Epilepsy

[goldelf]

I have been in hospital this week- have been having seizures over the past 3 months and had a bad one the other day-i did not know that you can just get epilepsy in the middle of your life-am feeling quite scared about the whole thing-have had an MRI so no tumour but then had an EEG and i had some weird happenings in my brain...I have never experienced seizures-in fact i cant even recall them, all i know is one minute i am awake and then next thing i know the ambo's are standing over me. My potassium was low-2.7 and my sugar was low too plus i am underweight. Anyone else out there have epilepsy and lives a fairly normal life?

isabella

[GregH]

I don't have epilepsy but we both share insomnia! I'm sorry that you'e gotten this diagnosis but you at least have a diagnosis and can begin treatment. Seizures are often eliminated or moderated by medication these days - I'm sure you have a good neurologist that will assist you to find your way.

[goldelf]

OMG i thought i was alone on the insomniac thing!! Have you always had trouble sleeping and what do you do with the night hours?

isabella

[GregH]

I've had it on and off since my 30's and I'm now approaching 51. I used to do a lot more reading before the internet. I don't really require more than 5-6h sleep but there are times when I don't get it and I struggle to stay awake in meeting or seminars (the boring ones anyway!). I would prefer to get more sleep but it just doesn't come. Last-night (and it's still last-night) I went to bed at 9 and was up at 1AM so I'll go back to bed soon and try to get 1-2h more. I'd have preferred to say up later but we have guest that seems to be setting our family's schedule at the moment.

[goldelf]

I have had it a good 10 years now-strange too i can nod off during the day as well, but at night i am wide awak-not good for driving...actually i have been told due to my epilepsy i cannot drive for 6 months and we just went out and bought a brand new Audi Q7 so i am not happy that i cannot drive it
Anyhoo i will leave you to try and get a couple of hours of sleep at least-it gets lonely at night if you cant find much to do.

[jusdeb]

I have a friend who is epileptic and she has a normal enough life .. Being a girl she finds the whole episode thing more embarrassing than anything else .

I also know a young with Narcilepsy , now thats a good one . Ive been with her when she literally nods off and stays asleep for hours , only thing is she doesnt lay down when an episode hits so the fall is often quite dangerous .

Im on epilepsy medication for another brain thingy and theres no real side effects I dont think (Epilum) . It may take some trial and error but these days they can get it under control with meds so at least theres light at the end of the tunnel so good luck .

[Diane]

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, cant say I know much about it but Im sure once your medical team set you on the right track you will find things arent quite as dark as they appear to be at the moment.

[MadOzzie]

I have friends who have epilepsy and controlled with medication. A grandaughter has it. She has worked since leaving school and became a fast food outlet manager. She still helps out at the outlet but is currently a second year nursing student. Last year she had top marks (7s) in all her subjects.

Former champion Rugby League player and now Channel 9 sporsts broadcaster Wally Lewis had a seizure on air. Shortly after thsi he had surgery which apparently has solved the problem. Cricket Boadcaster and former English Captain. Tony Greig, has had epilepsy since he was 14.

MadOzzie

[goldelf]

Well being the loner i am i obviously dont know enuf people or watch enuf TV to hear about other people that have it-it makes me feel beetter to hear other people lead normal lives so therefore i can too once i have my seizures and mediction under control.

[jusdeb]

Yep your in a good time slot with epilepsy . Lots of different treatments and a better understanding of the condition .

These days no one will poke you with a stick if you have an episode , more than likely most people know to roll you on your side and call an ambo .