Living

When I first began to go to a specific bar in Queens, New York, I did not drink alcohol because it is dangerous with AED medications and should be avoided...

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...

We have all heard how getting enough sleep is a crucial aspect of overall health. Getting the proper amount of sleep each night is important not only for your physical health...

When I was pregnant with Will, my second baby and Dravet child, I had their whole lives pictured in my head. I was an only child and was so excited...

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...

When first diagnosed with epilepsy, we can't understand everything all at once – particularly what all of our seizure triggers might be. How can people figure out what triggers their...

When a neurologist told my parents in 1970 that I was epileptic, he assured them it was nothing to be concerned about, despite the fact he was prescribing a strong...

It has been about 3 years since mobility aides were introduced into my life, and let me tell you, it was no easy feat. I did not want to need...

Stress, anxiety, and epilepsy are quite related in my life. But maybe this is all new for someone who never thought anxiety could trigger epilepsy. Learning about triggers can be...

2017 was one of the best years of my life. My husband came back from a deployment just in time for our son's 2nd birthday. We moved from South Carolina...

Let's rewind to 2018 when I found myself dealing with some thyroid troubles. At first, it all seemed pretty straightforward – my bloodwork showed irregularities, and the first endocrinologist I...

It is hard to face certain things concerning epilepsy. One of epilepsy's biggest challenges? Medication. Every medication has a different effect on every person. What controls seizures for one person...

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...

Medication used to be my least favorite part of my seizure care plan. However, over the past couple of years, my perspective shifted, and medical imaging took precedence. But despite...

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...

In the nearly 60 years that I've had epilepsy, I've been able to identify a lot of triggers. But besides the usual – i.e., being negligent in taking my medicine...

After half a century on medications to control my epilepsy, I've had enough "cocktails" to stump a bartender! Haha! Kidding aside, no mixture of medications or juggling the amounts or...

It is always good to learn about the conditions you're living with in depth to know about yourself and potenial treatment options. Since I was 6 years old, I've been...