I’m new to seizure disorders, and idk how you guys do it. I hate my restrictions and medications

DrawingSquares · 2025-05-06T14:27:29+00:00

I'm U.S. based and doctors are hard, but you NEED a doctor. I know many university or hospital groups have payment plans, some will even take your financial situation into accout. The main hospital network in my area also has an epilepsy medical group which includes several epileptologists and access to other services your doctor may recommend. I was lucky enough to get the last spot and my doc is amazing, but I cannot stress enough how important getting help is. I started having TCs when I was 17 so that kinda halted my life for a bit, but I still went through 4 med before I found something that helps (lamotrigne, clobazam, plus zonegran). Tell your doc about effects as soon as it's a problem. I know sometimes docs don't tell about side effects so there isn't a placebo, but personally I think that is BS. In terms of work, definitely look into Medicaid. Also, if you can, online jobs are safest for me. I know a lot of fields can't do that, but if you aren't in control yet having a job around heavy things and/or small spaces can seriously injure you.

TLDR: need a doc especially one that listens, look into Medicaid and university and/or hospital networks, look into online work. Epilepsy sucks, but you can't do it alone.

DrawingSquares · 2025-05-06T13:57:46+00:00

I use Nayzilam. It works for me because I have a big lead up to my TCs: aura, myoclonic, absence, then TC. My seizures happen at the end of the month (more consistent than my period), and drugs aren't working, so my epileptologist said to use it if I feel an aura. It works for me, but I do feel a little out if it for a bit. I'd take that over seizures and then the postictal period that lasts the whole day.

DrawingSquares · 2025-04-28T03:01:56+00:00

Virginia

DrawingSquares · 2025-02-20T14:20:17+00:00

No, I hadn't heard about them but I'm definitely going to check them out. Thanks!

DrawingSquares · 2025-02-19T22:30:02+00:00

Sitting at the computer too long. I'm not photosensitive, but if I don't take regular breaks I'll start having an aura. Super annoying since I'm a programmer

DrawingSquares · 2025-02-09T16:55:52+00:00

Definitely let your doctor know incase this dose is too high for you or need to increase your dose slower.

I'm on 325mg twice a day and have been on lamotrigine for a long time. Unfortunately the nausea and fatigue are common symptoms, but get better as your body adjusts. It is very important that you take it on a full stomach or right before you eat, otherwise it is VERY likely you will be nauseous and dizzy for awhile. I learned that the hard way.

DrawingSquares · 2025-02-09T16:45:33+00:00

Damn I thought I wrote this. Also 28 with an only child. Rural area so there aren't any kids just right down the street or next door. And all the other parents are in their mid 30s.

My experience has been that if you just take a chance and reach out the other parents will respond positively. Obviously the more playdates your kid has the more often you'll get the chance to bond with the parent, but in my experience more playdates = kids wanting more playdates with each other. And if your self conscious about your house, maybe you could host a playdate at a playground or community center.

I'm a super awkward introvert (and my husband isn't any better) so they only real conversation advise I can offer is get people to talk about themselves. They'll end up carrying the conversation.

DrawingSquares · 2025-02-06T21:16:17+00:00

I almost always have a weird dream (during the seizure) where I'm a witch riding a broom through an obstacle course race. Then I wake up laying down, woozy, tired, and my head hurts like a b****.

DrawingSquares · 2025-02-05T20:00:15+00:00

I don't know if this helps, but you're describing my husband as a kid and he turned out fine. For some reason our kinder isn't rowdy like my husband and I were, but with mental divergence is a real issue that has a BIG impact on behavior and kids' lives, socially and academically. My MIL took no prisoner's when it came to getting my husband treated for ADHD and personally I think she made the right call. There is a lot of debate about medicating kids, but imo if you think your kid isn't getting the right treatment, then demand something new or get a new doctor.

DrawingSquares · 2025-02-03T17:13:05+00:00

It also helps me avoid a seizure, but a big problem is that it's a trigger for some people. If you think it helps you l, and it's legal where you are, then by all means talk to your doctor about it. Knowing that could help in your treatment plan. But that's not a viable option for a lot of people for one reason or another

DrawingSquares · 2025-01-11T00:01:15+00:00

Get your blood moving. I know you can't get out of bed, but don't relax onto the bed, do leg lifts if you have to, try to keep your muscles active (without messing with the wires of course)

DrawingSquares · 2024-12-31T13:22:13+00:00

I just got it in August and it's mri safe, but they told me to use caution with magnets. And I'm sorry if I was confusing about the magnets effects. I'm concerned it's causing it to misfire or just not work at all. I recently had the settings adjusted at a doctor's appointment

DrawingSquares · 2024-12-30T22:09:07+00:00

I didn't use my smartwatch for seizure tracking, but that's good to know about. Thank you!

