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Terri Hendrix

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I'm Terri Hendrix. I have a twenty year history of grand mal seizures and simple partial seizures. I have tried several medications. I have tried alternative medication as well. Acupuncture has worked the best. At this time, I am on Keppra and Lexapro. Due to my medical history, I do not have insurance. I pay out of pocket for the name brand drugs. I'm having a rough go at it, but feel the answers for this are around the corner. I do wish my doctor would embrace alternative measures like increased magnesium or fish oils. Lots of times I feel very alone with this. I get down about this as well. I fear memory loss and wish to pave the way for a brighter future. My doctor tends to want to medicate me too much. That is not an option for me. I fight to have a good attitude and look forward to good health. I know it's possible.
 
Welcome Terri

There's a lot of people here that seem to be trying all sorts of alternative practices. I've tried acupuncture too & it helped but having moved I have to find a new practitioner. I know Robin has been very successful with her daughter using diet & certain supplements.

I've had seizures all my life & am at the point that I've just accepted that the neurologists of western medicine are only trained in using drugs & don't really accept the alternatives, though some are less judgmental than others.

Look around & see what you find and make yourself at home. You might be interested that in the library is a "history book" that documents peoples experiences with the alternative treatments they've tried.
 
Welcome Terri!

You have found a great place filled with a lot of fantastic people who can always provide advise if you ask or an ear if you need to rant. Make yourself comfy! :hello:
 
:cheers:

Welcome Terri.

You didn't mention where you are from, but if from the states you can contact the makers of Keppra and they may be able to help you out. More of the big drug companies are setting up programs for the uninsured. Also, contact your closest Epilepsy Foundation. They may be able to give you more direct help.

In the meantime, sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee.

:cheers:
 
Hi Terri, welcome!

Are you saying that companies won't insure you because of your epilepsy? Isn't that illegal?

Anyway, welcome to CWE. There's a wealth of ideas here about ways to be proactive about your health. One useful thing is keeping a seizure diary to track seizures, meds, side effects, and anything that seems like it's a trigger -- it could be fatigue, or something in your diet, or something not in your diet. It could be hormonal, or environmental, or emotional, or a combination of things. But if you can isolate a trigger, then you try and avoid it, and potentially reduce your seizures and/or your meds.

Best,
Nakamova
 
Hi, Terri,

Welcome to CWE!

It stinks that you live in a state that allows insurance companies to turn you down based on a pre-existing condition. I wonder if Obama-care will fix that eventually? In the meantime, I'm hoping that you are finding affordable care.

Here's a great string on getting free/discounted meds:
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/when-you-cant-afford-medication-1452/

I'm glad you are here. The forum is full of great people. Now you are one of them. :)
 
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