Photosensitive twitching/jerking videogame issue

[Scarclaw578]

I have a form of Epilepsy known as "Photosensitive seizures/convulsions". I've never had an actual seizure, however, when exposed to certain patterns of light I may have a momentary loss of awareness of begin to twitch/jerk. The problem is, I have a big passion for videogames. I love to play them all the time, and when I go to college, I want to become a videogame developer. However, my condition has been hindering this, and I'm afraid one day might trigger the real deal (epilepsy) So how can I still do what I love, but avoid the risks?

 

[Crash]

Hi Scarclaw578
I would say having photosensitive epilepsy and wanting to have a career in video games wouldnt go hand in hand,eight to ten hours a day in front of flashing images probaly would be playing with fire.Im no nuero,i think you need to have a good chat with him before you make any commitments concerning college.
I dont have photosensitive e,but if i mention to my nuero that i have been playing the xbox,she near has a seizure.I can play most games apart from Grand Theft Auto seires,dont know what it is about them but they set me off,hope you get a go ahead from your doc,good luck.

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Scarclaw578 --

The reactions you describe -- momentary loss of awareness and twitching/jerking -- ARE a kind of seizure. If they've happened more than once, then you DO have epilepsy. I don't say this to freak you out, just to let you know that an epilepsy diagnosis is made based on all sorts of seizures -- not just the ones where you lose consciousness and convulse. In fact, the majority of epilepsy cases don't involve loss of consciousness and convulsions.

There are some kinds of polarized sunglasses that can help some people with photosensitivity -- you could try those out, see if they help. http://irlen.com/index.php

Other than that, do your best to be proactive about your general health -- get plenty of sleep, eat and hydrate in a balance way, avoid excesses. Take plenty of breaks away from the computer. It's important to have a break between looking at a monitor and going to sleep -- looking at screens can interfere with your ability to sleep.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[kostareyna]

Hi Scarclaw578 --

The reactions you describe -- momentary loss of awareness and twitching/jerking -- ARE a kind of seizure. If they've happened more than once, then you DO have epilepsy. I don't say this to freak you out, just to let you know that an epilepsy diagnosis is made based on all sorts of seizures -- not just the ones where you lose consciousness and convulse. In fact, the majority of epilepsy cases don't involve loss of consciousness and convulsions.

There are some kinds of polarized sunglasses that can help some people with photosensitivity -- you could try those out, see if they help. http://irlen.com/index.php

Other than that, do your best to be proactive about your general health -- get plenty of sleep, eat and hydrate in a balance way, avoid excesses. Take plenty of breaks away from the computer. It's important to have a break between looking at a monitor and going to sleep -- looking at screens can interfere with your ability to sleep.

Best,
Nakamova

Interesting,i've actually noticed that i was more sensetive in the morning if i went to sleep right after i finished with the computer and not after i was outside or something.

 

[kostareyna]

I have a form of Epilepsy known as "Photosensitive seizures/convulsions". I've never had an actual seizure, however, when exposed to certain patterns of light I may have a momentary loss of awareness of begin to twitch/jerk. The problem is, I have a big passion for videogames. I love to play them all the time, and when I go to college, I want to become a videogame developer. However, my condition has been hindering this, and I'm afraid one day might trigger the real deal (epilepsy) So how can I still do what I love, but avoid the risks?

I never lost my awareness but i do have the twitching jerks when im not on meds.
I also work as a help desk and pc tech which is probebly kindda wrong since im photosensetive as well.I would say that if you have a med that controlls the seizures than im not sure its wrong to work in your proffesion.the difference between you and a nurse or a doctor or any other proffesion maybe except zoo keeper and gym trainer is couple of hours infront of a cumputer and im not sure what would the difference be like.I always jumped when i played computer games and even more when i was on lamictal since its only aggravated the jerks and din't help.when i went to keppra it basicly stopped even on the smalles dosage. Altough being photosensetive and sitting infront of the computer its like going against yourself, nowdays almost everything relates to computers, going to work in some factory where you don't use electronics might depress you and actually worsen your condition.The point of drugs is to stop triggers from making you seize and if its not helping than the medication is wrong for you.

Try either sodium valporate or keppra.I take keppra and i sometimes hate it but both of those drugs are especially good for people who are photosensetive and people who got twiches\jerks.Sodium valporat (epilim,depakote,depalept,depakene) din't help me really only increased my tresh hold for a little longer while keppra did the trick.

And nakamova is right you do got seizures,people always say that i don't have seizures only jerks but those count as seizures as well,even the auras themselfs are seizures which are in the simple partial category and altough most of them are visual or related to wierd smells or feelings they ARE seizures.

Anyway start the treatment now,i was on a bad treatment for 5 years and another 2 years i was without treatment at all,i did notice that after some while it started to become worse and the more you wait the more chance you will have increase in how often they can occour and the seizures themselfs might change.

p.s=If you don't have jerks upon awakening and they are strictly photosensetive depandent than from i've read usually people out grow them by the mid 30's.

If you do have jerks after you wake up from sleep,especially a deep one tell your doctor.

 

[Buffheart]

My doctors believe I have photosensitivity. When I was younger my friends would tease me because I was afraid of strobe lights. They would always make me feel "weird." I would usually feel dizzy, spacy, confused, and just out of it. Fortunately I only saw strobe lights during Halloween and I have not been around once for about 10 years. But I have recently noticed flourescent lights making me feel very tried, almost to the point where I feel like I might pass out. So you are not alone.

 

[gowings83]

I'm in the same boat.....in a way. The last 2 years my poor xbox has gathered dust except for the kinect beta testing. I couldn't even play a low speed game such as Tiger Woods or NHL. Now with the meds I'm taking it has gotten a bit better, I can play slow games now, like NHL. I can't do it for hours like I used to (I've spent 12 hours on COD before) but an hour or 2 then I start getting a headache. I used to want to be a game designer as well but when the time came I thought it wasn't the brightest idea. Instead I went in to computers and networking. I'd suggest with the photo whatever stuff you find something else you like doing, at least until it can be figured out.

 

[kostareyna]

I'm in the same boat.....in a way. The last 2 years my poor xbox has gathered dust except for the kinect beta testing. I couldn't even play a low speed game such as Tiger Woods or NHL. Now with the meds I'm taking it has gotten a bit better, I can play slow games now, like NHL. I can't do it for hours like I used to (I've spent 12 hours on COD before) but an hour or 2 then I start getting a headache. I used to want to be a game designer as well but when the time came I thought it wasn't the brightest idea. Instead I went in to computers and networking. I'd suggest with the photo whatever stuff you find something else you like doing, at least until it can be figured out.

And computers by themselfs don't bother you?

Im also working as a netowrk pc tech.

Im wondering do you have a degree in canada in that field or only certification programs?