Hello everyone. My name is Ben. I'm English, currently living in Sydney Australia. I'm 27 years old. I was diagnosed with epilepsy after I suffered my first Grand Mal seizure when I was 16 following an operation to remove a benign bone tumour from my skull. I have Grand Mal seizures approximately every 3 years (at stressful times of my life). To control my epilepsy I have tried Phenetoin, Tegretol, and I'm now on Keppra but will soon be trying a new drug as I recently had two seizures, making a total of 3 in the past 9 months (two after flights, hence I am staying in Australia until my epilepsy is under control). I count myself lucky that I am ok after the few days recovery period and that I don't have seizures more often, although it can be upsetting to think about having epilepsy. I suffer from short term memory loss, as well as several other side effects of the keppra. I have never seen anybody have a Grand Mal seizure even though I have had several myself (usually at night or late in the evening). I have found a little bit of love and understanding helps to keep positive about living.