I don't understand how I got epilepsy

[bunkers1]

I'm confused...when I was young I was perfectly healthy and then I turned 16 and WHAM! I got hit. Epilepsy, bi-polar and fibromyalgia, all at the same time. Now epilepsy doesn't run in the family and I wasn't injured in anyway, I didn't get really sick. So I sit and wonder " how did I get this?". My doctors won't explain that part to me, all they want to concentrate on is keeping me seizure-free...but I still want to know. Is this a birth defect or something like that that can hide undetected for years? I don't know much about this even though I've had it for 11 yrs now, most of this time I've been worrying about when the next one would be. Now I'm doing better so if possible I'd like some answers.

[Bernard]

Hi bunkers, welcome to the forums! I've been away on business for a while, so forgive my tardiness.

I think that before determining "how did I get this?", it may useful to fully understand "what is the mechanism driving the epilepsy?". Some people can pinpoint specific trauma to the brain that caused scar tissue which is attributed to causing their seizures. Others don't have apparent scar tissue. There are so many different types of seizures and epilepsy. I'm sure the causes must vary greatly as well.

[Stacy]

I had someone once tell me that I got mine from an injury to my spinal chord. The only injury that I actually remember is falling on my butt (hitting my skate) at the rink when I was about 12. otherwise, mine is hereditary.