Newly diagnosed with epilepsy in the Air Force too
Hello, I found this website recently and read some of the posts on here about having epilepsy and being in the military. It's hard to find out information about this, or what to really expect. I was just recently diagnosed with complex partial seizure epilepsy about 2 months ago. I have also been in the Air Force for almost 15 years now, so it has been a huge shock ever since. What I still can't understand is how did I live my life for 32 years perfectly fine and then out of the blue develop epilepsy?!? Obviously, I'm still coming to terms with this.
My situation all started actually over 3 years ago. I was experiencing strange occurrances of what I have always called "mental pauses", where I would be in any random type of setting and would all of a sudden have this feeling coming on where I would sort of "space out", kind of staring or zoning out for 30 seconds to a few minutes max. I have always maintained total consiousness/awareness, but have been unable to interact and respond to people while it was happening. It only affects me mentally, and I am perfectly capable physically, just unable to speak at the time without uttering jiberish if I attempt to. Strangely enough, it always happens when I am very calm and relaxed. Usually at the computer at work, on the phone several times now, sitting at the table eating dinner, driving alone numerous times, etc. I have been trying to figure out what triggers the onset of these seizures, but I haven't been able to pinpoint it yet. It's never when I'm stressed or anything else that I can attribute it to.
When this started over 3 years ago, my wife and my mother talked me into going to the doctor to get seen for this on base at Lakenheath in the U.K. when I was stationed there at the time. I had a CT scan, an MRI of the brain, and a partial EEG at that time. All of the tests came back negative and I was given a clean bill of health. What's stange to me, looking back now, is how this was ignored and pushed under the rug after telling a neurologist all of the symptoms that I was having back then. It still makes me wonder if I didn't get a diagnosis of this at the time because the doctor knew what it could do to my career. Not making accusations, just curious. My episodes then were very spiratic and not very routine at all. After a while had passed, I actually made it about 18 months with nothing and out of nowhere I had a night terror that landed me in the ER one night.
By this time, I was here at Barksdale in Louisiana, and was referred to another neurologist who instantly knew what it was that I had, which is another reason for my suspision of the first doctor. I underwent a full EEG test this time and was diagnosed with complex partial seizure epilepsy. I was also started on Keppra that day and had felt like my whole world had been yanked out from under me on that day. I'll never forget it. Like I said, I have been in the Air Force for nearly 15 years now and also have a wife, who is a stay-at-home Mom and two young boys (3 1/2 yrs and 18 mos.) at home. I am the only source of income for our family, so it scared the hell out of me to hear this.
As some of you mentioned, I have an MEB (medical evaluation board) pending, which still hasn't been started yet, so I have been in search of answers on what I should expect to have come out of this when that day comes. That's what led me to this website. I've heard so many stories that all conflict themselves from different sources (not saying this website), where one person says everyone gets blanketly kicked out no matter what because of epilepsy, and I've heard I have nothing to worry about as well. I hope it's the later of the two.
So, I just wanted to share my story and say I appreciated reading everyone elses posts that have helped me learn some things and have given comfort in knowing that I am not alone with what I am going through. One thing that I still am curious about is, has anyone else out there ever had night terrors related to epilepsy? Is that common or normal? I have tried talking to my neurologist about this, but haven't gotten too much in response. I have only had one so far in my life and my wife had to call 911 to get me to the ER that night. I did lose consiousness that time and don't remember anything other that the medtechs in my bedroom trying to talk me into the ambulance, then later on in the hospital.
Also, with Keppra, I have heard the side effects of depression that it causes. I can definitely attest to that. I have experienced a lot of depression from all of this. I don't know how much can be blamed on the Keppra, or if it's just the coupling of this new diagnosis with my career's future in limbo at the moment with other problems at home and work. It's been stressful, whatever's to blame, to say the least. Thanks to everyone for the help.