Explaining My Epilepsy To OthersIt has always been difficult to explain my epilepsy to my family and peers. There are a handful of reasons for this. However, the largest obstacle is that I don't...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Hating My Seizures, Loving My Family... and Finally Getting a VNSNothing – and I repeat nothing – has provoked more hatred from me than a particular restriction that was imposed upon me because of epilepsy. Likewise, nothing has aroused the...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Seizure Precautions: Things I Do to Stay SafeSafety is so important. No matter how recent your last seizure was. If you are taking medication or are still diagnosed with epilepsy, you should always be prepared. Although it...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Searching for the Right Medication: My Experience With KeppraWhen I was 18 (8 years ago), I recall wanting to switch from my 50mg carbamazepine medicine to Keppra (levetiracetam) after reading a Facebook group's review of how it had...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
7 Ways to Prepare for Bed in Case of a Seizure While SleepingSome may ask how I know when I had a seizure in my sleep. Honestly, I wake up with war wounds. I usually wake up feeling extremely tired, even though...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Does Weather Affect Epilepsy?When a person with epilepsy has a seizure, the electrical activity in their brain is disrupted. Clusters of nerve cells, called neurons, send too many electrical signals at too fast...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Questions to Ask Your Neurologist About Your Epilepsy"I think you have temporal lobe epilepsy, and occasionally have secondary generalizations." My very first appointment with a neurologist came a few days after running a marathon in Seattle when...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Epilepsy and Developmental DelaysEpilepsy is a brain disorder that causes seizures. The condition affects about 6 out of every 1,000 children aged 0 to 17. Some children with epilepsy have developmental delays. About...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Auras, Hallucinations, and What a Seizure "Feels Like""What does it feel like to have an epileptic seizure?" People have asked me that and I've returned them glances probably like I thought they were morons. Isn’t it simple?...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
My Epilepsy Support Group ExperienceI have multiple illnesses and disabilities so when I enquired about a support group for epilepsy, my GP at the time told me I was "too different for one of...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
The Realities and Acceptance of the Caregiving RoleSome of us are natural-born caregivers and some of us need more time and energy to learn the skill of caregiving. It is a balancing act of caring for yourself...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My Tips for Remembering to Take Epilepsy MedicationHaving epilepsy brings on a whole lot of other symptoms and each medication has many possible side effects. For me, and many others, one of the biggest issues we can...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Epilepsy and Anger: Calming the Incredible Hulk Within MeMy mom had a nickname for me during my teen years, but she didn’t mean it in a doting way: "Dr. David Banner." Some of you are familiar with that...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Experiencing Hyperemesis Gravidarum With EpilepsyBeing pregnant can often mean morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting are in store. And sometimes, this escalates to the next level... Hyperemesis gravidarum is no joke. Combining this with the...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
"What-If" Moments When Living With EpilepsyA common thing ill and disabled people experience – like those of us with epilepsy – is grief and grieving the person they could've been or the things they used...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Seizure Smart Schools are Crucial for Teachers and StudentsSeizure education for teachers was something I'd never thought about while growing up because I wasn't diagnosed with epilepsy until my mid-20s. In my small Minnesota town, I'd never witnessed...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Why am I Grateful?The holiday season is always an exciting time. It's especially joyful when you can share your traditions with your children. Last year, my daughter was too young to understand. But...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Seizing the Day and Substitute Teaching!There's a job opportunity for the epileptic community with the nation's drought of teachers – and substitute teachers. From all the people I've gotten to know, I think that a...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
What Triggers My Epilepsy?In an earlier article I wrote about my top 3 seizure triggers – anxiety, overworking, and intense emotions. But when it comes to what increases my seizure activity, my list...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
What Is the Social Health Network Community?Like our other Health Union condition communities, the Social Health Network brings people together to drive unique and impactful conversations about health. It also aims to expand opportunities for health...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments