New to the community

[Dain Bramage]

Hello everyone.

I'm brand new to this forum as of last night, and I look forward to spending some time here poking around and putting in my 2 cents worth once in a while.
I'm not brand new to epilepsy, having been diagnosed with it 16 years ago. Mine is a result of a brain injury I obtained in a pickup truck rollover. (kids: don't ride in the back of pickup trucks!) I was 17 at the time of the accident, so I have an excuse for being stupid. I'm not implying that all teenagers are stupid, but I sure was! 6 months later I started having tonic-clonic seizures.
Over the years they have been mostly controlled by medications, Dilantin at first and then Tegretol. 2 years ago I started having break-through seizures and "seizure auras", so I'm currently working on finding a medication that works.
In the mean time, I have plenty of time to sit in front of this computer.

[skillefer]

LOL....you have a really great attitude Dain. Welcome to CWE. Feel free to chime in, ask questions, or just rant if needed. I also have tonic clonics. I think it's due to a brain injury that I got when I was 3 (kids, don't jump on the bed). I was really well controlled and had no seizures for about 9 years. Then, a couple of years ago, I started having I guess what would be called breakthrough seizures. It got to the point that I was having one every two weeks. For about a month I've been taking Magnesium supplements and Fish Oil capsules. I haven't had a seizure in a little over a month. Nothing else in my crazy schedule has changed....so I'm thinking that the supplements might just be the trick. Check out the alternative treatments thread in the library. It's a good read. And again...welcome!

[RobinN]

Hi Dain - Welcome!
I too like your attitude. I don't have E but my daughter does. Her seizures began at the age of 14. No known reason, other than changes in hormones. We too tried to find a medication that worked, but after 4 gave up, as it is my belief that they caused additional seizures, as well as very terrible side effects.

We have been doing neurofeedback recently with great results. I am quite excited about this alternative therapy. I have read that it can even be effective with neurological disorders due to brain injuries.

[Birdbomb]

Welcome DB

Glad your making your way around the board! Do you like cats? If so, I have a cat image you may like.

[ashmstng]

Hello Dain Bramage!
You will meet alot of nice and wonderful people that have helped me if you have any questions. But it is nice to hear you sound happy. I hope you get what info or the help you need. Welcome to the Board!

[Dain Bramage]

That cat's eyes aren't exactly equal and reactive, are they!

Thanks to all of you for the enthusiastic welcome. Indeed, I do try to keep a good attitude about life and everything in it, and I like to make fun of myself.

I apologize ahead of time for my stupid sense of humor.

[Bernard]

Hi DB, welcome to the forum.

[brain]

Dain Bramage!

You stole my line! LOL! I say that a lot!
I can see you've made yourself a home, but one
thing here - that bean bag over there is MINE!



Kidding! Welcome to CWE and make yourself
oh wait, you already did! So grab a bag of
and keep on posting!

[speber]

....man, your case DEFINITELY looks like a good candidate for neurofeedback and utilizing the brain's ability to re-train itself!

Check out the various threads they have here via clicking in the the 'tag cloud' at the top....or do a simple search. You'llfind some really good info!

I'm actually the biggest proponent of music therapy around here, and you might try different forms of music to see if anything gives you a sense of 'relief'...but I gotta say this seems to scream nuerofeedback!

Peace
Speber

[Elaine H]

Hi Hon

I hope you find the elusive drug, I sure didn't! 22 years later and I'm facing my 2nd lot of brain surgery, keep it all crossed for me eh?
This is a wicked web site, if you can't find an answer to your question here, or simply someone to talk to, you may aswell forget it! I hope you get as much from it as I have in the last few months, it makes you realise that you are not alone with this Godawful medical condition. Enjoy!

Cheers

Elaine x

[Duvexy]

Hello I just signed up to this forum today. I am looking foward in getting some insights from people who experience the same problems that I have. I have had seizures for 40 years and I am still researching it. I have not found a cure yet. I happened across this site doing research today because I had another seizure yesterday at work. So, I went ahead and signed up. I take carbamazepine 200 Mg which on Tue, Thurs and Sun I take 5 tablets and the remaining days I take 6. I used to take phenobarbitol but, I had horrible mood swings I finally got off that med, but since then now I have seizures every month. So, today I am at home resting and researching and will go back to work this coming tuesday.
Have a great day Duvexy.

[hawke86]

Dain,
Welcome to the forums. Everyone here is cool and nice. We all try to help each other the best we can. Again welcome. I hope you enjoy it here.

[CJR]

Dain Bramage~
So glad you made it! I'm sorry I didn't stop in and welcome you sooner. I was away for a Girl Scout camping trip. Like I said when on your blog...I think you'll find a lot of friendly people and helpful information here.
CJ

[BuckeyeFan]

I can see you've made yourself a home, but one
thing here - that bean bag over there is MINE!

Hi Dain Bramage - Welcome to CWE. Don't worry about Brain not sharing the Bean Bag. You can sit in my recliner. Your humor will be perfectly welcome in here. I really like the room format. That makes it easy to move around and match threads that meet your moods or needs at any particular time. We just added the lemonade stand for poking a little fun at ourselves that would not be appropriate elsewhere.

.................................... OK, that's long enough. Out of my chair.

[JanieNut]

Hi Dain -
I have one really important question.
WHAT THE HECK WAS THE NAME OF THAT COMIC THAT DID THAT BIT?
Do you remember the Dain Brambage bit? Or are you too young? I seem to remember he had a football helmet on sideways sometimes.
Oh well. Maybe I will google it.
Nice to meet you!

[tinasmom]

Welcome Dain -
Glad that you found us. This is an awsome site with wonderful caring people.
When you started having breakthrough seizures, was your medication switched from brand to generic or one generic to another? This can cause break through seizures.