just diagnosed as well at 27

[JessicaPan]

Hey everyone, I am new to this and is the last thing I ever expected to deal with. I had my first grand mal seizure 4 years ago when I was 23. The next one I had was about one week ago and since I had have all the test and spent a night with no sleep to have an early EEG. I just found out it came back positive and I actually had 2 seizures during the test (I was unaware) it almost seemed that anyone would have some kind of weird brain wiring after a night of no sleep, but I have a final consultation tommorrow at 1:30pm to find out exactly what I have in store for the rest of my life...I can't even describe the emotions going through my mind right now...I don't have any family near by and am kind of going through this alone. Does anyone have any advice of what to ask my neurologist tommorrow as far as medications, my driver's license, diet, ect?? I could really use the help!

THanks
Jessica

BTY, how do you put up a picture of yourself in your message?

[Bernard]

Hi Jessica, welcome to the forum.

On driving:
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/rights_driving.html
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/li...rivinglaws.cfm

Your neurologist will likely tell you which drug s/he wants you to try first. S/he should explain to you all about how important it is to take the meds at the same time every day, how they titrate into your blood stream slowly as they are metabolized in the liver, and potential side effects.

If you respond well to the drug, you will likely live a "normal" life like most anyone else. It's only when you don't respond to meds and cannot get full seizure control that life becomes a bit of a rollercoaster ride.


P.S. The picture that appears next to usernames in posts is called an avatar. You can change yours from the user control panel via the UserCP link at the top of the page. Look for the Edit Avatar link in the left side menu of the control panel.

[POSITIVEPERSON]

Welcome to the board JessicaPan. I am sorry we have to meet under such conditions,but
if I can be of any help to you ,I will be happy too. Your Dr will tell you the laws of your state and how long you have to wait till you can drive again. Each state has different amt of time you have to be seizure free before you can drive. I myself have never driven ,that was my choice. I never felt I had any perception,even when my szs were controled by meds.
I have had epilepsy 41 yrs ,since I am 11 yrs old , I am going on 52 in NOvemeber. the past 2 yrs I used homeopathy to treat my epilepsy with the minimum amount of anti-epileptic drugs. This past month I added the Gard diet so I could wean off the rest of anti-epileptic drugs. I am now med free. I just take homeopathy for the epilepsy and follow the Gard diet.

If you have any questions about anti-epileptic drugs, homeopathy or the Gard diet feel free to ask.

Riva

[brain]

Jessica!

We just said Hocus Pocus and poof our
images were there! heh heh heh! Just
kidding! Just as Bernard says how to
put up your Avatar or Image.

As far as Driving Laws goes; I would
like to add that every State and Country
are quite varied (some are lax and some
are quite rigid).

Nonetheless, as much as you or anyone
wants to drive, your Neurologist or your
Epileptologist would know when it is safe
for you to drive! He/She would rather have
YOU and the OTHERS alive than to hear
or see your name in the OBIT or FRONT
PAGE or on the NEWS! They care about
your well being.

Even I myself, personally surrendered my
own Driver's License without anyone asking
me to on my own for the first time in my
life; as I felt that my seizures or meds were
not in control and was in a bad car accident
(not my fault - someone plowed into us, we
were just sitting there at the intersection).

If all goes well, I "MAY" get my License back
or I "MAY NOT" - it would be up to the State.

Above all things -- THINK SAFELY!

[Birdbomb]

Welcome Jessica

You aren't alone! Sudden onset is not unusual and you may respond to your medications.

I suggest to find a support group in your area. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone here has been in your shoes at one time or another.

