Articles

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...

A 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...

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...

Are you looking for an epileptologist? Or are you not satisfied with the neurologist you are seeing? What kind of attitude are you looking for in your doctor? A doctor...

November is designated as Epilepsy Awareness Month. After just finishing up advocacy during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am a bit fatigued. I am a stage III breast cancer survivor and...

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and if you know someone living with epilepsy, this article will give you some practical ways to support a friend or family member living with...

I am always learning, relearning, applying, and reapplying what I learn. When you're living with epilepsy, this is a must! With November being Epilepsy Awareness Month, I've been reflecting on...

Living with epilepsy can be unpredictable and challenging. When I've explained my medical journey to those who ask – when speaking about my medication or viewing my surgery scars –...

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...

One of the many uncertainties of epilepsy that always lingers in the back of my mind is the fear of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This unexpected possibility brings...

A new friend of mine who doesn't have epilepsy but reads my columns replied, "Boy, you've really done a lot of things with epilepsy!" He went further and said that...

It can be hard to avoid planes. You may need to travel by air for work, family, or vacations. But, if you have epilepsy, there may be other complications. The...