Hello

[Aaron_G]

Hi
My name is Aaron A Galway, i live in London and i am a chef.

I am 27 now, but when i was 22 i came down with epilepsy, with no family trace, or reasoning for it.. I have GrandMal seizures "apparently".
The Dr has done all test's (all scans from hospitals and specialists, sleep tests and other types of tests.. and NO REASON WHY I HAVE CAUGHT THIS!!!) yet no sign of how or what causes me to have seizures.. i just get given some tablets to take, now i feel i am becoming dependent on them.

i have done allot of my own research, and epilepsy could maybe related to Aspergers syndrome.

any way.. i welcome my self.. and i want to know how i can deal with things with this random disease that has now started to live with me.

cheers

 

[BrandiBrat]

Hi Aaron,
Welcome to CWE although I'm sorry for the reasons that brought you here. We all are brought here for the same crappy reason, so at least we have that. I'm glad that you found us and feel free to make yourself at home. There's lots of really good information here!

 

[jyearta]

Hi and Welcome,

I have had E. all my life, but wasn't diag. until I was 18, I'm now 61.

It is scary to get diagnosis with this, it does change your life, but please do know that you are not alone. There are many meds. out there and we all react diff. to the diff. meds. It's a trial and error to find what works best for you, I'm sorry to say.

You will be OK. Ask any questions you.

 

[Sandie]

Welcome, Aaron. Many of us don't know the reason for developing epilepsy. We just have it and that's it. As far as becoming dependent on the medication, we are all in the same boat. Without the medication you will probably continue to get seizures and now your doctor/neurologist has the job of working out what is right for you.
Epilepsy is a condition not a disease and with the right medication you can lead a relatively normal life. It is just getting used to adapting to change. I am 53 yrs old and only got diagnosed a few months ago and have asked all the questions "why me?" "why now?" Good luck my friend, you are now a part of a very special family who are always prepared to answer any of your questions. Take care.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Aaron, welcome to CWE!

As the others have noted, for most of us epilepsy comes out of the blue, no explanation, no rhyme or reason. It's not something you can "catch," of course. Sometimes there's a clear cause like a head injury or illness, or it runs in the family. Everyone has a certain "seizure threshold", but for those of us with epilepsy that threshold is unusually low, and it doesn't take much to push us over it.

It may feel like a drag to take the meds, but as Sandie says "with the right medication you can lead a relatively normal life." Unlike neurological syndromes like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinsons, epilepsy isn't degenerative. It IS important to do what you can to keep the seizures under control, and that includes taking meds and avoiding substances and behaviors that may be triggering. There is a lot of great research being done right now, so who knows -- maybe in a few years there will be even better treatments out there.

CWE members can offer terrific support as well as a lot of anecdotal advice and info. here's a good place to start: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Aaron_G]

Great.. thanks alot for the replies.. let me get stuck in

:hugs:

 

[huskymom]

Welcome! Like a lot of people here, mine started in my mid 40's. Who knows why, I just like to think of us a special, and not in the short bus kind of way. (Not that I have issues with that either, I am just using that as a learning tool) Once you find the right medications, hopefully you will be feeling much better. Glad that you found us!