BB

[MeredithVS]

It looks like you and I are in the same boat! I thought the same thing when they told me my eeg result was abnormal. They told me though, that people who don't have epilepsy or seizures will only show signs of being tired and grouchy.
I don't know what happened for you, but for me I had 2 during the hyperventilation portion of the test. The only thing that let me know that something was wrong was when I would think I needed more air and try to take it in, I would really be too full of air and need to let it out or vice versa. the tech would ask me "what was that tremor?" and I wouldn't have an answer. I even had a pretty major one on the way out the door when I wasn't even hooked up to anything anymore! I was almost sent to the ER! (not that they could have done much....) They made me go home with my husband and rest and then go to my doctor.
No sleep is awful. I hated that part. I'm one who typically goes to bed at around 10:30 every night. But not only that, I had a lot of stress from: Wrecking my car on Thursday night (not seizure related, I hydroplaned), Having my parents tear me apart over it(my mom was so mad that she told me she didn't want to even know me anymore, she didn't mean it, but I thought she did at the time), the guy called me RIGHT before I went in to the room for the test and alluded to the fact that he was suing me although his wheel well was only dented and he told the cop and he wasn't hurt and drove off He got hit at about 15mph, and already being freaked out over not knowing what I was to expect from the test.
I was primed to have a reaction. Which turned out to be a good thing, because now they have the proof they need and gave me medicine to stop the problem.

I saw my specialist yesterday. After he asked me a bunch of questions about my life and how things have happened, he told me that my eeg was not normal. That I was most certainly having seizures. He gave me Lamicatl in this little month starter pack and then gave me the rundown of what to expect and about potential side effects. He then told me I have a 65% chance of never having another seizure if I take my medicine and work on my stress control.

He gave me a sheet of paper explaining the laws in Georgia.
Its not so bad.
Its going to be somewhat of a pain since I live 30 miles from where I work and 25 from where I go to school. There is no public transit to get me to either place... but its okay. My husband will be helping me I have a couple of friends who said they would help me if I get in a pinch, and my parents said I can stay at their house 4 days a week and they will drive me to work and school.

I think the biggest thing that I have learned from this experience is that it means you have to reach out and connect with the people around you, even if it means a new taxi driver.

Other than transportation, it doesn't feel like my independence has been compromised much, although I am still new to this... Living on your own will make it a bit harder because you don't have someone in your house to say "hey, can you help me get to...." But you aren't alone. The internet has proven to be a great source for me and it seems for everyone on this board. So you have people here you can talk to, and I'm here learning right along beside you... you can always talk to me. I'm near your age (25) and I'm going through almost the same things at the same time. It seems that we are only 1 day apart in most things involving these test and the results.

And even if your family lives far away, there is still emails and phone calls....
They may not be right next to you, but they will probably be supportive.

I feel like you are one step ahead. You acknowledge that there are things you will need to ask. I didn't even do that. I kept denying that I was having seizures, and then saying well, they are probably Nonepileptic ones.... but when I heard that I was indeed epileptic, I almost felt relieved. It meant a diagnosis and a way to treat the problem so I can move on. I just didn't know what all it was going to mean in the end.

My advice (because I wish I had done this) is to take a pen and paper with you. Write down the important things.
I realized yesterday that I have been given medicine but I didn't know when I was to start taking it! And with an MRI coming was I supposed to wait to take it? He told me when, but I was so overwhelmed that I forgot.... :-\

I hope all goes well for you today Try to get someone to drive you.

~*Meredith*~

[Bernard]

Nice post Meredith!

[RobinN]

Jessica - sometimes in your life there comes a time when you need to reach out and ask for help. I am not very good at it, but I have done it and it has been the right thing at that moment. In fact those people have stayed rather special over time.
I wish you better news, and I hope those you trust will show compassion and guide you to health.

Consider nutrition...

[maureen]

Hi,

I was just reading your story. I understand your frustration at not being able to drive. It really does cramp your independence. I was suspended for 21 months.
As much as I hate asking, I'm very independent, people were very happy to give me a lift, whether it be to the grocery store, to a doctors appointment, or home from church. I found a few new friends, people I just knew a little would offer a drive and we've gotten to know each other much better.
I also try and look at the bright side - I'm helping the environment by driving with other people rather than alone and I'm in much better shape as I've found that I walk alot!
Try and keep a positive outlook, I know it's not always easy, but feeling sorry for yourself takes a lot of energy.