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Welcome to the Coping With Epilepsy forums - a peer support community for folks dealing (directly or indirectly) with seizure disorders. You can visit the forum page to see the list of forum nodes (categories/rooms) for topics.

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CleptaK

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Hello! I'm CleptaK, I'm 23 and I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 21. I've found the past few years a bit tough due to the epilepsy but, slowly, slowly, I'm getting a handle on the seizures. I mostly have absences and sometimes tonic-clonic seizures.

I've had to stop my Arts/Law degree because of epilepsy and am looking at alternative ways to get my degree (for instance, distance learning). I joined to hear the stories of others with epilepsy, particularly to hear how people have managed study and work.

Look forward to meeting you,

Hoo-roo
CleptaK
 
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Cool, I get to be the first to say welcome to CWP! Hope this place helps you as much as its helped me! :woot:
 
Howdy CleptaK!

Welcome to the forum. You can get info on all sorts of stuff using the search option. There are specific threads about alternative treatments involving diet and neurofeedback that are particularly helpful. And feel free to ask questions and vent and chat as needed.

I think dealing with work and study can be one of the toughest aspects of epilepsy, not only because of the seizures, but because of the cognitive side effects brought on by the meds. I hope you get your arts/law degree back on track! It sounds like a fascinating line of work.

Best,
Nakamova
 
Hi cleptak! welcome to CWE. Trust me, working and schooling are both possible with e. :) I'm a school teacher, and have had tonic clonic seizures since I was 4...with a small break from the ages of 5 to 13. Then, it was fairly well controlled by meds till I hit about 33. :) Now, it's pretty well controlled again...following the birth of my very healthy little girl. :) My sister in law is a doctor, and also has e. She was diagnosed while in med school. So yes, working and schooling are possible.
 
Hello CleptaK,

Welcome to the forum! You'll find lots of great people and information here.

It is tough to go through school and work while suffering from Epilepsy. I had a lot of seizures in my university days, often made worse by stress and worrying. I took my time and got my 4 yr degree in 6 years, made things a bit easier.

I had a simple partial seizure at the start of my 1st year Calculus final exam. Luckily it was a 3 hour exam, I took a nap for an hour and then finished it off... I suppose I could have had reason to go home and take it again but I was stubborn.

One time I had a simple partial while trying to understand quantum mechanics in my physics class. As if that wasn't hard enough.

With the help of family, friends, classmates and a lot of persistence you can get through it.

Anyways, welcome to the site!

Chris
 
Hi there

Cleptak! I just wanted to stop and say hi.

Have you ever done a journal to keep track of your seizures to see if there is a pattern to them? Perhaps you can then find a trigger for them.

I've made it through college, worked in the restaurant industry with that 4 year degree, raised three children (all of whom are now in college) and am now a substitute teacher and writer myself. It's entirely possible to make it--but stubbornness is also a requirement. :) LOLOL :roflmao: And trust me, I have PLENTY of that. :pfft:

Be sure to check out all the nooks and crannies, the Library and the Kitchen are great for all sorts of information. This is a great place for support and to make friends, too. We are happy to have you here!

Welcome to CWE!

Take care,

Meetz
:rock:
 
Thanks for your responses. It's great to read your inspiring stories!

I completely agree Nakamova about the effect of medication on concentration. That's been the hardest thing for me.

I've kept a seizure journal, Meetz1064, and about 80% of my seizures are linked to anxiety and stress - I can't see a pattern for the other 20%.

Hope to see you on other threads - thanks again,

I hope you have a great day,
CleptaK
 
Have you

considered that you may have a food allergy? Such as gluten, soy, dairy or something along that line? Or that you may be allergic to an additive such as MSG?

That may be something to consider if you haven't already....
 
I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I haven't properly looked at my diet and any effect that might have on the epilepsy.

I also have mild cerebral palsy and I've experienced 'jerky moments' since I was a child, but we always attributed them to the CP. Perhaps there was some allergen in my diet, even then. I'll start looking.

Thanks so much!
 
There are

several diets that you can consider to help with seizure control:

LGIT, Modified Atkins Diet and the GARD diet are all excellent ones to look at.
 
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