New here - compare notes

[Aubrey]

I am new here. I have posted a couple of comments already because I found this looking for info. about Vimpat. I have had epilepsy since I was 11. My introductory seizure was a tonic/clonic in the school cafeteria. A couple of times I thought it was gone for good. Now I am 34. This is my 3rd incarnation. Tegretol controlled it for 3 years and then I started having partial/complex and absence(?) seizures and breakthrough tonic/clonics, so I was referred to another doctor who switched me to Lamictal. That controlled the T/Cs (almost), as well as a majority (sometimes) of the other seizures. So, he added Keppra. No. 'Nuff said. And then we added Zonegran. Fewer, but still daily, or every couple of days. Now, adding Vimpat. I don't think that is helping at all. Now there are a lot of different issues that I am interested in communicating about, just to connect with people. Reading this site really reinforces that there are no two people whose epilepsies are the same.

[Nakamova]

Hi Aubrey --

Welcome to the site! There's a ton o' information here; you can search for topics and/or ask a specific question. There are also forums to chat in and places to vent.

You're absolutely right about the variety of experience when it comes to epilepsy. There are some generalizations that can be made, but when it comes to treatment, there's no guarantee that what works for one person will work for someone else. There ARE some strategies for coping that folks on the site have found very helpful, such as a keeping a comprehensive journal in order to track and modify potential seizure triggers (stress, diet/metabolism, sleep, anxiety, activities, overall health, etc.). There's also information here about complementary/alternative treatments, including diet, neurofeedback, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Best,
Nakamova

[Chris515]

Hi Aubrey - Nakamova makes some excellent points. This is a great site and everyone is so caring and helpful.

Yeah all of our epilepsies are different... even to a small degree. I guess the brain is such complex thing. I wish I could understand mine better.

I hope you'll enjoy the company on this site and find a lot of great information.