work related seizures and issues

[tripletdad]

I think I had a mild seizure at work today. But I can never be sure, does anyone else go through this? I missed an entire section of conversation ina small meeting and I dont remember them ever talking about the topic. It's like a 5 to 10 minutes of my memory is missing. I've had the happen at home sometimes, I tend to get space with my petite mals, but most people at work dont know except my secretary.

 

[dfwtexas]

I totally understand what you are going thur. No one at my job knows either. Most of my seizures have been at work. Since I have some photosensitvity, I wonder if there is a trigger with the lights at work.
Since I have been on the proper amount of Keppra, I don't have the clear cut seizures...but I still get those "was that a seizure" type of seizure. It is very frustrating.

 

[tripletdad]

"was that a seizure'

I am so glad you said that I was talking with my wife on the way home trying to describe it and I think you coined the perfect term for it!

It drives me nuts. I have been pushing myself way too hard lately and have had a hard time getting to the gym and look what is happening. Gotta try and get back on my routine but I see my neuro tomorrow.

 

[dfwtexas]

Good luck with your doctor appointment, let me know what he thinks. I know I tend to get a little too comfortable at times and forget to pay close attention to things I know can trigger a seizure. Stress is the worst!

 

[skillefer]

i have grand mals...so it's pretty obvious when I have seizures at work. I'm a schooteacher, so i make sure that every semester I have the seizure talk with all the kids. I let them know that I have seizures, what they look like, and what to do if I have one in class. The last couple of years, that talk has come in very handy. It's helped make it so that when I had seizures at school, my kids didn't freak out or panic. My bosses know, of course, and have been very supportive.

Sounds like you need to get back to your routine. Good luck at the docs!

 

[Meetz1064]

Good luck.

It does sound as if you need to get back to your regular schedule. Being off kilter just a bit can make such a big difference, in anything that we do.

Have you talked to anyone at work about this? Do you have FMLA papers filed for it? If not, and you've been there for more than a year full time, get that done. Just in case....

Good luck!

Meetz
:rock:

 

[kelso54]

I know what you are talking with these holes in your memory, I call it "lost time". Days before i stopped working I "lost" over thrity minutes. I remember my aura, I don't remember walking 30 feet to a canal. I remember grapping a tree limb so as not to fall. I DO NOT remember falling into water "8+ feet" or crawling out. I do not remember the walk I took or where I went. I was told I had fallen in water and had to examin the sceen to figure out what had happened. I had lost a few minutes here or there, found myself some place and not known how I got there. But never 30+ minutes and never had I endangered my life as much as I did that day. There have been times that had there not been someone else with me, or had I been doing a different task I could have been injured, I was behind clubhouse not working on side of road near traffic.
kelso54

 

[drarvindr]

Are you taking your meds at the same time on time wihtout skipping? absence seizures like the one you describe are very common if you skip meds (know from personal exp.). if not , have you been drinking/smoking more often than normal recently? if you drink lay off the booze for a few days . ditto with the smokes if applicable. try to take a few minutes for yourself everyday. i work 24X7 too. you need a break. try to find a place where you can be alone and away from the hustle and bustle. ( i stand on the hospital roof at night)

 

[tripletdad]

Thank you everyone

I really appreciate the great responses and they have been so helpful. I've tried to explain what its like to my family and it is really hard for them to understand or even comprehend and I dont want to scare them so I keep it very private. The only one who really knows is my incredible wife as she lives through this with me.

I had a good meeting with the doctor on wednesday. She's is worried about my big mood swings and my continued seizure activity. She is upping my keppra to 3000. I was on 2000. First increase was friday to 2500. I took the day off so I could adjust, was jittery and sleepy but today I feel pretty good with my mood swings less prevalent. Her feeling was that since my mood swings seem to happen when I miss a does or take one late I needed to have more meds in my system to prevent this. It seems to be working, I go to 3000 next friday.

She also wants me to see a shrink just in case there are some underlying issues, but not sure I want to do that. Anyone else in this situation?

I am looking forward to getting back on my daily routine and I am committing myself this week to doing that. It's gonna be hard just because I run my own bussinness with my brother and father and they dont really understand how hard it is for me and with the economy in shambles we are working twice as hard to make ends meet so my schedule has been a mess and my stress lvl gigantic. I have been working 16 hr days for months and that is NOT something I can afford to do with E.

Again, thanks for the responses, this has been so helpful getting through these "bumps in the road."

 

[RobinN]

Hi Tripletdad - my daughter began to see a therapist soon after her first seizures. I wanted her to have the support from someone other than just her parents. When so many don't comprehend, it is very nice to be able to have a voice. This is an appointment that my daughter remembers weekly and really looks forward to.

You owe it to yourself to get to the bottom of any issues, and be able to vent about how difficult this must be with your current work situation. I do hope that the increase in meds will continue to bring you positive results. It is great to hear that your appt went well.

 

[BuckeyeFan]

The Nueros don't agree on many things, but are almost universal in the need to reduce stress in your life. As an Accountant during a very busy time, I know that is much easier said than done. One thing to try to do is accept the parts of your job that you can not change and focus on what you can impact. You won't be able to change the economy, but you can make your goods or services top notch.

Don't be afraid to talk to your Dad about this. He could end up being a great supporter. I am sure that he would rather have you healthy than working all of the time.

:Cheers:

Welcome to CWE.

 

[dfwtexas]

Glad you had a good doc appointment. Maybe your neuro wants you to see therapist to make sure you have a release so you don't bottle up your emotions and create more unneeded stress.
This forum is truly a Godsend for me. I got diagnosed last year and the incredible support here has really helped me to accept and deal with my seizures. You are very blessed to have your wonderful wife. I think it must be terriblely hard for people who don't have seizures to understand what we go thru. I thank God every day for the wonderful people here that keep me sane!
Be sure to get rested on your days off...I know I find myself vegging out on the weekends and it does have a positive impact on my mental state as well as keeping my seizures in check.

 

[tripletdad]

Thank you

I am still looking at he sheet of paper my neuro gave me with the psychs on it and I will call soon. I hate the stigma they have but I do want to get to the bottom of this.

Robin- I wish I had the resources your daughter has when i was her age, this board and the advancements in E have been tremendous.

And jcb has it dead on that it is nearly impossible to explain to someone who doesnt live with E what we go through....

Thanks again for putting this all in perspective, I did take Buckeyefan's advice and started talking to my father and brother but I wont tell them everything as i fell like they would freak out. Silly thoughts from a grown man, eh?