Jackie I am 54 years old and have had Epilepsy for 22years. I had no
head injury or family history. I woke my wife up one night shaking and
she called EMS. when the Tech walked into the bedroom the first thing he
asked my wife was if I had Epilepsy,When she said no he loaded me on a
cart and took me to the hospital. My first Neuro confirmed that it was
Epilepsy and put me on Dilantan. After a couple of years it was
increased to 500mgs but did no good. I changed Neuros but the one I went
to his speciality was head aches. I didn't know what to do because all
he would do for me was give me EKG's when I would go seehim. Finally I
joined the local support group and met one of the best epilepsy neuros
in town (I live in Louisville, Ky) I started going to see him and he
kept trying to find the right drugs to stop the seisures. Either they
wouldn't work or I would have a reaction to them. Then we thought about
trying the VNS and that didn't work. Finally we decided on Surgery. At
the time the surgery was scheduled I didn't have anything hahhening in
Left Temprode Lobe. So Neuro and the Surgeon went ahead with the
surgery. Well about a day after I had a Stroke and that is when they
found what they called mini seisures coming from my Left side. So the
surgery didn't work. Now I am on 1200mgs Carbatrol, 20mgs Lexapro and
2mgs Clonapin. I have been on this group of meds so lonf that I think
that my body is starting to get used to them because my seisures have
not stopped and may be increasing but I am having most of my seisures at
night, They still scare and worry my wife because when I have one I roll
over into my pillow face down. My good neuro had to leave town but he
had an intern in his office who saw me during my visits so now I go see
her. A little personal stuff. Kentucky you have to be seisure free
90days to get your driver license back. Now I headr that the CDL has
moved their time of being seisure free from 1year to 4years to make it
worse when I developed Epilepsy I was a delivery driver for the local
Coca-Cola out-let. So I could no longer drive after19years. They did
find me a job in the plant UNTIL I had a couple seisures and the Big-
Wigs found out I was still working there. Then I was told I would Have
to leave because I was a danger to the people I was working with and
myself because I was working around moving equipment.    Thanks for
letting me let off steam. I have been out of work for 10years and
collect SSD    Mike Hagan

Jackie the message I just sent you may not post to the group if it
dosn't fill free to use any of it to help someone else.
Mike Hagan

People who have "the surgery" on the right temporal lobe have a worse
time with bad memories being vivid and haunting. The surgery was a
success; no more seizures and my memory is greatly improved. They want
you on AED drugs for at least year post-op. I was on lamictal for almost
a full year but got stomach problems (dry heaves) from it, and didn't go
any other drugs. My neuro was in on my decision. I was abused as a kid,
so I had rage/anger/trust issues. You don't remember the events
themselves, but the memories associated with them are intense. I
eventually worked through everything with the aid of my wife. The only
meds I'm on are 50mg seroquel nightly. BTW, the blood pressue drug
Doxazosin (sp?) is used to treat PTSD nightmares. I was in a study of a
drug to treat depression & ptsd called ****mine. .5mg/kilo; IV. If
you're able to get a hold of some, you have to do some personal meta-
reprograming, accentuating all the positive things in your life, how
lucky you are, how loved you are, and that you're in control. Yeah, and
enjoy the float. And I ain't a druggie.