Proving Epilepsy

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georgefrost@telefonica.net - 25 Jan 2007 11:58 GMT

I suffered Grand Mal as an adolescent and then intermittently to about
50 years old, at which time the seizure became more frequent - 2 or 3 a
year.

I had been on Phenol Barbitol (100mg morning and evening) which gave me
a degree of confidence toward control.
Now at 61 I have had two very stressfull years and have had upward of
ten seizures with the last three coming in the last month.

I had EEG and Radio Scans but always with negative results. The
neurologist has taken me off phenol barbitol and put me on Depakine
which has not helped.

Here is my issue and question: I cannot prove that I am epileptic since
I never go to the hospital after or during a fit. I normally lose
conscienceness for about ten minutes and then recover sufficiently to
continue the days work. Stupid I know! but until now it has kept up my
moral. I am elegible for a disability pension but cannot prove that I
am subject to seizures...........

So no records of seizures - plenty of witnesses, but I am a rather
proud idiot and am reticent to ask anyone to get involved.

How can I prove I am subject to Grand Mal without having to suffer a
seizure in front of the pension authorities?

George Frost

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J. T. Laurie - 25 Jan 2007 14:20 GMT

other than having very extensive tests done then your a little out of luck.
Have your neuro talk to the authorities. Maybe if you get the better tests
or have them done again, and like and MRI it'll show something. you
absolutely must go after a fit, or have someone take you during one.

>I suffered Grand Mal as an adolescent and then intermittently to about
> 50 years old, at which time the seizure became more frequent - 2 or 3 a
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> George Frost

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partials - 25 Jan 2007 14:22 GMT

> I suffered Grand Mal as an adolescent and then intermittently to about
> 50 years old, at which time the seizure became more frequent - 2 or 3 a
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Now at 61 I have had two very stressfull years and have had upward of
> ten seizures with the last three coming in the last month.

This is not unusual, by the way. Epilepsy can often return after being absent
for years or become worse as we age.

> I had EEG and Radio Scans but always with negative results. The
> neurologist has taken me off phenol barbitol and put me on Depakine
> which has not helped.

It's quite common to have negative results on those tests and that doesn't mean
that the person doesn't have epilepsy. Epilepsy is diagnosed by evidence of
seizures and without that you wouldn't be seeing a neurologist and being
prescribed drugs for it.

> Here is my issue and question: I cannot prove that I am epileptic since
> I never go to the hospital after or during a fit. I normally lose
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> How can I prove I am subject to Grand Mal without having to suffer a
> seizure in front of the pension authorities?

A simple letter from your doctor should be all that is needed.

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howdydave - 25 Jan 2007 16:34 GMT

On Jan 25, 6:58 am, georgefr...@telefonica.net wrote:

> I suffered Grand Mal as an adolescent and then intermittently to about
> 50 years old, at which time the seizure became more frequent - 2 or 3 a
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> George Frost

Howdy George!

I agree with the "letter from your doctor" bit.

"Epilepsy" is a catch all diagnosis and is often used when
a person has seizures that can not be diagnosed as being
due to any other cause.

Dave

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G. - 25 Jan 2007 21:49 GMT

> On Jan 25, 6:58 am, georgefr...@telefonica.net wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> > How can I prove I am subject to Grand Mal without having to suffer a seizure in front of the pension authorities?
> > George Frost

Howdy George!

> I agree with the "letter from your doctor" bit.
>
> "Epilepsy" is a catch all diagnosis and is often used when
> a person has seizures that can not be diagnosed as being
> due to any other cause.
> Dave-

Another thing that might apply (and be an incentive), in some
jurisdictions (your Dr. could tell you), depending on the severity of
the szrs. (the *Dr. determines that), you could also be eligible for a
Disability Tax Credit if the szrs. were severe enough to meet
Government rules and disruptive enough to interfere with your ability
to work.
(That would be a different Government Form/ same Dr. can complete it,
and what is eligible can vary by Jurisdiction and Country- e.g. it's no
longer eligible for the Disability Deduction in Canada, though it was
for about 5 years in early 1990s--net savings of about $1200 a year.
Also in some countries, if the Dr. completes the forms, Medications
might be free or reduced price? Not sure about that. ) / G.

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