Hi Jacki,

I was diagnosed 13 years ago with complex partial seizures, and although my
regular doctor had narrowed the cause of my symptoms down to two things, it
was still pretty much a shock when neurology said I did have epilepsy.  Yeah
people, friends, family, and employers, can get kind of goofy when they find
out.  They've got to deal with it their way, and we have to deal with it our
way.  Eventually, everybody gets back to 'normal.'

Although I said it was a shock getting the final diagnosis, it was also a
big relief knowing what the problem was and that I was not imagining all
these weird symptoms that made me feel like I was going nuts.  At least once
there is a diagnosis, there are things available to us to help, hopefully,
prevent or reduce the frequency/intensity of future attacks.

You've got to give your body time to get adjusted to your meds, and there is
a good chance that you will be seeing your doctor pretty frequently for at
least a year or two as he/she attempts to get your seizures under control.
Doctors generally start with the lowest dose possible, and if this is not
effective, will increase the dose or change meds or possibly combine it with
something else.  So kind of be prepared for that as well.  I think the first
couple of years are kind of tough on a new adult epilepsy patient because of
the med alterations, the frequency of appointments, and the loss of your
driver's license.

About taking time off, only do it if you want to.  If you keep as normal a
life-style as possible, that might help with the mental turmoil.  But your
anguish will diminish over time.

Barb

Hi Jacki,

I've been through what you are feeling and going through. I can
definately relate. I take the same amount of Neurontin and haven't had
a seizure in five years. I had to make some lifestyle changes but they
seem minor now compared to when I was prone to seizures. I'm under a
doctors care at the Mayo Clinic.

I know it may sound trite now but try to keep the faith. Keep on
coming back to the newsgroup. It is and the peeps are a wonderful
support group.

Ted

Our doctor said that medication should work so that one does not get
seizures (even mild ones) and that the doctor would keep tweaking the
prescription until that goal was achieved.  Maybe you should go back
to the doctor with a list of when the seizures hit and what was going
on at the time (bright lights, Mary Hart's voice, morning after a
drinking binge, etc.)

You're not whining, nothing to be sorry about.  It may take a few for your
doc to find the correct meds for you.  Be patient.  Your life will even
itself out.  You just have an extra something added to your personality.

g'day jacki,
this is a support group, if you need a good whine (and everyone does now and
then), you've come to the right place. don't worry about how people think
about you, life's too short. i use to get all embarrassed too, but after
you've suffered bladder incontinence a few times nothing seems to matter all
that much.
when the doctor first told me i had epilepsy i thought "oh woe is me". but
even though there are things i can't do, like fly a plane, there's plenty
more out there to be experienced and you can start to forget about the
limitations the big E can place on you. so welcome to the group!
pablo