Derra Howard

Where did the spoon-in-mouth myth during a seizure come from? I always wondered where it came from. So I looked it up. In medial writings from the 19th Century, people...

Epilepsy is more than a medical condition. It tests your limits, reshapes your priorities, and ultimately teaches resilience. You become adaptable. My journey with epilepsy has been a journey marked...

After a year and five months of weaning off phenobarbital, I stopped the process. I stopped the process because I needed some normalcy again. I’m not sure if it was...

Living with epilepsy can be complex at time. I have been looking for the perfect medication combination for a year now. I have tried several medications, but it truly has...

It's been a year on this journey of finding the right medication to replace phenobarbital. I won't lie. It has been challenging. I have dealt with a range of challenges...

Life as the founder of an epilepsy nonprofit has been a whirlwind of experiences. In July, I was able to pull my resources and network together for a good cause:...

My seizures are triggered in various ways. Like most people with epilepsy, we learn our triggers over time. I’ve learned my seizure triggers are lack of sleep, drinking, stress, and...

Editor's Note: Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or treatment plan. Living with epilepsy means navigating the world of medication to find what works best...

In today's diverse workplaces, I often face significant challenges due to stigma and discrimination associated with my epilepsy. Overcoming these obstacles requires a concerted effort from both individuals and organizations...

Finding the right doctor can be a trying task. I thought I had found the right doctor. So much so, that we came up with a two-year plan to wean...

Hey fabulous souls, it's Derra Howard, your guide in the world of style and resilience. Today, let's dive into a topic that's close to my heart – navigating life with...

Living with epilepsy has been a journey filled with twists and turns, and the quest for the right medication is a delicate dance between hope and uncertainty. Recently, I made...

A few years ago, I went to the doctor to see if I qualified for epilepsy surgery. I stayed in the hospital over 2 weeks. I did not qualify because...

Having side effects with any medication is inevitable unless you luck out. However, my medications really didn't start to give me any issues, per se. It was the long-term side...

Embarking on a transformative journey with the Epilepsy Foundation of America and the Public Health Institute in Atlanta, my mission was clear: to enhance seizure safety awareness within law enforcement...

A few years ago (in 2018), I tried to get off of phenobarbital with another doctor. However, it was a frightening experience for me and my family. My doctor at...

I was rushing down the stairs at my apartment complex and had a seizure. Mind you all, I live on the third floor of my apartment complex. I never thought...