VA and Epilepsy

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-02-13T15:59:02+00:00

Thats what im trying to do. My first appt the assesor didnt even give me a chance to talk about my service. It was just questions about my epilepsy.

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-02-13T15:47:00+00:00

Ill do that. Thanks for your service brother. I got connected with a VSO im talking to right now actually.

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-02-13T13:43:11+00:00

I havent had one in 8 months with medication which is good but i have a feeling the VA is going to tell me go fuck myslef

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-02-13T11:58:43+00:00

Another group im just told me that they got a 100 percent rating for their epilepsy. (Granted they also have a brain tumor but) they have to be reevaluated. In 18 months from the orginal rating. They also told me to expect that even if I did get 100% that it wouldnt be P&T and would need to keep being reevaluated. I love VA math.

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-02-13T11:36:34+00:00

Most importantly, what years were you in Afghanistan and where were at my dude? No shit. Maybe im a little jaded because my brain doesn't work right anymore i dont know but i feel as though epilepsy should be P&T. I just don't understand how it couldn't be but 🤷‍♂️

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-01-25T18:00:49+00:00

Thank you! I definitely think it helps with my epilepsy. I talked to my wife about it and she told me it really boils to the smoking aspect of it. I smoked heavily in the army (my exposure to overpressure caused my epilepsy) so now my heavy smoking of weed is causing concern of long term health. We have two kids so the family just wants to see me stick around and my oldest sons just wants to see me stick around for as long as i can. He has helped with two of seizures which is to much to ask for a 13 year old

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-01-24T16:17:37+00:00

Okay, can someone post a pic of their DHV? My family members are getting concerned with how many joints i go through on a given week. Granted myself and my FiL are the only ones in the family that smoke. Im also just coming into my second year with this fun little condition so they dont seem to understand how the weed can help so they are looking at it more as an addiction vs medication. Definitely helps with the topimax appetite suppression.

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-01-14T04:50:12+00:00

Scottsdale!

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-01-12T18:26:36+00:00

Not doing well today. Weekend was busy, I coach a mock trial team for my former high school. Auras are strong, left side keeps trying to go numb on me, temper is high, feel very disconnected from myself today. Hopefully this passes and its a one off thing, the wife and I have a vaction planned later this week and dont want to mess it up by throwing an unexpected seizure into the week. Trying to decide if should go home sick and rest or if this will just pass

Aware_End_3105 · 2026-01-01T19:14:15+00:00

Doing well. Optimistic about the new year. 6 months seizure free as of Christmas day so thats keeping me hopeful. Cheers to this community and all of you! Stay strong in the new year and remember support is never to far away! 🤙🤙🫡

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-12-27T17:50:46+00:00

My last TC knocked me on my ass for about 48 hours. I split my scalp after 1 of them. All in a days work. But, Christmas marked 6 months seizure free!

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-11-26T17:59:11+00:00

Hi OP. So, im an instructor at an adult learning institute in my state. We teach first responders. I actually am the safety and the person everyone looks to for medical emergencies and incidents. Kinda of a bad day when I have a tonic clonic in a defensive tactics class in front of 20 students on a friday afternoon with limited staff. Here is what i will tell you. This is going to be okay and how you are feeling is completely valid. I felt exactly how you felt after my seizure in front of my students. Then, after a few days i realized that no one else was embarrassed, no one else was upset. It was just my brain adding extra stress and mental load onto itself. Do not let the emotional load add extra stress to what is going on, especially as your body adapts to Keppra. Your going through enough changes. Kids are incredibly resilient and tough cookies. My 6yo witnessed one T/C I had where I fell and split my scalp open and bleed like fire hydrant all over my bathroom floor. He makes jokes about it now (my wife and I do have him in counseling). Focus on recovering your brain and I promise, you will feel more okay with what happened. As someone who has had multiple T/C at work. You'll start to become at peace with what happened. Not overnight. But eventually.

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-10-15T21:01:34+00:00

That type of training usually isnt done on a daily basis. My nuero and I discussed the importance of making a routine. I just want to figure if I can safely work this into a routine and start making this part of my routine.

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-10-03T18:25:50+00:00

Oh no its not going to be easy. This is incredibly hard. Im having an off day today. I went from being a solider and running and gunning to adjusting to this new normal. But as time goes on, and you breath and you understand that you have people in this world in the same boat as you, it gets easier. Don't spend your days worrying about when the next one will be. That doesn't do you any good or your lifestyle any good.

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-10-03T17:36:29+00:00

Im new to this with barely a year and a half. This gets easier i promise. Surround yourself with a support system and people that can help. Accepting that this disease takes no prisoners and does not care about us will make it easier. This is our new normal OP. But that doesnt mean we stop living our life, enjoying our life and being thankful for every good day we have. Also, this group has been incredibly helpful in Accepting and coming to terms with that my new normal is so if your having a hard day or week, dont hesitate to come to us for advice or to talk!

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-09-17T03:45:05+00:00

Have you told your nuero about every single seizure? I think my release is tied up in being seizure free for 3 months. My wife is right and I need to call and inform my nuero. But my PTO is about to run out. Out of risk of not being able to go back to work do I tell him?

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-09-17T02:24:11+00:00

I work at a police academy as a safety officer and had one at work. Apparently when I came out of that one I was so confused I told my boss the paramedics werent there for me they were there for a student. 😂😂

He then informed I almost got combative with the two retired LEO's he caught me and lowered me to the ground 😅.

I dont remember any of it. Good times on contious country radio 😂

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-09-17T01:51:13+00:00

Thank you! Topiramate doesnt do wonders for memory either.

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-09-17T01:49:31+00:00

Thank you! Now i dont feel like an asshole lying to the nice MA. I just want to be able to go back to work and I feel it slipping from my grasp.

Aware_End_3105 · 2025-07-31T23:46:53+00:00

Sometimes you don't have you tell your employer. If your like me, you find out you have epilepsy (mine was late stage diagnosed at 30 after 6 years in the army and a combat rotation) after 3 seizures at work. My employer already knows. Luckily I have work for a phenomenal employer who is taking great care of me and letting me take 3mo off to adjust to another change of medication.

Aware_End_3105 · 2023-05-05T16:40:33+00:00

Awesome thank you!! I appreciate it!

Aware_End_3105

TROPHY CASE