Do you feel anxious living alone?

[Wobblez]

I'm dogsitting for a friend at the moment. This means i'm alone for several days. I've had a few simple partials today and generally that's all I have, apart from the odd complex. The neuro says it's not a seizure that's likely to cause you harm, but what you attempt to do if one occurs. Obviously I always get down on the floor or lay down if I get the chance but do you ever feel a little scared about going to sleep and hoping you don't have a big seizure?

 

[Loopy Lou]

I moved into my own place in July. I've been lucky so far in that I havent hurt myself too bad although I've had a fair few seizures. I even found an empty baking tray in the (hot) oven one day, no idea how long it had been there. Good thing my brain decided I wanted hot air for dinner cos if there had been food on it there could have been a fire. I've also learned the value of a coffee table without pointy corners. Shame I can't afford to replace mine!

I do worry sometimes about what would happen if I had back to back or prolonged tonic clonics, or if I injure myself, but I have to weigh that up against having my independence. I don't think I could live with my mum and dad again and I like having my own space. I keep in touch with friends and family very often during the day, they know that if they haven't heard from me to call round and check up on me. I also always text my mum before and after cooking and having a bath.

 

[Nakamova]

It could be my talent for denial, but I live alone (and work alone at home too), with no worries. My seizures (tonic-clonics) are controlled at the moment, but they haven't been in the past. I have had big seizures during the night, and at other times during the day (with mostly minor injuries). One thing that mitigates my solitude is having friends and family call to check in fairly regularly. That definitely helped after the most recent seizure -- it was big enough that I was unusually dazed and confused afterwards. A friend who called could tell what had happened by talking to me, and she got in touch with a family member who came to check on me and take me to the ER.

In some ways, it may help that I don't have any warning auras -- that way I can't get anxious about what I can't anticipate.

You might try doing progressive relaxation when you go to bed -- it's basically a calming ritual involving measured breathing along with progressively contracting and releasing your muscles starting at the toes and working your way up. You can read more about it in the book "Epilepsy: A New Approach". See [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Epilepsy-New-Approach-Adrienne-Richard/dp/0802774652"]Amazon.com: Epilepsy: A New Approach (9780802774651): Adrienne Richard, Joel Reiter: Books@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51p9fv6oOYL.@@AMEPARAM@@51p9fv6oOYL[/ame]

 

[Cint]

How ironic that I saw this posting this morning. I was in to see my neurologist yesterday and were discussing this issue. I've had the current VNS now for 10 years. I'm starting to get nervous about having a major break-through seizure because it could be time for a new battery. I've had CP's and TC seizures for years and the VNS has helped.

I was married for over 25 years in a tumultuous relationship, so had to leave for my own sake. Was I scared of living alone? You bet. But I felt it had to be done. I called the local fire dept. and told them of my dilemma in case I were to have a major TC. And my close friends know, so if they don't see me or hear from me within a few days, they call or come to see if I am all right. Some days/nights I do get nervous and think the what if..... but I have already suffered serious injuries/burns from hot water during seizures when I was still living with my parents, so then I think accidents can/do happen any time/any place.

 

[Loopy Lou]

That's what I figured too Cint - seizures can happen at any time and I could have had an injury or seizure at mum and dads just as much as I can living on my own. Mostly mine are nocturnal and there was numerous times I had a seizure at night and they never heard even though my room was next to theirs.

 

[epileric]

The last time I had a room mate was 1990. I've lived alone most my life & I love it. My seizures are usually just partials but I have had a couple Tonic/Clonics but they never scared me as far as thinking I need someone to live with goes.

There's really not much anyone can do anyway except give me sympathy & help me to the bed. They can try to move things out of the way during a T/C but most things that I might bang myself against are pretty big & heavy.

After having a T/C in public & seeing how much worse people can make things I think I'd rather be alone.

 

[CQ:)]

I was already living on my own when I started taking seizures again but I have never felt anxious or worried about living on my own. I like how living on my own does make me more independant & most of my seizures are auras & simple/complex partials which have never caused me any injury.

I live 30 mins away from my parents but I talk to my Mum every day. Before my surgery I used to talk to my Mum at less 3 times a day but since the surgery my seizures are currently under control so we have cut down a lot on our phone calls. I'm out most days so I often only talk to my Mum once a day after I get home, maybe sometimes twice a day if we forget to tell each other something lol.

When my seizures weren't under control my parents (mainly my Mum) used to worry about me having a seizure but they also know I have a great neighbour (just like another Nana lol) & a great boss at the place I volunteer at who both keep an eye out for me & will let my parents know if something is wrong.
I don't think I could ever live with anyone else because I like my own space & am so used to living on my own lol.

 

[Wobblez]

Thanks everyone. I know what you mean about having seizures while living alone or living with others. It doesn't always make a difference either way. I do feel a lot better knowing you all get around the problem successfully. I have a tip to share too. When I was having my first complex partials, I found them unnerving so I texted two or 3 people when I got auras. They then text me every half hour until I can walk/talk and feel okay again. It made me feel safe knowing at least one person should get the text and check on me.

 

[elizzza811]

I'd been living alone since maybe 2005 (?), until this past year when I got married. I had tons of seizures while I was living alone, and I guess at first I was anxious (no diagnosis yet), but after a while, the fear of being alone during these events kind of wore off even then.

I couldn't really expect anybody to calm my fears because at times I'm not sure if my own family believed me when I said there was something seriously wrong with me that doctors were missing, so maybe it was a blessing that I was alone? After one of these events I called my sister at like 2 or 3am, and her response was, "Do you know what time it is?" She never came over. Never ran me to the hospital. Nothing. All she did was make me feel like crap for waking her up. But if that's the way she felt, I think I'd rather be alone during an event (which I now know to be a seizure)?

My husband's wonderful to me - just wish I'd have met him 7 years ago.

 

[Wobblez]

Wow Elizzza811,

I'm sorry to hear you're not having much luck with a diagnosis or any support. What are your seizures/episodes like? Has your new hubby witnessed any? I'm still trying to get video footage of my seizures but they have the worst timing!

 

[valeriedl]

I'm home most of the day because my husband works. I do get a little nervous sometimes. I try to keep what I'm doing while I'm alone to a minimum.

I really don't cook on the stove or oven, I'm afraid that I'll have a seizure and end up burning the house down. I usually just heat stuff up in the microwave or toaster oven for lunch.

I'll get my husband to carry the dirty clothes down to the washer and I'll do them while he's at work then he carries them back upstairs when he gets home.

I don't like to be outside doing things alone because sometimes when I have a seizure I'll wonder around.

I usually don't know when I have a seizue, I just have it, blank out, then come out of it. Unless there was someone to see me have it I don't even know I did. Luckily I have family that lives next door so if I'm not feeling good they'll come over or I'll go to their place.

I've learned how to deal with things and do them while I'm alone. I know I can't just sit on the couch all day long afraid that I might have a seizure.

 

[davidmc]

My seizures are only simple partial seizures (well strange things were happening so I videod myself at night and had a "proper" seizure in it but most people still think I've only had sp's as I haven't told them otherwise).
But they got so bad at one point and the doctors and neurologists refused to do anything, I couldn't even make it out of my bedroom door without having a few.

I like my independence but it was difficult to shop so I was just eating whatever I had in, even if I didn't like it and staying in bed a lot as moving to the kitchen would mean several more seizures. Though I did go out to see my girlfriend.