Photosensitive in Las Vegas

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seizurrific

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I am studying at a university in America and we are taking a tour for a recreation management networking class which includes a night on "the strip" of Las Vegas.

My prof knows about my seizures and he knows that I am photosensitive but I'm pretty nervous about the whole thing because I have no idea what to do to keep from seizing every time I wake up from seizing haha. I once had a seizure just being in their airport from all the slot machines in the darkly lit hallways. That was probably stress related as well as photosensitive but it was a REALLY BAD seizure.

I have spoken to him and as the class revolves around the trip, I'm unable to abandon ship (that and the ship-bus- is my only way home as we aren't taking cars).

Besides overdosing on drugs (I am only joking) I have no idea what to do besides wear a pair of sunglasses (my usual defence against "photic stimulation". I just feel like that won't be enough to keep me safe and chill on our trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Our trip is on the 21st-24th (with Vegas being squarely on the 23rd) and I have no idea what I am going to do.
 
You might ask your neurologist for a prescription of Lorazepam (Ativan). It's used for short-term seizure control, and also as a relaxation/anti-anxiety med. (It's a bit like Valium). My neuro prescribed some for me to have as back-up if I was traveling, and had a seizure and couldn't get to a hospital.

You could try meditating as well -- take a 5-minute break a few times a day. Close your eyes (put on a sleep mask if you need to block out all the light), and just focus on relaxed breathing from the diaphragm. Just knowing that you have planned breaks can help your system stay steady. Get plenty of sleep, and generally avoid any other stressors -- alcohol, caffeine, dehydration, etc.
 
Those are great ideas- I'd only ever had Ativan used on my in the hospital as a severe anti-convulsant (ketamine, and several others were used also as I was in status), but it stands to reason that if I were to take it in smaller doses it would keep seizures at bay : )

Thanks Nakamova!
 
I live in Vegas. I am not photosensitive and sometime the lights bother me! You are tempting fate. You won't make it into a casino much less get past the first traffic light! I strongly suggest you work out an alternative assignment with your instructor. If this guy thinks you're gonna be fine, he has doesn't know anything about epilepsy
 
Hi Birdbomb!

I have spoken to my prof about alternatives and he said, "We're spending two days in Las Vegas. The first night, the one on the strip, is a must. We're inspecting and networking with four different companies and you'll need to be there. The next night we're having a swimming activity and then everyone can go and do whatever they like. You can hang out in the hotel, lounge by the pool, do whatever you like."

All I heard were the words "the strip", "must", "inspecting", "need to be there ", and "swimming". I about had a seizure right there when he was saying these things. Even thinking about all that makes my head buzz.

I'm heading into our University Accessibility Center to see what the hell is going on and what I can accomplish things on this trip without having a hospitalisation on my hands.

Like I said, I told this prof about epilepsy and being photosensitive (that's what most people think of anyway when they think of epilepsy, right? If that's right then it shouldn't be a huge surprise...) and I can understand why he would want me to participate fully but unless he's got some extra-special lifeguards who have some serious seizure training, and unless he's got the drug of all drugs, there's no way I'll be able to deal with it at night. Even during the day those lights are going to ruin me.

Thanks for your suggestions- I'll probably take them to our UAC and be like "Fellow person with E...from Vegas...See, it's a sign." lol If I have to I'll probably just relax my upper body in dejection and be like "Please help me. I'm going to die."
 
He is not making accommodations for you and he's putting your LIFE at risk! And this will get him into a heap of trouble. If anything happens to you he will be totally responsible. Ask him what is the sq footage of his (soon to become yours) house. ADA should be notified. He is a very ignorant and arrogant jackass, if you ask my opinion.

When you go to the University Accessibility Center, please, take a witness, take notes. Do the same with your professor, always have a witness. And you might need to have an attorney standing by, just in case.
 
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Spoke with my UAC advisor who is a total pit bull when comes to this stuff and all she said was, "No. ....No. You are NOT going. If you talked to your neurologist and she has some sort of miracle answer, fine but that is impossible. We aren't having you go into status because if a damn field trip. There is no way you are going to "The City of Lights."
 
I have been to reno a few times, basically it was like the beginning of a stand up joke,

So a epileptic goes to reno.
ended up as a john doe in the er, and running across town in my underwear. looking for my back pack. And standing in an elevator with a 60+ year old hooker. I just recommend be prepared for anything. and get a medic alert bracelet made.
 
LOL! Pretty sure that's what I looked like when I had my LV Airport seizure- good times, eh?

So many jokes so little time- being epileptic doesn't just mean seizures, it means seizure STORIES too ; )
 
My roommate was like "Well, knowing your advisor, that prof will be much more seizure smart and they probably won't ever go to Vegas again..."

I am inclined to agree.

I had my polarised sunglasses and drugs packed, and I called my on-call neuro who prescribed Ketamine for me to use both before/during the Vegas time period so as far as things are, it's up to me what to do...

Being photo-epileptic sucks.
 
WHOO HOO!

Good for you! I wouldn't want to be that prof right about now. It would not surprise me if the trip is cancelled for the group either.

Never be intimated by someone less knowledgeable than you, no matter their position. Something as simple as flashing lights could have cost you dearly. You should be proud for standing up for yourself! :rock:

In the meantime, an epileptic goes to Las Vegas... :bigsmile:
 
LOL!

My Las Vegas Airport seizure could make a great seizure joke too hahaha... oh dear. ; )
 
so an epileptic goes to vegas,


Did a stand up comedy gig for a bunch of epileptics last night, easiest crowd ever.
All I did was switch the hall lights off and on for 30 seconds,

Had them in fits.
 
C0urt! Too funny : D

LOL...we should start a "So an epileptic goes to...." joke thread hahaha
 
there is an epilepsy joke thread around here some where
 
there at one point in time was a joke thread, or at least a thread that degraded into a joke thread.

and of course the "you know you have epilepsy if......" thread
 
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