Epilepsy

[livingwith]

I was diagnosed with epilepsy seizures when I was three years of age. I am now 16 years old and I cant get a drivers license and I cant do anything a normal 16 year old would do. Because the more stuff I wanna do is limited by my seizures. I feel that my seizures are taking over my life. I been on medication ever since I was diagnosed with these seizures My neurologist said I would out grow them in a time being after I went through a stage in early adulthood (puberty) but puberty has came and g...Read the full article

[susuClemens]

I have had seizures since I was 13 years old. I am now 45. My seizures are pretty much controlled by medications. I didn't get my license until I was 22 years old but I have a wonderful father that has taken me everywhere and always been there for me. I remember feeling your frustrations and not knowing what to do. You just want one day where there is no medicine and you can be like everyone else. It is very, very hard to accept the condition, not use it as a crutch and also to not get depressed - the medication doesn't help that, it actually adds to the depression and tiredness you feel. A few options - work as hard as you can in school, if they offer tutoring - take advantage of it. You will have to work harder than other kids to even get ok grades but the thing is to do it. Remember that no matter how tired or depressed you feel there is hope. There are new medications all the time - keep changing them until you get one that works for you and has the least amount of side effects. Research and learn what you are up against. Be nice, be friendly, accept your condition and overcome it with a positive outlook and surrounding yourself with people that are also positive. Go to church where people are supportive and get involved in activities outside of school if you cannot participate in school related activities. Do a lot of running. It is something you can do by yourself, you can participate in marathons and 5K or mile road races or you can get someone to run with. Don't ever drink and definitely wait until the right time to drive. You would never want to hurt an innocent person on accident and have to live with that the rest of your life. Do NOT tell everyone about your epilepsy - tell a trusted few people and do not put it on any job applications (then again, don't apply to work as a crane operator either!) Please do not ever hurt yourself, God put you here for a reason, you're a part of His plan and your epilepsy is a part of you. Don't give up because you are not alone - not ever. :) SuSu

[gls1969]

HI THIS IS GLS1969 ,I STARTED TO HAVE SEIZURES WHEN I WAS 15 YRS OLD ,I HAD TO QUIT SCHOOL WHEN I WAS 18 YRS OLD .DO NOT QUIT SCHOOL THAT WOULD BE BAD .I LEFT SCHOOL FOR A LOT REASONS . I WAS HAVING UP TOO 15 OR MORE SEIZURES AMONTH SOME TIMES I WOULD HAVE UP 26 IN ONE DAY . THE MEDICINE THAT I WAS TAKING DID NOT WORK .SO IN 1988 I MOVED TO RICHMOND ,VA. A FRIEND HELP ME GET A JOB WERE HE WORKED, I WAS 18 YRS OLD I COULDN'T DRIVE A CAR .I KEEP GOING TO MY DOCTOR FOR ABOUT 4YRS . NOTHING WORKED . IN 1992 A FRIEND I WORK WITH GAVE ME A NEWS PAPER ART. ABOUT A HOSPITAL IN RICHMOND THAT WAS DOING RESERC.ON EPILEPSY ,SO I ASK MY DOCTOR TO MAKE ME AN APPOINTMENT . IN AUG. OF 1992 THEY FOUND A BRIAN TUMOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BRIAN . IN NOV OF 1992 I HAD MY FRIST SURGERY SO THAT THEY COULD DO THERE TEST ON MAPPING THAT AREA OF THE BRIAN 5 DAYS LATER THEY REMOVED THE TUMOR . I WENT BACK TO WORK IN DEC. 1992 ONE MONTH LATER . MAY OF 1993 I GOT MY DRIVERS LICENSE .IN 1996 I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL TO GET MY GED . SCHOOL IS VERY IMPORTENT . AND I GOT MARRIED TOO SOME ONE SPECIAL TO ME . WE MOVED BACK TO TENN. IN 1997, WE HAVE 2 CHILDERN . I HAVE A GOOD JOB AT ONE OF THE WORLDS LARGEST ALUMINUM CO. AND I OPERATE A VERY LARGE CRANE AND OTHER LARGE EQUIPMENT . I AM 38 YRS OLD NOW . (SUSUCLEMENS- IS WRIGHT THERE IS HELP OUT THERE AND THESE PEOPLE WILL HELP YOU.) JUST DONT GIVE UP TALK TO YOUR FAMILY ,PEOPLE AT CHURCH ,TALK TO GOD .THEY WILL HELP YOU .