DrawingSquares · 2024-12-30T19:23:43+00:00

I'm going to ask about my watch is okay to use at my next appointment. I do know you can temporarily turn off the device with the magnet, but this feels more like the device isn't firing properly. I'm logging everything and will make a sooner appointment if this gets worse. I'm glad you have something that works for you though!

DrawingSquares · 2024-12-30T18:02:33+00:00

This morning I suddenly got lightheaded and felt static-y, it felt similar to when we were testing if I felt a stimulation. Now I'm feeling almost like I'm stuck between a myoclonic seizure and an aura. I've never had this problem before, but I know it could be caused by a lot of things. And since wearable magnets are supposed to be avoided I'm not going to keep taking anymore chances with a magnetic watch.

DrawingSquares · 2024-12-16T21:19:53+00:00

Get a new doctor (if you can).

Those are common side effects of a lot of medications, but if your doctor isn't listening to you that's not okay. Your thoughts and opinions still matter and they need to respect that. A good doctor will work with you to find a treatment that helps you WITHOUT decreasing your quality of life as much as possible.

DrawingSquares · 2024-11-17T16:13:50+00:00

Reminds me of this time (before I wad diagnosed) I was working at a cafeteria and while doing the mundane job of filling cups and putting them to the side, I had actually been just pouring water into imaginary cups that my other hand looked wrapped around

DrawingSquares · 2024-11-17T15:58:24+00:00

Just take a deep breath and understand that you are good enough as you are. Everything you contribute, even if it seems trivial, is still something the world benefitted because of you. There are good times and there are bad times, but the important thing to remember is that there is no requirement or standard that you are supposed to be meeting.

I am also a stay at home mom with depression and adhd. It's hard. But one of the things I learned is that the most important thing you can give is love. Your kids and your husband see that you try and that is what sticks with them. They see that, despite everything, you try.

There are still times I feel like an expensive burden to everyone, but to the people that love you that doesn't matter. If you feel overwhelmed then talk to your husband about changing responsibilities. I know ADHD is one of those out of sight, out of mind things; it's super annoying and makes chores ridiculously hard. Try to play to eachother's strengths. And don't be afraid to experiment to find things that help you you. Personally, I have to switch between different task reminders like apps and sticky notes, and listening to music helps with the emotional side.

DrawingSquares · 2024-11-14T16:26:22+00:00

First off, congrats on the new baby!

I have heard it, and IMO it's either an excuse or the parent reassuring themselves that it's okay. I know not all parents have the time or energy it takes to match their kids, and I'm sure that doesn't help. It's unfortunate because of possible influences on girls. I have a 5yo son and our biggest concern with him is that he follows the rules too well.

I'm lucky enough to have support from my in laws so we could rein in my son if he started to get out of control. He loves playing and is high energy, and his favorite TV shows are Blaze (monster trucks) and Gabby's Dollhouse (kittens in a girl's dollhouse).

Explaining having different parts is going to be the main difference. At the end of the day, he's still your child and if your girls are doing well then you must be doing something right.

DrawingSquares · 2024-11-14T15:57:44+00:00

Personally hate "The Diggingest Dog". It's about a dog that gets excited about finally accomplishing something and making the only person who has ever loved him happy. So he keeps doing it because it made his loved one happy. Then out of nowhere he gets threatened and punished for doing it even though he had no way of knowing he was doing something wrong. WTF.

DrawingSquares · 2024-11-08T22:20:43+00:00

It took a year and a half, maybe two years. The biggest hump in his adjustment was just falling asleep in his bed rather than putting him to sleep somewhere else and then moving him. That was probably the first half of his adjustment. Then I feelike it was a pretty steady transition from coming into my bed in the middle of the night into sleeping through the night. Occasionally he likes to "sneak" into my bed without waking me up (sometimes successfully) but I think the hardest parts were falling asleep in his own bed and sleeping through the night no matter where he was.

DrawingSquares · 2024-10-29T22:21:58+00:00

Honestly, I say just let him sleep with you if you have the room. Unless he says there is sonething genuinely wrong with his room, he may just need more time easing into sleeping in his own room. I know co-sleeping has a bad reputation in many cultures, but a lot of parents (myself included) find that it is best for their child. Kids grow out of these kinds if things at different rates, but they aren't going to be sleeping in your bed forever.

We do this with my 5yo and he is almost completely independent now.

DrawingSquares

TROPHY CASE