Riding Rollercoasters With EpilepsyWhen you're an adventurous child filled with imagination and delight, amusement parks can be some of your best childhood memories. For me, it always started with the excitement that came...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
We Had Never Heard of Dravet Syndrome – Until His DiagnosisThe first time I Googled "Dravet syndrome" was the day we got our diagnosis for our son Will – the first time I had ever heard "Druh-vay." The very first...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Epilepsy Medication Changes: Striving for NormalcyLiving 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Trigger Truths: Tell Us About Your Seizure TriggersAre there certain situations that lead to your seizures? We call these seizure triggers. And the truth is, they're different for everyone. Of course, skipping doses of epilepsy meds is...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Swimming With EpilepsyDo you like to swim? I sure do. But even as an adult going for a splash, I know it's important to have someone else present when I'm in the...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Experimenting With CoffeeLet's talk about the amazing smell of freshly brewed hazelnut coffee. I love sipping on a cup while juggling two kids, a nonprofit, and school. It's my ultimate pick-me-up. Lately...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Loss of Speech After a SeizureSeizures start from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They affect muscle control and language. They also affect vision and movement. A seizure's impact depends on where the abnormal electrical...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Experiencing a Seizure Caused by a Medical TestI had to go in for some pulmonary testing, which included the pulmonary function test. This test requires you to do 4 different breathing exercises, some of which include a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Staying Calm and Managing Anxiety During a Hospital StayI had always been afraid of hospitals. The smell of disinfectant, the sterile environment, the unknown — it all made my heart race and my palms sweat. Could my fear...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
"But You Don't Look Sick?" And Other Questions I Get About My EpilepsyWhen 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Understanding Epilepsy Treatment and If Surgery Is an OptionA 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How Sleep Can Impact SeizuresWe 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Our Child Has a Dravet Syndrome... How Does It Affect His Siblings?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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Finding the Right Medication CombinationHaving 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Awakening Awareness About SUDEPWhen 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Mobility Aids: If You Need It, Use It!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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Stress, Anxiety, and EpilepsyStress, 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...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
From Healthy to Dravet2017 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Lesser-Known Seizure SymptomsA seizure is a short change in normal brain activity. This can cause changes in behavior, movement, or awareness. Symptoms like jerking and shaking movements are easy to notice. But...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Autoimmune Disorder: Is It Connected to Epilepsy?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...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments