It's been awhile... VEEG and stuff

[RunningGirl85]

I think the last time I may have posted on here was after my video EEG like.... a month ago. After five days of being miserable, and a couple of small episodes toward the end, my results said... NORMAL. My neurologist is frustrated because the other neurologist said that the symptoms I reported were typical in temporal lobe epilepsy, and that those seizures are often difficult to catch on an EEG... so my neurologist said we're basically where we were months ago. The whole reason for all of this is to determine if my seizures are actually controlled by medication, or if my reported seizures are actually anxiety-related... This matters because it kinda determines what will happen with my military career. SOOO... he wants me to go somewhere that can do more in-depth testing (I guess putting some electrode close to the brain... eeeeeek). Anyway, even with the normal testing, he doesn't want me driving I told him I'm conscious during my episodes, and he said still... my senses are altered, and even a second could cause some problems. He is right in that aspect... I've pulled over on the side of the road when I felt an aura (didn't know what it was at the time, just knew it didn't feel right) back before I knew I had epilepsy. So... that's at LEAST three more months. Made me really question if I should just leave the military even if they don't force me so I can be closer to people who can help take care of me, or at least move to a city where I can get around without people driving me.

For those of you who've been following me and know my situation, I've been back working for the past six weeks. It's great doing it, but because I'm not in a unit specifically designated for people with medical problems, I've kinda been on my own getting to and from work, plus any other commitments. My command has been really supportive of me, but yeah... it's been sucking. We have no bus system or anything here, so it's not even a matter of convenience... if this stupid snow would melt, I'd hop on my bike like I did last summer. So basically... I've gotten absolutely nowhere in the past six months. And now I'm questioning if my partial seizures are actually partial seizures, or maybe I'm having less of them than I think I am. I KNOW some of them are partial seizures, but some I'm unsure of. I did tell my neurologist I have more activity in the week before my period, and a lot less the week after... Both of my EEGs took place toward the end/the week after. I also told him I think physical activity increases it a little (I've had a few instances while running where I've had some auras). Obviously during both EEGs I wasn't doing anything really other than hanging out in a bed... So my normal routine wasn't really existing.

WHew... long post! So that's where I am! On a positive note, I'm really glad that I'm working the job I want. Just passed a two-hour test last week that I needed to actually get appointed into the job (I'll be responsible for a decent amount of money, so the position has to test to get appointed). My commander did say she can tell I'm smart and I'll do a good job. So that felt really good, despite everything. If I hadn't gotten that position there's a good job I would've just said screw it... I'm tired of dealing with all of this, because that's how I've felt a few times (not like... killing myself tired, but just... not wanting to put forth any effort). Oh well. It's a good thing I live in a relatively central location on post, and I have functioning legs that can take me where I need to go - at least on the weekends when I can run to the store and cab back!

 

[Nakamova]

Sounds like a mixed bag for you right now. At least the docs are still pushing to get a specific diagnosis. Did they say when/where the more specific testing would occur?

 

[RunningGirl85]

Neurologist wants it done soon... of course, it depends on when Tricare (military's insurance) approves the referral, but that shouldn't be an issue, just might take a week or so, then need to get an actual appointment. The neurologist suggested the Mayo Clinic because he used to work there and he said he knows how in depth they can go. He also suggested Walter Reed if they have the right facilities. The Mayo Clinic would probably be BETTER, but going to a military hospital could be better in some aspects... i.e., they understand all the military aspects and implications. My neurologist did say he thinks they probably would have medically boarded me by now if I wasn't an officer. Probably true...