Hello all !

[DustinHayden]

My name is Dustin, Hayden is my middle name. i came across this site tonight looking for info on people with epilepsy. My soon to be wife has epilepsy. To be rather blunt Jessica and i want a family of our own but i fear that we will not be able to have childern. We have lost one child this past Oct. and this has lead both of us down a sad path but we are working togather to over come our fillings of anger and depression. Not only im i here for information but also for myself. Im unable to find people in my area of Texas to speak with about our issue and i fill lost and unsure.

I can not wait to learn and meet new people ! Im looking forward to speaking with you all at some point.

Now alittle about me. Im 25 and im still in college. I have been holding myself back for afew years now so im able to play rugby as long as i can while in school. Jessica and i both goto the same college that is how we met. My mother is a teacher and my father is a rancher. I study and work in the fields of Botany and Mycology.

You will all soon see that grammer and spelling are not my fine points at all. Please forgive me ahead of time and if say something that comes off as odd or you cant understand me please point it out. I do not mind at all.

[epileric]

I personally see no reason why you & your fiancee can't have kids- at least as far as the seizures are concerned.

Do you know what medication she's on? I know that valproic acid (also called depakene, depakote or depakon) is associated with birth defects but there are other medications that carry much lower risks.

[DustinHayden]

Thats the one thing i did not say. Her meds are the main reason we are having a hard time. we have spoken to her doctor and we are hoping for something on the upside soon.

Im not sure how to even spell the meds she is on but the 3 she is taking so far are the only 3 that keep her from having seizures.

[epileric]

Does she have a neurologist or is her doctor just a GP?

A neurologist would be more familiar with what medications are least likely to cause problems as well as what other alternatives there might be.

[DustinHayden]

Does she have a neurologist or is her doctor just a GP?

A neurologist would be more familiar with what medications are least likely to cause problems as well as what other alternatives there might be.

We see both a neurologist and her general practitioner. The GP for different reasons.

[Nakamova]

Hi Dustin, welcome to CWE!

We have quite a few members with children -- I hope they will chime in. The meds are tough to deal with. We can't do without (in most cases), but they do affect quality of life. As Eric says, some meds are safer than others, so perhaps your wife can make a switch that will help.

Best to you both,
Nakamova

[DustinHayden]

Thank you for the welcomes. I have spent most of the day reading older posts and threads. Lots of great info here.