This feels like I'm making it official.

[Darron]

Hello everyone.
I am Darron.
I'm new to 'life with epilpsy' and still have alot of questions and concerns. I started having 'episodes' early this year. I was diagnosed in February and told the 'episodes' were simple complex siezures. Based on what I have been able to find online about epilepsy a 'simple complex siezure' is about the equivilant of an eye twitch in terms of seizure severity. For that I am thankful. I'm taking Keppra XR and Lorazepam. Did anyone else start off having simple partial seizures? Will this get worse?
I get very depressed. This seems to be a side effect of the medication. I also get very irritable. Some days are better than others but it's already getting old. Anyone else feel the same way?
Only a few of my friends know of my condition. I haven't told most of them. The ones that do know are really good about it. It's actually kind of fun....I use it as an excuse for everything. If I say something rude, or spill my drink, or mess up in any way I blame it on the epilepsy. This is in a joking manner of course and they know I'm full of it, but it's fun to laugh about and actually helps me cope.
The biggest impact on my life that I am experiancing comes from the medication, not the epilepsy. I still have 3-4 episodes a week but they are mild and easy to deal with. People can't even tell when I have them. I don't loose consciousness or black out. I just go to a really weird place in my mind and get stuck on a sort-of memory loop in my mind. Usually the memories aren't even real.
How do you guys deal with the side effects of the medication? Can I expect my epilepsy and siezures to progress and get worse?
I don't really have anyone to talk to about this. No one that really understands. Thus, I don't talk about it much. I just want to sit down with someone who is experiancing the same thing as me and talk and share. It's hard to explain to someone what I experiance during a seizure without sounding crazy.
Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this and pass along some advice.

 

[epileric]

Welcome Darron

I also get simple partial seizures (as well as complex partials). This might explain them in a bit more detail.

Partial Seizures
(Produced by a small area of the brain) Symptoms
1. Simple (awareness is retained)
a. Simple Motor
b. Simple Sensory
c. Simple Psychological a. Jerking, muscle rigidity, spasms, head-turning
b. Unusual sensations affecting either the vision, hearing, smell taste, or touch
c. Memory or emotional disturbances

http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/types-of-seizures-their-symptoms

I know that loop your mind gets caught on that you're talking about. As a kid it was almost like an adventure, as a teenager the loop I got caught on would determine my mood after the seizure & as an adult I just accept it as life & try to ignore them.

I have to agree that quite often the side-effects of the anti-epileptic medications are worse than the seizures themselves. The problem is that the more seizures one has, the more likely the brain is to repeat that seizure & that increases the likelihood of them getting worse. What kind of medication are you on?

They do tend to change, I only used to have partials until I was 18 when I decided to stop my meds & I had my first convulsion. I don't have them often but I have had some since. I'm sure as time goes on you'll start to notice changes, some can be very subtle some not-so-subtle. I guess that just keeps me from getting bored.

It's also great that your friends have been accepting about it. It seems everyone reacts differently from hostile to being overprotective. As a kid that was something I had to get used to since I'd had them all my life & thought everyone else had them too.

 

[momof3boys]

First off, Welcome to CWE!

I am also on Keppra XR, Ive been on Keppra for 12 years now, but in November of 2010 I was switched over to the Keppra XR. I take 3000mgs a day. I have simple partial seizures, but have had complex partials and grand mals before. I was recently on Carbatrol ER along with the Keppra XR, but after having a VEEG, my dr said it looked like I had outgrown my Big Seizures, and felt like the Keppra XR would hold me over. Its been three months and so far everything has been going good.

I was going to suggest, taking a Complex B Vitamin to help with the mood swings Keppra can bring on. I peronally havnt had any problems with it, but I found out about the vitamin B in November when I got switched to the XR and since taking it, Ive felt more "laid back" with things.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Again, welcome to CWE!

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Darron, welcome!

It's hard to know if your seizures will progress -- everyone seems to have a different journey with epilepsy. If you control the seizures as much as possible, your brain is less likely to "get in the habit" of seizing. I understand your frustration with the side effects, and it can be a tough call to determine when they have become intolerable. Let your neuro know how you are feeling -- perhaps there might be other options for treatment. Consider seeing a therapist to help with the depression and coping skills. And take a look at ways to be generally proactive with your health: http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f22/proactive-prescription-epilepsy-1254/

If you keep a journal it can help you track your seizures. It's a good way to see if they are changing over time -- whether in frequency, duration, or kind -- as well as to look for triggers or patterns.

I hope you feel free to explore CWE and all its forums. You're in good company here.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Bernard]

Hi Darron, welcome to CWE. :hello:

Life and epilepsy are both rollercoaster journeys. No one knows for sure what lies ahead. However, knowledge and the collective wisdom/experience of the community can support you in many ways.

 

[Endless]

Hi, Darron,

I just want to welcome you to the forum!

 

[Darron]

Thanks everyone for the replys. I appreciate the support.

Epileric, the memory loops are a bit of an adventure. I don't mind them even though they usually leave me with a headache or feeling nauseous. They are interesting to me. I don't want to keep having them though because as you and my Dr. have told me my brain will want to repeat them.

Momof3boys, thanks for the Complex B Vitamin suggestion. I will certainly give it a shot.

And thanks again to all of you.