Diabetes and Epilepsy struggles

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M

Missing Mustangs

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I am wondering how people get through this without feeling alone. It is difficult to be strong.
I was diagnosed with Diabetes when I was 13 months old, that was a struggle its true. But I feel as if the epilepsy and low blood sugars are mixing to create more seizures. And the care of both disabilities are causing problems for the other disability. With the insulin reactions and seizures it is impossible for me to be a dependable worker and keep a job or drive.
Not being able to drive...causes a lot of issues for me. And I am jealous of people who can and feel bad for the people who have to be my drivers. I wonder if anyone knows of ways or ideas on ways to be able to drive or to keep work? Id really like to be able to do these things.
I also wonder if there is anyone else who has both diabetes and epilepsy? Id really like to know
 
I have Epilepsy and Type 1 Diabetes. My seizures started when I was 22 years old. I had a career in the airlines at the time and my plans back then were to travel and see the world. My career only last for 5 years because the seizures increased. They started as SP, CP and slowly became TC seizures. I eventually had a temporal lobectomy and was seizure-free for only 14 months. Then the seizures came back with vengeance! So did the depression! The docs tried me on SO many different meds for the seizures and for the depression. Nothing helped!! Finally I had the VNS for the seizures. It has helped some. But the depression still never went away. So the shrink I was seeing started me on a small dose of Zyprexa (an anti-psychotic) and I thought I was going blind. I went to my eye dr. and she said I had Type 1 Diabetes. So I stopped taking the Zyprexa..... the Diabetes is here to stay. I now have to take insulin shots daily on top of my maximum amount of AEDs.

I haven't been able to work for years nor drive. I stay busy at home with writing or learning new things (right now it is quilting). I left my pilot husband 8 years ago, so I'm on my own. I live close to the Light Rail so I can get to and from places I need to go. I got tired of asking others to take me places, so I moved closer to downtown to be near public transportation. My endocrinologist and epileptologist are both at the University Hospital downtown, so that makes it much easier for me to get to both. Plus they both can see my records at the same hospital on their computers. My endocrinologist is great in helping me keep my A1c levels even because he knows that going below 7 for me could bring on seizures. He works with my epilepsy dr. on that. Everyone needs to work TOGETHER with YOU! Remember, your docs are WORKING FOR YOU!! My docs ask me if I like their idea or not and if not we discuss it.
As far as you keeping your work, it depends on how bad the seizures are and what type. Are you seeing a specialist?
 
I'm not seeing a specialist no...I just wouldn't know how to make money if I didn't have a job. I have complex partails, Grand mals, Some clonic tonics, and I stare off into the distance a lot and have a lot of tremors. I am EXHAUSTED after words every time. I am sorry about what happened to you. But I give you props for being so strong :clap: I am currently unemployed I don't know if I can afford a pill specialist. My doctors don't really listen to me or each other they believe they are right a lot. Seems like a never ending battle.
I wouldn't know how to get an apartment in town because I've never had anything more than a minimum wage job, and am considered an undependable worker, so I cant keep my job. I wouldn't know how to afford that either. A battle that never ends...I admire that you can do that. Wish I could:rock:
 
I'm not able to work because of my seizures but .
I've was diagnosed when I was 2 with epilepsy.
I've never been able to drive and you can't miss something you've never had.
I deal with my sz's as they come and I'm not ashamed to admit I have epilepsy or I might have one in public.
 
seagull, vns is Vagus Nerve Stimulator -- it's an implant a bit like a pacemaker for the brain. Works for some people, not for others. Unfortunately, if it doesn't work, it can't be removed.
 
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