Epileptic Teacher

[StuartMilne]

Hi all, first time user here.

I was diagnosed with irregular tonic/clonic seizures when 14 and currently 33. I work as a secondary school teacher in what would be considered a demanding, inner city sort of school.

My seizures are very well controlled, however I have been through a myriad of different medications and strengths through the years. Having suffered quite badly with side effects. Currently I am taking Keppra and Lamotrigine and have not had a seizure in 6 years. However I had, for that duration felt very up and down emotionally, eventually trying to seek talking therapy about a month ago. Of course I then had four tonic/clonic seizures in a night, bit my tongue in half and spent a week in hospital.

My problem is going back to work. Although I am physically better (my doc gave me a two week note) and can talk OK, I don't feel mentally prepared and am actually quite scared of going back, not being able to cope and panicking. My seizures have no aura or build up, and I loose a good two weeks of memory. For example I can't remember anything I have taught this term.

If anyone else is in, or has been in a similar boat I would love to hear from you.

Stuart

 

[Porkette]

Hi StuartMilne,

Welcome to CWE! I started having seizures when I was 10 (54 now). Just like you I have been working in public school for almost 32 yrs. as a teacher aide in special Education.
I have absence, complex partial and simple partial (aura) seizures. There have been many times when I'm at work and I will have a seizure and sometimes walk out of the classroom and when I come out of the seizure I find myself in a different area.
I've had 2 surgeries to help reduce my seizures and just like you I tried keppra but the drug gave me to much of a temper and it increased my seizures so I went off of it. My Dr. finally did a DNA test on me after trying so many seizure meds and he found out I was drug resistant to all the meds out on the market so he put me on medical marijuana and that has help decrease the seizures a lot.
I have found that the best way to deal with my seizures at work is to be open about them. I have told all the staff about my seizures and the students by doing this if I do have a seizure it doesn't bother the students or staff. I also have made it a point to teach students about epilepsy and what to do if a person has a seizure. Since I've done this many students have spoken to me and told me that they have seizures also and some parents have requested that I work with their child if they have neurology problem.
Don't let your seizures stop you from teaching students. Take my word after 31 yrs. working with students both in High School and Jr. High I've gotten along well with them and the staff. The only problem I had was when 4 co workers complained to me about my seizures and I reported them to the Epilepsy Foundation which in turn brought a lawyer to the school and they were either fired for discrimination or they transferred to another school to work.
I wish you only the best of luck and May God Bless You,

Sue

 

[StuartMilne]

Hi Sue, thanks for your reply and kind words.

Living in the UK we have very limited access to medical marijuana, due to the huge rarity of my seizures I am starting to think they may be non-epileptic, but trying to get any doctor or specialist to go along with that is impossible.

I have been trying to contact occupational health/neurologists and G.P's all week to no real avail so am about to contact my employer H.R and just explain that due to memory loss/sleep deprivation/fatigue and anxiety I don't know how to return to work. The main problem isn't going back, It's knowing that I'll just be thrown back in the deep end.

 

[Porkette]

Hi StuartMilne,

If you are feeling tired you may have a sleep disorder which in turn can trigger seizures for some people. A couple of yrs. ago I was often waking up feeling very tired even though I went to bed early and got enough sleep. My neuro did a sleep study on me along with a e.e.g. and e.k.g. and saw that I was having seizures in my sleep and that's why I was so tired. You may want to ask your Dr. to do a sleep study and e.e.g. on you at the same time to check and see if you aren't having seizures in your sleep. I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You!

Sue

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Stuart, welcome to CWE!

Is there any way you can negotiate a part-time return to class, or have someone co-teach the class with you? That might also lessen some of your anxiety about returning. You might also consider stress reduction techniques such as meditation that can be done in short breaks throughout the day.

Currently I am taking Keppra and Lamotrigine and have not had a seizure in 6 years. However I had, for that duration felt very up and down emotionally.

Keppra is well-known to cause or exacerbate mood swings. It's likely that the Keppra is giving you emotional side effects or it's making them worse -- either way, it's probably not the right med for you. You should discuss tapering off the med and trying something different.

due to the huge rarity of my seizures I am starting to think they may be non-epileptic, but trying to get any doctor or specialist to go along with that is impossible.

Given that you had four seizures in one night and bit your tongue off, I'd say odds are that your seizures ARE epileptic in origin. It would be unusual for physical non-epileptic seizures (such as those caused by metabolic or cardiac issues) to take that form. And it would be extremely unusual for psychogenic non-epileptic seizures to take manifest that way.

 

[Jeanbean]

Hi Stuart,
I also have tonic clonic seizures and was a case worker and found out when I had a seizure with no warnings I would lose 2 weeks due to being so out of it and dealing with memory problems etc. I finally got out of the field of case work and do very easy food service a few days a week. I can't imagine standing in front of a group of kids and feeling in a panic. I wish you well and hope you are able to figure out what is best for you. I lost a number jobs as I wasn't able to do the work. I think it is difficult to deal with this and may be a good reason to file for disability. Best wishes, Jeanne