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Hello! I'm Ilexa. I had migraine and absences throughout my childhood, but had my first tonic-clonic when I was 16. I was diagnosed after my second, when I was 17. I haven't had any tonic-clonics in five months or so now, but I still have partials daily, sometimes multiple times a day. I twitch and shake a lot.

My first tonic-clonic happened at my mother's house, when I was watching TV. I don't remember much about it - I never remember my tonic-clonics or a little while before and after them - but that I was lying on the sofa, felt agitated inside, and later was lying on the floor in a wonky recovery position being tended to by my brother while my mother called NHS 24. I went to hospital and stayed overnight.

After my first tonic-clonic, I began to have a lot more absences. I also started to have muscle spasms and twitches, and started to have various simple partials, the most common of which being uncontrollable eye movements.

The second one came three months after that. I got up at night for the loo, blacked out, and woke up in an ambulance. Apparently I'd lost continence and my mother joked about the amount of carpet shampoo she'd need. Anything to lift the mood.

Shortly after that, I was admitted to a psych ward for psychosis and a mixed state. I was later diagnosed bipolar I, then finally schizoaffective. It was decided that I shouldn't wait to get out to go for an EEG. The psych ward staff took me for an EEG, and, when they tested me with the strobe light, I had my third tonic-clonic. My memory didn't come back for a long time after that one, and I had to stumble through the psych ward to my room in a hospital gown with glue in my hair. Not my finest hour.

After a further MRI, I was given my diagnosis, idiopathic epilepsy.

I was first given lamotrigine, but I had a lot of partials and a couple tonic-clonics on it, so valproate was added. I haven't had any tonic-clonics since starting valproate. However, I always fear that each partial could be the beginning of one. They're humiliating, but I don't care so much about the inconvenience to me of the seizure as I do about the effects on others. I'd hate to break something or injure someone while fitting.

That's me. :)
 
ilexa margareta

Welcome to C.W.E a place where we can relate to your feelings, everybody will try and answer your questions as you will help us. Sit back, look around you would be surprised at what you find.
 
ilexa margareta

Welcome to C.W.E a place where we can relate to your feelings, everybody will try and answer your questions as you will help us. Sit back, look around you would be surprised at what you find.

Thank you for the welcome! I have two epileptic friends in real life, but we don't talk about it much. A place to speak freely about my epilepsy-related feelings is nice.
 
Hi ilexa and welcome to CWE!

Does your neuro know that you are still being bothered by a lot of partial seizures? Might be worth checking in in case there's a different med or combination of meds that might help.

Make yourself at home -- there are lots of interesting forums and threads to check out here. Here's a good one to start with: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

Best,
Nakamova
 
ilexa margareta

You picked the right place and if you need to blow off some steam there is the padded room for members. Enjoy yourself.
 
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