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Hello all. I am a new member of this forum and a new member to forums, posting, and all that is involved so please bear with me. I am 43 and recently diagnosed with epilepsy/seizures as no one seems to know. My first "episode" was August 2012 which they called Transient Global Amnesia as it was my first event and no prior or family history. Unfortunately I live alone and lost about five hours with brief glimpses of being down the dead end street I live on which I have never been down before. I was also cut up on my arms and legs in no specific patterns and a good size bump on my head. Of course EEG, MRI, and CT were all "normal" with no signs of anything! The most recent event happened the end of January and I lost approximately three to three and a half hours and this time have brief recollections of being down the main street that leads to mine which is also a bus route. Just glad I wasn't run over! I am more scared of this than the Atrial Fib that I have had since I was 36 and being in the military and having gone to war. I'll be honest I am scared to leave the house for fear of wandering and something serious happening. I do understand and respect the struggles that others are and have faced and whom have it worse than I do, I just don't know what to do which is why I am here. Thanks
 
Welcome fellow Veteran.
Your not alone here.as you will soon see.
I was an ARMY Grunt in the mid seventies.
 
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Gday ,

That`s no good mate , we are the same age, i have only had siezures since 40 and at the time it frightend me , for me it wasn`t a good feeling knowing that at any moment you can drop , i wish you all the best .
 
Welcome! Thank you for your service to our country. So sorry to hear about your troubles. I have not had the loss of time like you and can only imagine how terrifying that must be! Are you taking any medications? Are you seeing a neurologist? Let us know how you are doing and I hope to see you here often :)
 
Welcome. I'm 54 and have had epilepsy and been on meds for about 31 years now. Of the half-dozen tonic clonic seizures I have had, and the 10,000-plus partial seizures I have had and continue to have, I think the worst moments were the three times I lost some time (fortunately only a few minutes!) when I was away from home and realized I didn't know where I was and didn't remember getting there. It's one of the worst feelings there is. I can definitely sympathize with you. If they get you on meds hopefully that will get things under control. Keep us posted. You're not alone in this.
 
Welcome USMC Veteran,

First of all, thank you for serving our country in a time of war. After having the EEG, CT, and MRI testing, have you seen a neurologist? From your description, it does sound like you could be experiencing complex partial seizures which don't always show up on any of these tests. So please get in touch with a knowledgeable neurologist, preferably an epileptologist at a University Hospital, ASAP for help.

Here is more info on types of seizures:
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/main_epilepsy

and info on PTSD epilepsy war veterans may be experiencing:
http://www.aesnet.org/go/patients/post-traumatic-epilepsy/what-is-post-traumatic-epilepsy
 
Welcome,

Thank you for your service and I am so sorry to hear about your recent troubles. I know that this is terrifying, but the community is here to support you. The people here are wealth of information and support. I'm sorry that this happened to you, but I'm glad that you've found your way here.

-Mary
:e:
 
Thanks CINT, I have seen a neurologist this most recent incident and they (the VA) started me on Depakote while building up Lamictal. This weekend I will plateau at 100mg twice a day with the Lamictal and will drop the Depakote. Hopefully some of the side effects will lessen then. I will also see a neurologist at the end of April and see what they say then.
 
Hi USMC vet -- just wanted to add my welcome to the other's. I hope the Lamictal does the trick for you. Keep usposted.

best,
Nakamova
 
I was diagnosed with epilepsy about 10 years ago and no one knows why.

During almost all my seizures I loose time. It could be a few minutes to a few hours. I have wondered around the house doing things during seizures that I don't remember doing but I've never left the house, I'm so sorry that you have. I can't even imagine what that is like.

I live with my husband so if I do start to get up and do something during a seizure he can stop me but there have been times that he's been in bed when I have a seizure so he doesn't know what's going on.

Do you keep your doors locked? Or maybe try putting something infront of them that has to actually be moved before you can go out the door? This may help you from leaving the house.

So far you're doing good at posting on the forum, it's not too hard. And you'll find alot of help here with the things that you are dealing with.

Glad to meet you. And I'd also like to thank you for serving our country!
 
Hi,

Just as the others before me, I too want to thank you for fighting for our freedom.

I sorry In that my seizures are not yours.

This has to be so scary for you.

Do you have someone who can call and check on you until you are on a meds. that have you at a better seizure control?
 
Hi jyearta,
I am on Lamictal 100mg 2x day. The VA also moved my neurology appointment up to tomorrow so we shall see what they say. I have a general question to all too. I have been on short term disability from my job since my recent event especially because as a case worker I drive around 200 miles per week seeing kids. I have now come close to the end of short term which means the company I work for will no longer hold my job. I also have a car payment, house, utilities, etc... So what does everyone else do when you can't work? I need to understand this aspect of my life with seizures.
Thanks
 
Does your job offer long term disability benefits? I was able to get them from the job I was working at when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I'm not sure what the requirements were in order to get them because my family handled it for me.

If your company has a human resources department ask them or ask your boss and see. I don't know if the military offers anything that might beable to help you too?

I was able to get on social security too. I'm not exactly sure how old I was when it started but I was 26 when I was diagnosed and I know it wasn't much longer after that when it started. Again my family handled that for me too so I don't know what had to be done.
 
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Welcome USMC Veteran and thank you for your service. I'm a wanderer, too. Before I figured out that it was me who was hiding all of my stuff in the house, I thought my daughter was playing tricks on me. Turns out I get out of bed at night and do all sorts of crazy stuff. The brain is an amazing organ.
Try and get your doctor to approve an extension on your short term disability and apply for SSI (permanent disability) in the meantime, if possible.
I wish you luck and please make yourself at home and keep us posted of how you are doing. ((HUGS))
 
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