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kwd8960

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Hello All, My name is Ken and I was first diagnosed with Petit Mal seizures at age 15. I am now 57 and have had several Grand Mal seizures since age 44. In Dec. of 2011 I went into Grand Mal seizures and was admitted into the hospital. The Neurologist told my wife that i had approx. 300 seizures within a 24 hr period since being admitted into the hospital. He recommended that I apply for disability which I have been fighting for now for almost 2 yrs. They tried several meds on me before they got me on the Depakote ER @1500mgs per day which I now take, and it works great for me. Best med I've ever had. Of course I still have to get regular sleep and take care of myself as I'am sure you all know how that is. I occasionally still have the Petit Mal seizures (staring spells) but at least there not Grand Mals, which suck big time. Some days I feel more jittery and nervous than others, but I think having to wait on disability to come through is wearing me thin sometimes, not to mention my poor wife who stands beside me all the way. God couldn't have sent me a better wife. I have been told epilepsy is heredity and runs in my Mother's family. My youngest sister has it and her daughter used to have it, my youngest daughter has it, my brother had it but out grew it. I have had to constantly remind myself that their are worse things out there than epilepsy. I don't know about any of you but I was made fun of at an early age because of having epilepsy, but back in the early 60's no one knew that much about it. I grew up with a stigma about it. I used to wouldn't talk about it or tell anyone I had it, unless they saw me have "a spell", but times have changed and sites like this have certainly helped people learn and become more educated about it.
 
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Hi Ken, welcome to CWE!

It's great the Depakote has been working well for you. One thing you might try for the absence seizures (petit mals) is the Modified Atkins Diet -- it's shown particular success in reducing that kind of seizure.

Good luck with the Disability stuff -- from what I understand it can take multiple applications before they let you through.

Best,
Nakamova
 
Thank you Nakamova, I will look up the diet and try that. Maybe it will help me in more ways than one, as I have gained some unwanted pounds due to my premature and unexpected retirement from work. I'am afraid I have started eating more out of pure boredom, so the diet would be great, and my wife would certainly be thankful to you also. I would much rather be working than having to wait on disability. I never dreamed it would be this difficult waiting to get approved. I was clueless to it all. Thanks for your advice. I will let you know how it works. :)
 
Thanks Nakamova for the links to the diet. I'll check them out, and I definitely may also need to vent about the disability process. It's so lame that they keep people waiting so long on money that they have already paid into all the previous years, but enough on that for now. Thanks for making me feel so welcome and for the quick help already. Think I'am going to like this forum. Later. :)
 
Had a Dr visit today and they are putting me on Keppra along with my regular dosage of Depakote ER I am already taking. Has anyone else taken these two meds together with any success, as in....no serious side effects. They told me that the two are at times used together. The Dr. said they don't want to up my Depakote any more as I am already taking 1500 mg a day and it's causing a bit of nervousness with me already. If anyone has had any experience with the two the info would dbe greatly appreciated. Thanks. :)
 
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