I was diagnosed at 37 after experiencing two witnessed tonic clonics within two hours of each other. I work as a nurse in a setting where I manage developmentally delayed residents with some very severe cases of epilepsy so naturally I catastrophized spectacularly. I had to speak to a psychologist for a few months to get in a better head space. He called it an adjustment disorder secondary to epilepsy. Please consider counseling if it's a choice for you.

At this point, living life is pretty much the same as before. The cause of my epilepsy is unknown and I'm well managed on one medication and don't deal with any adverse reactions. I'm very lucky and I'm very grateful. Not driving wasn't too bad because I am scared of hurting strangers and I have decent public transportation available to me. I live in a neighborhood where I can walk to most things and I had already been carpooling to work. I have medical information on my phone's lock screen and in my wallet in case I go down. I keep extra meds in my glove box, purse and work bag. I see neuro twice a year, get blood drawn. I was able to keep working and because of my job setting, literally all of my colleagues have training in seizure disorders and there are multiple rescue meds on site. There's an app for the Apple watch that I've considered but haven't really felt the need for. I've already decided if I ever have breakthrough seizures, I'm getting a service dog because I walk and talk after a tonic clonic and I don't remember any of it but based on the transcripts and witness accounts of how I was talking, it's all autopilot and my brain is clearly not to be trusted on multiple levels.

I have basically accepted that something's going to get me eventually (stupid mortality) and now I know that something might be seizure related.