Hello :)

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CatAttack

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Hiii!
My name is Cathleen, i'm 21 and from Sydney. I'm actually pretty scared about this, cause i don't trust people or let them in very often.

I've had seizures since i was 18. At the moment they are more frequent and not following the patterns they used to. I just really want to talk to people going through the same stuff. I don't feel like many people can relate (At least not those around me) and in a lot of cases, i've lost a lot if not all of my friends because of this. I'm finding it harder and harder. I've been on every medication with a terrible reaction for all. I've gained like 30 kgs. and lost a lot of confidence and a lot of things that make me, me. I can get very down at times and i really wanted to come here because i want to be better, and stronger and not let this stop me from being everything i can be.

And i'd also like to make friends that aren't going to feel like i'm some time bomb that could ruin their nights.

So if anyone wants to talk please, i would appreciate anything :)
 
Hi CatAttack and a warmest welcome to CWE. Although I do not have seizures, my daughter does. I (like you) have come to CWE to find people to connect with. I am sure you will find CWE to be a place of comfort and support. Again, welcome!
 
Hi Cathleen,
You couldn't have picked a better forum, welcome welcome.
What type of seizures do you have, and what meds have you been on? Have you been to a neurologist or eptileptologist, and have you had any tests? Let us get to know your background a bit and guaranteed you'll find friends in similar boats. All walks of life are on CWE, best place ever!

(((BIG HUGS))) on the side effects/weight gain. I never had problems with that for 8.5 years, until recently when my Lamotrigine was doubled. Not happy. It's only about 8 pounds but I keep my weight right on the button so it feels like ALOT.

As for other people not relating, they don't and can't. Pretty heartbreaking really, and very hard on relationships, but as I've said in other posts, it's a good way to weed out your true friends. To hell with 'em, you've got more important things on your plate. Taking care of ourselves and not worrying about other's crap is so important. Hard to do, but important :)

And I'M BESIDE YOU 100% on the losing confidence and the things that make you, you. Could go on all night about this but no need really, it explains itself.

No worries about ever ruining anything for us... we're all here for the same reason. Log in 24/7 to talk, vent, cry, laugh, inquire, play games, whatever!
This site and its members (all thank you to Bernard its founder) go to great lengths to form a support network that's so needed. So again, welcome and keep us posted!
 
You're all so lovely!!! Thank you so much. It feels so good!
I've been to a neurologist, a specialist, an allergist, pretty much anything that exists i've been to. MRIs, EEGs i've had. No one in my family has ever had it, I don't get an aura, I've never had anything like it until i was 18, and i don't have any lesions or tumors in my brain. I'm currently on rivotril and Vimpat, i've been on epillum, tegratol, lamotrigine, keppra, topamax and my neurologist put me on different combinations of all of them. He has said that Vimpat is my last chance - as apparently i've had all families of the medication available except for older ones that can promote hair growth and things like that that they don't use. I have Grand Mal Seizures... I apologise if i spell things wrong or name things wrong, i guess for a long time it was easier to pretend it didn't exist. When i used to have seizures i would stop breathing and turn blue, and usually begin to choke on my blood from biting my tongue. Recently they aren't lasting long enough for this to occur, however they've occured more in a short short space of time. I've had at least 3 months between them and now i've had 4 within a month. It just gets to you, when it's so out of your control. :(
I feel better already though, knowing there are people that understand and have the same frustrations, it's comforting.
 
Turn blue? Choke on your blood? Ugghhhh.

((((HHHHHHHHHHuuuuuuuuuugggggggggggSSSSSSSSSS!!))))
 
Hi Cathleen,

Welcome to the forum.
I'm also from Australia (live near NSW/Vic border) & you'll meet a couple of other Aussies on here as well.
 
Hi CatAttack, welcome to CWE!

I truly hope the Vimpat works for you. i t sound like your seizures are escalating in frequency, so you definitely want to get them under control. If the Vimpat doesn't work out (or even if it does), you might want to look into a non-medication approach like neurofeedback. I know we had at least one Aussie member trying that. More info about nfb here: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/eeg-neurofeedback-501/

Best,
Nakamova
 
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