Gary with Epilepsy since 1967

[Gary Schneider]

OK, here we go. The Docs at the VA have me on 100% Compensation because this all started when I was saving the Free World in the Navy during the Viet Nam War.HA

To make a long story short we were coming back to the US on board ship,of course, when we stopped in Japan.

So, me being a kid, (oh ya, I joined 12 days after I was 17) I head for the Beer Joints when I get a shore. NO drinking age over there. So, I'd been in the bar a couple of hours or more when two Shore Patrol come in & things are a little fuzzy after that. Guess I might have been a little bit drunk. HA

So, I don't know why, but these two guys are in my face giving me trouble.

OK..The next thing I know I'm being hit up side the head & any where else they could hit me with those damn batons.

So, naturally I hit the floor after a bit & then they keep it up with them damn sticks & started kicking & stomping on me.

Well, lived thru that & luckily had a ship mate there to back up my story when I put in for Compensation & still needed a Lawyer to get it. The VA is rather difficult to get along with. HA Took me about 9 years to get comped. They also drag every thing along hoping you'll get tired of all the paper work or maybe die.

I'm still not certain what happened but I suspect I may have said something to them (HA) or they just didn't like the way I looked.

Any way, I've been having Tonic Clonic Seizures since then & had one neurologist say I start out with Complex Partials & then they progress to the big one. HA

So, guess thats about all I can think of but if U have any questions Please get in touch & watch out for the Shore Patrol.
HA

GARY

[RobinN]

Hi Gary, welcome to CWE
Sounds like what not to do when 17 and away from home. Perhaps a good ad for AA.
Sorry to hear that you have to deal with this, but glad to hear that the VA is taking care of your mishap.

Hope you feel at home here, lots of good reading

[Gary Schneider]

Robin,
Not really not an ad for AA, heck, I was just trying to be a drunk like everyone else on the ship. HA
Ya, I have not been a big fan of waking up on the floor. Sometimes can happen in the dumbest places. HA
Really antwhere to have one is dumb
GARY

[RobinN]

Yes my daughter is in HS and she has the majority of them there. So she can relate to waking up on the floor in algebra and science class, as well as in the quad at lunch.

Drinking is certainly a trigger, so I hope you have left that one on the shelf.

[Gary Schneider]

Yep. quit drinking a long time ago.
Was getting to hard on the head to get hit in it every now & then. HA
Na, just decided that it was about time to get rid of that habit.
Shoot, I think beer is 2 or 3 dollars a piece in a bar now.
GARY

[brain]

Gary

Welcome to CWE! Glad to have you here!
While I am not a Medical Doctor, it's not
a good idea to mix anti-epileptic drugs with alcohol as
it lowers your seizure threshold, so you're
very wise in your decision to quit!

So make yourself a home here and feel
free to browse around, learn, and find
lots of resources here!

[Bernard]

Hi Gary, welcome to the forum.

Glad you were able to sort out your login problem.

There are a lot of folks who develop seizures after traumatic brain injury (TBI). I doubt the VA will pay for it (or provide it), but you might look into EEG neurofeedback (see link in my sig for more info).

The Othmer's, through the EEG Institute and their Brian Othmer Foundation, are offering free EEG neurofeedback sessions to veterans suffering from TBI.

[RobinN]

Rebecca is going to the EEG Institute Gary, they have been great with this alternative therapy.

[p22denise]

Good Morning to you all...I was wondering if any of you had heard anything good about CranioSacral Therapy? I go to family yoga class with my daughter who is five and has E. and someone there suggested me to read up on this therapy. Do any of you know about it? Is it safe or does it work? Any help would be appreciated..thanksso much..

[RobinN]

My understanding is that it would be safe. Not sure if it works, but for some a massage is good and for others they have had a seizure triggered. Chiropractors and Acupuncture also have been known to help as well. My belief is that you need to find the triggers.

My number one push for health is nutrition. I do believe it is at the root of most of our ill health.

[Bernard]

...I was wondering if any of you had heard anything good about CranioSacral Therapy?

I wasn't able to find much information (in the form of scientific/medical studies) when I was building my chart.

Stacy and I have used the Headache relief from two tennis balls and a sock trick before. It's a form of CranioSacral Therapy and it is an interesting experience.

[Gary Schneider]

Well, here I am again. GARY. Thank you for all the responses & as for all those alternate cures for Epilepsy I belong to an Epilepsy site & everyone who has tried them has had no luck.
But, help may be on the horizon.
In the US there are 12 States that have Medicial Marijuana & it is listed in each state.
Does it work? Have no idea but willing to try but not at the present as I don't want to go to JAIL. HA
If U have any interest in what I'm talking of GOOGLE Medicial Marijuana & see what all sorts of things it's suppossed to help.
But,alas, the Feds can still get U for it as it's a State Law & in that State where one is regeistered the Police can't touch U.
There are a variety of diseases it is recommended for.
Also, Thanks to all that extended a welcome to me.
GARY

[skillefer]

Hi Gary! Welcome to the forum! We're a pretty friendly bunch. Feel free to ask questions or vent.

[Bernard]

... as for all those alternate cures for Epilepsy I belong to an Epilepsy site & everyone who has tried them has had no luck.

That's a pretty broad statement. What epilepsy site are you talking about? What alternative therapies were tried and by how many people?

... Medicial Marijuana ...

We have several threads here discussing marijuana as an alternative therapy. It's also listed in my chart.