I'm new here. Hello

[bridge]

Hey all.. I am new on here. I had my 1st grand mal seizure when I was 18 in my sleep. Never found out what happened. Took tests, CT scans, eegs, MRIs nothing showed up. Years passed, then, I am now 32, just 5 days before my wedding, I had my 2nd grand mal in my sleep, with my then fiance lying next to me. He called 911 and I ended up in an ambulance, jus tlike when I was 18. Coming out of it, not knowing what happened, they told me. I was shocked again, freaked out and started crying. I was put on Dilantin again, that's what I was on back then, when 18, then after 2 months, neurologist put me on Keppra, or what I ended up as the generic brand, Name brand is too expensive for me. I recently had another one, I think it was a lot more mild.
I kind of remember waking up like 30 minutes before I had it, feeling really weird, I remember looking at the time, but feeling super strange. Then, about an hour later, I wake up to my husband standing next to the bed, asking me who he is. He took me to my parents' and I stayed there all day. I don't remember having the seizure itself, since they only happen when I'm sleeping, but I do feel the after math. Total exhaustion, body pains and that just "off" feeling.

I just wanted to give my background real quick... NIce to meet you all.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi bridge, welcome to CWE!

If you haven't checked it out already, here's a great thread to start with: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/
It provides some good tips and basic information.

I'm sorry to hear about your breakthrough seizures, epilepsy has a nasty way of showing up at the worst times, doesn't it? Have you let your neuro know about the latest seizure? He may want to increase the the levetiracetam dose to give you a better safety margin.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Eli]

Hi and welcome!

I can completely relate....

I wake up to my husband standing next to the bed, asking me who he is.

...on top of that I often ask my husband, "Do I know you?" :roflmao:

 

[huskymom]

Welcome! Like you I have my seizures while I sleep. I guess it is a good thing because we are in our own homes and pretty well contained. The next day does suck the big one though!

Hope to see you often

 

[jyearta]

Welcome,

I hope you will find this forum to be helpful. It helps to talk to people who understand all that you go through with having E.

 

[Mungie]

Hi Bridge! I have just joined too, and even the few days since finding this site have been a lot easier to deal with! It's great, "meeting" new people! I actually LEARN lots of stuff too! My husband and I don't have to deal with grand mals (hugs!) But sometimes the complex-partials I have are really intense. My husband said that there were a few times I actually held my breath and started to turn blue! That scared me...and him.

It's great, having your parents nearby. My mom & stepdad live 5 miles away, and whenever we're worried (and Anthony has to work) I spend the day with them. Having family support is really important...and we're always here if you just need some "virtual" support!

Sending love from Oregon!

 

[Cardones]

Hi Bridge

So sorry you had another seizure, especially after so long of freedom from them.

Were you diagnosed with epilepsy when you were 18 then? Seems oddd that all your tests were clear and you had only had one to then be put on drugs straight away.

Have you been on meds for the last 14 or so years then? Are you booked into see a neuro to maybe have your meds adjusted?

Hope it all works out for you.

 

[bridge]

Thanks everyone. Ya, I haven't really remembered mine, since I was sleeping. But I do actually remember when I was younger having like odd moments, where I was awake, doing the norm, and all the sudden no one would make sense anymore, and it would seem like I would try to talk, but basically was speaking gibberish. I totally remember those, and always thought it was weird. Anyway, I just remembered that.

Cardones, he didn't diagnose me with epilepsy back then, said it could have just been a one time deal, but yes, he put me on meds right away, he had me on them for at least a year, maybe 2... I don't remember if he told me back then that i could stop or I just stopped on my own, so I just got put back on medication in September of this past year.

I did call my neurologist the next morning after i had my recent one, he said next time to go to the ER, which I feel is waste of money, if I come out of them just fine... I am taking 500 mg of levetiracetam 2 times a day. It seems to be working okay since I have been making sure to be on top of taking them always! I did forget the day before my recent seizure.

So happy I found this forum, hopefully it will help with everthing. I'll definitely be a regular...

 

[Ruth]

Hi bridge,

I am on Keppra (generic), too. When my neurologist put me on it, he told me that I had to take Vitamin B complex pills once a day. I buy them over the counter. Keppra deletes vitamin B from our systems.

You found the right place to be at, you are here. Bernard made CWE out of love for his wife Stacy. Stacy has epilepsy. That love permeates throughout the whole forum.

If you are creative, go to the Creative Writing Section in the Lounge Forum. You will find all sorts of nooks and crannies around the forum. All sorts of information, too.

 

[Cint]

If you are creative, go to the Creative Writing Section in the Lounge Forum. You will find all sorts of nooks and crannies around the forum. All sorts of information, too.

It's now called "The Writer's Cafe".

 

[Ruth]

That shows how long that I have been off of the internet.

I am glad that you set me straight, Cint.

I like the new name.