Greetings,
I am new to this community but would like to introduce myself and a little of my journey with epilepsy.
I have had E since 1970. It never stopped me from participating in extra curricular activities, nor was it used to gain special favors. Over the years I have been on a number of different medications, not all have been good for me. What has been the most consistent has been Dilantin.
I was married in 1995, and had been seizure free for about 15 years until 2008. Over the years, the primary seizures I had were absence and tonic clonic. Most recent I had a myoclonic.
Recovery following my seizures are much harder and longer. Following a seizure in January of 2011, we purchased a building for our ministry in April of that year. At that time, there was some renovation that needed to be done. All I was able to do was put a cleaning wheel on my drill and sit on the floor for an hour or hour and a half and I was done for the day.
I couldn't put my finger on what was going on, but would simply tell people my brain wasn't normal. I struggled with short term memory and had no interest talking with anyone including my family. While on lamictal and topamax, I found myself suicidal at times. Those were some very dark days, days I have no interest in returning to.
Prior to my seizures resurfacing in 2008, i was much more out going, and would talk to anyone. This too has changed. I find myself much more reserved and am now in the process of adjusting to a new normal.
There has been a fair amount of criticism from family and friends, which has made this journey that much more lonely.
I recently got plugged into a couple of support groups which has been tremendously helpful. I have been separated from my wife since September and dearly miss my kids and family.
Blessings to you,
Steve
I am new to this community but would like to introduce myself and a little of my journey with epilepsy.
I have had E since 1970. It never stopped me from participating in extra curricular activities, nor was it used to gain special favors. Over the years I have been on a number of different medications, not all have been good for me. What has been the most consistent has been Dilantin.
I was married in 1995, and had been seizure free for about 15 years until 2008. Over the years, the primary seizures I had were absence and tonic clonic. Most recent I had a myoclonic.
Recovery following my seizures are much harder and longer. Following a seizure in January of 2011, we purchased a building for our ministry in April of that year. At that time, there was some renovation that needed to be done. All I was able to do was put a cleaning wheel on my drill and sit on the floor for an hour or hour and a half and I was done for the day.
I couldn't put my finger on what was going on, but would simply tell people my brain wasn't normal. I struggled with short term memory and had no interest talking with anyone including my family. While on lamictal and topamax, I found myself suicidal at times. Those were some very dark days, days I have no interest in returning to.
Prior to my seizures resurfacing in 2008, i was much more out going, and would talk to anyone. This too has changed. I find myself much more reserved and am now in the process of adjusting to a new normal.
There has been a fair amount of criticism from family and friends, which has made this journey that much more lonely.
I recently got plugged into a couple of support groups which has been tremendously helpful. I have been separated from my wife since September and dearly miss my kids and family.
Blessings to you,
Steve
