Hello!

[brau]

Hi,

My name is Bruno, and since almost 20 years my sister has had epilepsy. I think cause it happened when I was very little I got traumatized with it. For years during my childhood until my adulthood I have feared of having the same condition as her.

Fortunately her generalized seizures are controlled (until today when she had two in a matter of hours, apparently cause of an overdose of copper through a Chlorophyll concentrate).

I learned to live with it, she rarely had partials and generalized ones were triggered by her skipping her medication, which happened very few times.

About 5 years ago her partials were getting more common, but I could live with them, then she did something stupid and tried to take out her medication, which of course led to a generalized seizure. She had a partial which evolved into a general seizure, since then I've been super afraid whenever she has a partial.

This got worse a couple of months later, when she had another general, and after that I went out with her. While I was driving the car she had another general (first time she had two in one day) and I took it very calmly, but since then I've been much more afraid and scared of her seizures.

There's also an attitude problem, she can sometimes be very sweet, and sometimes super agressive, to the point of getting physical, this has tore appart our relationship, which used to be ver close. Recently, a life decision taken by me has turned her very hateful towards me.

I also feel horrible for my mom, she just can't get over the fact that my sis has this condition, and she cries a lot and suffers so much it breaks my heart.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Bruno, welcome to CWE!

It sounds like your sister is struggling with seizure control -- has she talked to her doctor recently about changing her meds? When she skips her meds, is it because she doesn't like the side effects? If so, her neuro should be able to recommend meds that may work better for her. Her "attitude problem" could be related to her meds (which can affect moods), as well as seizure activity.

It sounds like you care very deeply for your sister. Keep in mind that epilepsy can be tremendously stressful -- for you and other family members, but primarily for your sister. Keep the channels of communication open, but don't try and force her to change. If you can, encourage her to talk to talk to her neuro to find ways to make things better -- for you all.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[brau]

Nakamova, we have an appointment with the neuro in a couple of days, and as you say, we're encouraging her to talk to the neuro and find ways to make this better and maybe get rid of Keppra.

She doesn't skip her meds anymore, she's quite conscious that she needs to take them, but she is quite uncomfortable with having to take them.

We think it's Keppra the one causing her attitude issues, and also a long story of family problems.

Thanks for your support.

 

[marths]

welcome.
Your sister is so fortunate to have such a very caring brother such as yourself looking out for her.Tell your mom to hang in there it is not always easy for family members who care and want to help you to cope at times.I don't know much about keppra apart from most people calling it' kerage' since i have never taken it. taking lamictal.

I agree with Nakamova, talk to her doctor about her meds and what's happening with her.I hope you all have an improved outcome.

 

[QueenieKP]

Welcome to CWE. I hope that when your sister sees her neuro she is able to discuss her mood swings as it may well be an issue with her medication as well as adapting to general life changes.

Best of luck to you all.

Q

 

[BrandiBrat]

Hi Brau, welcome to CWE! I hope that by now you and your sis have had the chance to see the doc. I'm sorry for the effect that E has had on your family. You sound like a wonderful brother to her and she is fortunate to have you as support. Keppra can be great for seizure control but tough for emotional control. When I was on it I wanted to hurt everyone around me so my neurologist took me off it since it wasn't doing much to control either.
I do hope that all of your/her concerns were expressed during her visit to the doctor and things begin to improve soon.

 

[cadsgj]

Brau, welcome to CWE. I can certainly understand where you and your family are at as I have been living that life for near 20 years too. Me the seizure guy, my wife in a situation your are in, and our family. One thing I can say is to learn if possible when certain things are getting ready to come about. Me, I start feeling a certain way when possible seizures are coming... not that they do come but I know they quite possibly may. Well me, I am incredibly lucky in that probably 80% of the times a seizure may come, I know ahead of time. When a seizure for the most part is not coming I am in a much better mood, and when a seizure is probably on its way, well, I am not the most pleasant one in the house 8)

I guess things may also be slightly different when they change my medication here soon. Either way, I think we learn just when the good days are and when bad days come. What I think my wife has learned here in the last 10 years... bad days ignore GJ... good days, "hey, what do you want to do."

I hope things get better with you, your sister, and your family. I know aside from my wife, the family has learned just when to ignore GJ.