Following my incident in March I finally saw the neurologist who has suggested I take medication (lamotrogine -lamictal) as he thinks that it was most probably a seizure and because I have had something happen before, he feels that that is the best course of action.
He wants me to have an EEG before I start the medication, as this could affect the results. Whatever the results of the EEG though, he suggests I have the medication. My episodes aren't frequent though. The last time I saw a doc after what I now know was a tonic clonic, was almost ten years ago! I have had a couple of faints in between, but, again, pretty well spread apart!
The down side is that now I have a diagnosis of epilepsy, I cannot drive until March. I was hoping to get my licence back in September, but, that will not be the case. I understand the reasons why. He was very frank with me and highlighted the dangers of driving and also quoted the statistics of SUDEP, which I had never even known there was such a thing.
I understand too that driving is not just about me being injured, it is about other people, but, I was just in a bit of denial on the day.
The medication frightens me though. I am not one for taking tablets and the side effects look horrendous! I suppose it is about weighing up what is worse, the side effects from the medication or another incident like the one in March which could have had dire consequences if my son hadn't found me and it is just unknown whether it will happen again. It could happen in ten years, it may never happen again, it could happen today, it is odd!
It's when I talk to people who witnessed me at the time and afterwards that I realize how serious it was and it makes sense to take the meds, but, it is still a very scary concept. I was speaking to my step daughter today, who is a nurse and she commented that they did not know whether they were ever going to get me back as my brain was so shot for a while after.
I don't think the diagnosis was a shock really, as I have had funny spells before, but, the reality of an actual diagnosis does feels odd. Probably, because my spells, thankfully aren't frequent neither, but, none the less they happen and I guess you never know when that might be. I am getting on with life though and I am managing to get around without a car. Just need a bit more planning when I am doing things.
He wants me to have an EEG before I start the medication, as this could affect the results. Whatever the results of the EEG though, he suggests I have the medication. My episodes aren't frequent though. The last time I saw a doc after what I now know was a tonic clonic, was almost ten years ago! I have had a couple of faints in between, but, again, pretty well spread apart!
The down side is that now I have a diagnosis of epilepsy, I cannot drive until March. I was hoping to get my licence back in September, but, that will not be the case. I understand the reasons why. He was very frank with me and highlighted the dangers of driving and also quoted the statistics of SUDEP, which I had never even known there was such a thing.
I understand too that driving is not just about me being injured, it is about other people, but, I was just in a bit of denial on the day.
The medication frightens me though. I am not one for taking tablets and the side effects look horrendous! I suppose it is about weighing up what is worse, the side effects from the medication or another incident like the one in March which could have had dire consequences if my son hadn't found me and it is just unknown whether it will happen again. It could happen in ten years, it may never happen again, it could happen today, it is odd!
It's when I talk to people who witnessed me at the time and afterwards that I realize how serious it was and it makes sense to take the meds, but, it is still a very scary concept. I was speaking to my step daughter today, who is a nurse and she commented that they did not know whether they were ever going to get me back as my brain was so shot for a while after.
I don't think the diagnosis was a shock really, as I have had funny spells before, but, the reality of an actual diagnosis does feels odd. Probably, because my spells, thankfully aren't frequent neither, but, none the less they happen and I guess you never know when that might be. I am getting on with life though and I am managing to get around without a car. Just need a bit more planning when I am doing things.
