Scared about starting meds

[munchy]

Hey everyone,

So I'm still in shock about the whole epilepsy thing... It's only been 3 weeks since I first saw my GP about the deja vu episodes I've been having for 6 years. In 3 weeks I've been referred to my Neurologist (which I thought would take 6 weeks) been diagnosed with simple partial seizures, (which I thought would take 6 months) had to surrender my driving license (which I hoped would never happen!) And recieved the letter from neurologist to GP advising meds (which I thought would take at least a week) So what I thought would take 7-8 months has taken 3 weeks!

Anyway, I'm due to start Tegretol any day now. I'm really worried about side effects and the possibility of having worse seizures than my usual simple partials. Has this happened to anyone else?

I think I'm mainly feeling sorry for myself, especially as I have a cold and my head feels very stuffy, so I'm going to go from feeling awful from the cold, to feeling awful from the Tegretol. Yesterday I was alone and convinced I was going to have a tonic clonic or something, it took me ages to realise it's only because I have a cold that I feel so awful! (I kept getting what felt like a wave going through one side of my brain, then the other side a few seconds later) Since being diagnosed I've felt like my brains a ticking time bomb just waiting to seize!

Just needed to vent all that, everyone I try talking to keeps telling me I'll be fine and it's nothing to worry about, but it's easy for them to say - none of them have epilepsy!


Thanks for listening!

Munchy xxx

[joan]

Hi Munchy, starting meds is a scary thought but the more you educate yourself, I think, the better you will feel. It is alot to absorb but you have found a great place to share thoughts and ideas.

Hang in there, better days coming*

joan*

[Crazy Monkey]

Starting meds can seem daunting, I have been on anti ep meds since I was 10 years old, so these days I don't think much about taking them, they have just become part of my daily routine. The only times I ever have any problems is when the neurologist's come up with a new plan to fight my seizures and start switching my meds around. No meds as yet have been able to 100% control my seizures.

I am very lucky in that I don't really get any side effects from my meds, with a bit of luck the same will happen for you.

[stilldancing_98]

Hey there. A reminder to get a flu shot. You sound like me when I get a cold or something. I feel like a seizure waiting to happen.I am sorry about your lisence. Sorry can't spell that one because I never had one. Try not to worry about the meds to much ok? You don't need the stress. I took teg. First med. But that was over 30 years ago. See, you just learned that is a med that has proven itself. It has been around for a long time.And it is better than having more seizures.It is scary.And I am so sorry you are dealing with this.But I know you can do it!

[skillefer]

Hi munchy! Starting meds can be scary, but just think, it might be all that's needed to make the seizures stop. So be willing to try. You're tying yourself up in knots by stressing out. Find a way to destress. And feel free to come here and vent. We've all pretty much gone through the same thing.

[Kansas Educator]

Munchy,

I was only diagnosed a month or so ago so am still adjusting too. However, I can say this. I haven't had a single episode/seizure since I started on Depakote ER a month ago. Mine are mostly simple partials with a few complex partials on very rare occasions (although I did have another type a few times years ago before we knew what was going on). I have had some stomach discomfort but it is almost gone now and a bit of fatigue but not too bad at all. Do what you need to do to get things under control even if that means taking medication and then get on with your life. It'll be okay!

Roxie

[Bernard]

I'm really worried about side effects and the possibility of having worse seizures than my usual simple partials.

[munchy]

Lol Bernard!!!

Thanks for all the sympathy lol! I think I'm really just feeling sorry for myself! I'm due to start meds on monday now, so I have a whole week to come to terms with it! Got my lovely EEG on Weds too, they told me to make sure my hair was clean so the glue will stick, sounds great! Does the glue come out OK or will I be going to work on thursday with lumps of glue still in my hair? Hmmm, nice look!

Thanks again everyone!

Munchy xxx

[Kansas Educator]

The glue will come out speaking from experience! Good luck.