*****************************************************
my

You should speak to your *Doctor or Neuro, wrt. your probability of
finding a medication to control the szrs. (absenses = Petit Mals?)

  If you find information wrt. your seizure type, or at your Local
Ep. Associaton chapter, perhaps you can pass them to the "Disability
Counsellor" ?  (***s above)   as they appear to have missed parts of
their training.
   While there *are some types of seizures that may *not be fully
controlled, or difficult to control,  *they are not trained in
Neurology and their assumptions show a bias that isn't accurate.
    Many of the people who once posted here from 1998 to about 2005
had been marked as 'beyond control'  but then within a year to less
some of us got that control.
 **I was told (by my Neuro in 1993, based on MRIs and EEGs to "Hope
For" 2-3 seizures per month at a minimum, as a Target.   Last 2
Complex Partials I had (stronger than your's)  were Dec. 1997, June
1998... *None since then, not even absence or auras.

  Do they know how these started? or what is causing them?  While an
EEG might detect szr. activity, it's a relatively crude tool now, as
MRIs or CT scans will do a 3-D internal 'X-ray type' photo looking for
internal damage that could be causing them.  Based on those tests the
Dr. can often then select a medication that will target the particular
szr. type.
   If you can do a search within this group look for a Subject line
like "Websites of use to newer people"  I last did late last year or
early this year..   I used to post that about each 2-3 months over
last 4 years, so if you can find *any of those,  I list about 5
websites that members (here) had put together or posted over the
years.
   The basic U.S. one (from memory) is at http://efa.org   the U.S.
Ep. Foundation.  There's an area in there where you can do a
Medications search and see what the meds. you mentioned are designed
for, side effects possible and other infomation.   It's not
exhaustive, but a start.  Your Pharmacy might have a link if you're
currently taking any you could search on.   And if you're in the U.S.
(I'm not)  I think that efa site *also has web links to local chapters
(to you)  that might have information (or you could call free)  with
more information.

  If you can't find that Websites post I mention above, reply here on
this thread (shorten this msg. or start a new one with *same subject
line)  and I'll see it the 1 or 2x a day I read messages.   I can try
cut and paste the older post out of a folder (if I kept a copy)  and
Repost it here.         Julie (if she's still around)  manages the
Idaho Website that has Much relevant stuff to your concerns and the
'yobs'  comments, social stigmas,  or some of the links I have are to
Epilepsy Idaho site (assuming they didn't move it),  but has much of
use for people newly diagnosed or dealing with issues like you are.
    Keep us posted, maybe some of the 20-30 people who used to be
active here in 12+ timezones will see us around here again and
return.   Good luck with this.  G./

[Your post reminded me to call just now to get copies of my CAT
scans from last summer taken after a couple of "incidences", needed
for a long-distance neurologist visit coming soon...]

[The following comments are my opinions ONLY!]

I think any type of uncontrolled seizure type would make it extremely
dangerous to engage in any electronics work that involves anything
more than very low voltages unless the devices are not "hot" while
being worked on (this still leaves open a wide range of electronics
occupations, if that is your area of interest). Uncontrolled seizures
preclude driving, operating dangerous machinery, etc. - and it may
take some years to be sure that seizures are controlled, if they can
be at all.

The electronics are unlikely to cause seizures, but transfering to any
other area of interest *that is safe and suitable* (there is a vast number
of occupations that fit this description) is likely advisable.

I suspect that you know what the answer is already, since the neurologist
cannot provide an "instant fix" of any kind...

If you truly show seizure activity, observed by others, and cannot
remember it, then I would believe in the presence of seizures and
not some hooey "psychological" nonsense. EEGs aren't everything,
except *maybe* when done during a seizure. Positive EEG results
prove "yes", but a lack of positive EEG results doesn't necessarily
prove "no" (from what I gather...).

Sigh....!
I wish you luck with all of this, and it is unfortunate that you must
make now decisions about your future without sufficient knowledge
about that, but you can still find things to do that you like that are
safe and that will fit even the worst possible eventualities with the
described circumstances. (And, heck, I used to describe my
occupation as being "the village idiot"...8^) Withal, try to keep a
sense of humor, if you can...;-)
--DR

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd let you all know how my situation is now.

I messed up the dates for my neuro appointment - it's next week. I did,
however, find a local support phone line thanks to the links provided. The
person there told me that I defintely shouldn't be doing hazardous
electronics work with my type of seizures, so I have switched gears.

I talked to the head of the Library Tech program at my trade school and she
was very supportive and encouraging. I will even get some transfer credits
in the program, which will reduce the amount of reading I have to do and
give me more time to do it.

I also got a new job. It's part-time retail work, but the manager is a
family friend and has no problem with my being epileptic. He is also
sensitive to issues like medication side effects, so I can just tell him
upfront if I'm put on medication that might make me tired or dumb, so he can
speak slowly and use small words. In addition, I plan to apply to my local
public libraries for entry-level work so that I will be making more than the
$500 the retail job pays. During the school year I'll try to work part-time
and get student loans to help with rent. Maybe if I go on Topomax I'll save
some money on food :P

Thanks to everyone for your help.