How yunz doin'?

[Cheski]

I'm 25, seizures started back in Dec 2010, worse part about it was losing my license and in turn losing my job. This has happened more than once, :/. Really sucks for the people like me who were/are really smart but have no completed higher education, I was/am the kid who didn't use his smarts to get ahead I used them just enough to coast by. Never studied for a single test in all my HS career (up to and including AP Calculus). Drank my ass off in college and gave up after 3 semesters for dumb reasons (no a girl wasn't one of them ).

Joined the Air National Guard 08Aug2008. I was in the E/E shop which is electrical and HVAC. I can tell you I loved it but my buddy says I wasn't in long enough to hate it . Got Honorably (Medically) discharged Feb2012. Commonwealth of PA says 6 months no license from your last seizure. With no college education and not a whole lot of experience from the ANG, job market for me is spread pretty thin (as I know it is for most).

The disorder itself, is hardest on my gf. She has a hard time dealing with all kinds of stress but this seizure thing scares the hell out of her.

Time is running thin, I'm the new guy here so I'm not sure how this all works here. I'm open to any and all questions, I'm impossible to offend, there's no shame on my end. tty all sooner/later

 

[jyearta]

Hi and welcome,

Just wanted you to know you are not alone.

 

[Chaz1]

"Seizure thing scares the hell out of her." She is probably very tuned in and could be walking eggshells....I was terrified by my Son T/Cs (mainly nocturnal but not strictly), he is My Son 27 diagnosed 3 years ago

What really helps is education, research to understanding as much as one can..if you and your girlfriend know the type of seizures you are having, may scare her that bit less. Helps big time.

you could keep a diary on kitchen table and have her write anything she spots out of the ordinary, you too, all sensations out of norm and all seizures… highly recommend to keep seizure dairy (can be notepad) , treat it openly and talk abouty it..and this record can be critical when u looking back, helps when at the docs office...

U don’t mention the type of seizure nor if you on meds?

U could pick up some study - reinvent yourself, you sound pretty darn good at that, don’t stop now. Overall work experience, i.e. you name I’ll try it can be just as good as education; it was for me……. Gosh, a soup kitchen to keep u out there, if you are capable of course…

Warm welcome to CWE

 

[Cheski]

I do believe my seizures are tonic clonic but non epileptic. Lights, flashing lights don't bother me unless it were to be equivalent of a laser light show and even then that just gives me a headache which is nothing new and doesn't induce an episode. I haven't had any triggered by flashing lights. I've played video games and seen movies that I would think woulda/shoulda triggered one if I was susceptible to that, I don't flaunt with it dangerously or unneccessarily but so far no problems in that area.

I take 400mg Dilantin and just started 1500mg Keppra/day. I started the Keppra after I had a seizure while my dilantin level was 12.

The number one common factor with mine is just being tired. Before I knew the factors etc., I would have them the day after an all-nighter and now I don't do that anymore they're right before I go to bed (normal bed time) or while I'm sleeping.

My gf is very very bad at handling stress, she freaks out and gets stressed and scared really easily. I've never been this person, I can keep a level head in the most stressful of situations and I got even better with it after the military. It might seem a little backwards but I'm helping her thru this more than she's helping me but that's 100% ok. She's my little chipmunk, I love her, and we help each other in the ways we need each other too.

 

[jyearta]

If you think you are having tonic clonic that is a form of epilepsy.

The term epilepsy comes when a person has more than one seizure.

I glad to read. that you are on meds.

I great that you and your gf are there for each other, that's the way is should be.

There are many triggers, which I didn't realize until I joined this forum.

 

[Cheski]

ty

If you think you are having tonic clonic that is a form of epilepsy.

The term epilepsy comes when a person has more than one seizure.

ty for that clarification, i knew it wasn't directly related to lights flashing and what not. again ty

 

[Cheski]

And no one has any idea what the problem is.... EEGs, CT and MRI all showed nothing, no one knows what happened or why.... only evidence of my seizures prior to 01Dec2010 was low dilantin level and that day I had a seizure with Dilantin level in the normal ranges, so NO ONE knows what's going on anymore.

 

[jyearta]

It's not unusual for EEG and MRI test to come back as normal, this is the situation for most of us with E.

The way I understand an MRI is rule out something like tumor.

You doing good, keep asking questions until you find some answers.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Cheski, welcome to CWE!

Many of us never know the "WHY" of our seizures. Over half of all seizure disorders are considered without a known cause. I've found that the most important thing to focus on is being proactive -- maintaining good overall health, working to identify and avoid secondary triggers (like fatigue in your case), and staying on top of meds and side effects.

A great place to start her on CWE is this link: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

If you have any questions about the forum, just ask -- folks here are very friendly and helpful.

Best,
Nakamova