant in most cases. I am in every way a positive, bubbly, fun loving awesome sauce kind of individual so for me to act any way outside of that is not normal. As a new mom I pride myself on being thee example of love and happiness to my daughter which is why she is an absolute gem and joy to be around. So while taking the medication I noticed where my patience level is non existent, im talking 0-100 REAL QUICK. In moments where I would have been patient and understanding I was way more snappy and im gonna be honest just a really big B****. I know when to administer thy B****yness and its never been as frequent until the prescription. I expressed this to my neurologist and he agreed to lower my dosage to 500mg twice a day, but what wound up happening is I had 2 seizures in my sleep, woke up with the bed wet and I was experiencing "auroras" as the neurologist explained. The Mr described it as I would be spaced out and he would have to say my name to snap me out of it. What frustrates me most about this is I never have ANY RECOLLECTION of what happens, to hear that I just had a seizure from someone else creates an entire different sense of denial and frustration. I had an MRI of my brain and there was nothing seen , no bruises or abnormalities but because of the nocturnal seizures and auroras he change the prescription back to 750. This entire journey has been crazy because of course Keppra eliminates any kind of appetite you may have had. (Which in a sense wasn't too bad, dropped a size or two. I can eat so that is literally the only upside to this lol) Now that we've got the back story out the way I really looking forward to sharing my most recent experience THIS MORNING. My alarm went off for me to take my medicine (7am) and I went back to sleep. I woke up at 9 ON THE FLOOR!!!!! I didn't pee on myself but I notice where I bit the corner of my mouth and my hip joint was hurting so bad. Now could I have been sleeping wild and rolled off the bed yes. Could I have been sleeping in an uncomfortable position too long and then rolled off the bed? Could I have bumped in on my bed set while rolling out of bed? I don't know but I know my hip joint hurts and I've had bed soreness because of my seep positions in the past but nothing extreme that would change how I walk. I sleep on my stomach with 1leg straight and the other leg bent upward. Guys if you're still reading this thank you! I haven't expressed myself or my feelings and experiences with my new diagnosis with anyone other than my family and neurologists and some friends who have experienced it. This entire experience has been absolutely mind blowing. Has anyone else experienced this? I need some folks with experience and if youre interested in sharing your story contact me please. I am producing a documentary titled FXCK EPILEPSY! No one really knows what we go through and I want to give people a chance to share their experiences too. To the untrained eye, we can look normal but battle with depression and different ailments that really alter our lives. Thank you for reading all of this.

Comments

I'm 53 and many of the people

Submitted by birdman on Sun, 2019-07-07 - 22:23
I'm 53 and many of the people I know today do not know the incredible experiences I've been through all my life because of seizures happening in some very inconvenient and dangerous situations (singing on stage, in remote wilderness in Canada, broken nose at airport, on top of 16 foot ladder picking cherries...)  Yet as i approached my recent brain surgery I had many people shocked and questioning the necessity of my treatment decision.  I've been feeling the need to get my story out somehow along with some stories of other ways epilepsy can strike people.  I'm not sure I like the title but I would be interested in what you have planned with your documentary.  Mike

Hi MsWill723.Thanks so much

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 2019-07-08 - 09:20
Hi MsWill723.Thanks so much for sharing your story, it sounds like you’ve been through a lot. It’s important that you express your concerns and any increase in feelings of depression, changes in seizure types, frequency, behaviors, side effects and symptoms to your healthcare team. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/womenOur new to Epilepsy & Seizure tool kit is a great resource and starting point for learning about what epilepsy is, what resources are available, how to make the most of doctors' visits, and how to take control of seizures.Please visit:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/new-seizures-and-epilepsy                    For more information regarding Keppra and side effects, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/medications/levetiracetamhttps://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effectshttps://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/medications-and-moodLearn more about nocturnal seizures and safety while sleeping here:https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe/safety-while-sleepinghttps://www.epilepsy.com/article/2014/3/nighttime-seizure-activity-will-your-family-ever-sleep-peacefully-again It’s important to remember that you are not alone. However, we know that being diagnosed with epilepsy can be upsetting and make you feel isolated. One of the most important things to help you live with epilepsy is to find a support network. Learn more about your community support, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/social-concerns . You may also contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org  , epilepsy.com/helpline , where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources,provide referrals and additional support. It is also important to recognize that epilepsy is more than just seizures,overall well-being and emotional health is just as important:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/emotional-health   It is common for those living with epilepsy to experience feelings of anxiety: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/challenges-epilepsy/moods-and-behavior/mood-and-behavior-advanced/anxiety-disordersThe Wellness Institute:  epilepsy.com/wellness   ,has many helpful and easy-to-use tips & resources for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and maximizing the quality of life for you & your family.  For practical & effective strategies to enhance your well-being, learn more here:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/wellness-support-tools Additionally,  there are plenty of things you can do to reduce these feelings and manage your epilepsy: 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: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryHave a seizure alert device: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf  

Hi Mike, We can title your

Submitted by MsWill723 on Tue, 2019-07-09 - 18:29
Hi Mike, We can title your segment something different.  What is a good email for you?

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