Glad to meet you

[ROBERT45]

I found this site as a result of my personal life with epilepsy and wanted to introduce myself. I have had epilepsy for 45 years--since I was 12--and like all of us have dealt with many issues as a result. I got kicked in the head by a neighbor's 4--5 year old son and started having seizures. The only kind I have are grand mal. I continued high school and graduated. In 1992 I had brain surgery that was a success and stopped the seizures. Information at that time gave the impression that a good education was a way to have a better chance for employment and thus a better life.
I finished my BA in 1990 and my MA in psychology in 1997. For me this better life didn't happen. 1998 the seizures started all over again with the same severity and frequency.
I lost numerous jobs as a result of epilepsy and have been on disability since 2003. With todays advancements in medicine and increased understanding of epilepsy and employment laws it doesn't mean that people with epilepsy can't get and keep jobs.
I didn't get married until I was 48 and have custody of my 3 yr. old step-grandson and 8 yr. old step-granddaughter. Today though I don't have many seizures.
There are a loooottt of other facts, information, etc from those 45 yrs. that I can share but won't take up the time now. If you want to inquire further I am open to any questions and discussions. Look forward to communicating with you in the future.>>>>>Robert White

 

[Sandie]

Welcome Robert. There are so many people on this forum with so many different stories. I have had it for approx 9mths but have only been diagnosed officially since Dec.2012. I have complex partial seizures and my symptoms are still changing and developing which can be very frustrating. I think it is impressive that you chose not to let the epilepsy prevent you
from studying and receiving your degrees. No-one can take that away from you and it is a shame that you, unfortunately have had to resort to disability. I am pleased that you are almost seizure free and I hope it remains that way for you. Take care.

 

[Crash]

Hi welcome to CWE and feel for ya losing jobs because off seizures,iv'e been in that boat a few times.I suffer from abscense seizures and tonics.I have had epilepsy twenty years this year,but hey that is life man.It's good you are almost seizure free,i am a hell off a lot better now than i have been at other stages off this shit journey.All the best,Neil.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi ROBERT45, welcome!

I'm sorry to hear that the seizures came back after surgery. Did you go back on meds at that point? If so how are you doing with any side effects?

Best,
Nakamova

 

[CQ:)]

Hi Robert,
Welcome to CWE.

Sorry to see that you continued taking seizures after the surgery but good to see your seizures are now almost under control.

I had surgery on my left temporal lobe in March 2011 & I am 2 years seizure free.
I am on 2 meds Tegretol & Keppra but I am currently going through the final stage of coming of the Tegretol. If all goes well I should be completely of Tegretol & just on Keppra by May.

 

[ROBERT45]

Yeah, I started out taking tegretol. I've taken it before; but it has significant depressing effects on the CNS. I was always slow to act/react. I asked the Dr. if she could give me something without the negative side-effects. She first prescribed Zoloft but that didn't work. Next lamictal and it has been really good since then. That was about 2003. I don't have any side effects that I can tell>>>thankfully. I've taken valium, phenobarbital, dilantin, and those two in combination, tegretol, mebaral, and others. So lamictal is great.