Mar
8
I’ve been planning on writing about this for a long time. I’ve started writing about this several times, but never finished. I’ve started and stopped this post about 5 times already. I get writers block when it comes to this.
What’s “this”?
“This” is something that changed my life. “This” is something that prevents me from having a drivers license, keeps me reliant on medication every day, and has put me in the hospital once a year or so. OK, now I’m getting overly dramatic.
You see, I have epilepsy. We don’t know why. After seven years, an MRI, and various tests of my brain functions, there’s still no explanation as to why I started having seizures when I was 18.
All things considered, though, I’m really lucky. Next month I will reach the one year seizure-free mark and the government will send my drivers license back. My neurologist tells me that I’ll likely grow out of my seizures and someday I might not even need to take medication. Of course, he said that would happen in my early 20s - and now I’m 25. I still need my medication.
There are many out there who are suffering much more that I am - I wouldn’t even say that I am suffering much at all. Last night I watched a segment on 20/20 about a young woman whose seizures were triggered by listening to music - any music. You often hear stories about people who have seizures while playing video games. There are people who have seizures - multiple seizures - every day. People who have brain surgery to end their suffering.
I don’t suffer. But it still sucks.
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12 Responses to “I don’t suffer. But it still sucks.”
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Wow.. I always wondered about seizures and why it effects a lot of young people. So you never found out the reason? I didn’t know they take your license away, but I guess it makes sense cause you never know when it might happen. I hope you never get it again and you truly grow out of it.
Hope for the best! Have a nice snowy evening!
Oof, that’s rough. I’m so sorry to hear that Erica. I will send out some positive wishes for you for no more seizures, ever again, and that you will get your driver’s license back.
My high school sweetheart (now my ex, but someone I still hear from occasionally) had this problem too - he also lives a totally normal life but somehow just as he gets really close to going long enough without a seizure to get his license back, he’ll go and have another seizure. He doesn’t know what triggers his. Do you know what triggers yours? It’s scary and frustrating that this can happen to you and prevent you from being able to drive.
On a totally unrelated note, I just clicked through to the blog from my feedreader, and I adore your new design.
Miss Squirrel’s last blog post..The Journey Begins
Wow, I am sorry to hear all that.
A guy I dated in High School had epilepsy. He kept it a secret from me and then one day we were sitting alone talking and it happened. I had no idea what was going on and I will admit it freaked me out really bad. He never ever spoke to me about it, even after that and I really wish he had.
I hope they find a cure for it… soon.
Monique’s last blog post..You Think You Know #3
Wow. I can’t even imagine, seizures seem scary to me, but I’ve only been around 1 person who had one and it was because of an accident, maybe I link it to that, I am not sure. It’s good that you seem to be getting better though, that’s really great news. Who knows, maybe you will be able to get off your medication someday! I can understand why it was difficult for you to start this post, but thank you for sharing something so deep and personal with us.
Kevin’s last blog post..Goompta this and Goompta that!
@Rebel - No, nobody has any idea why I started having seizures. There is no real reason, I guess!
@Miss S - I can completely relate to your ex’s situation - I havn’t had my license for more than a few consecutive months in years! It seems that nearly everyone knows someone who has seizures.
@Monique - wow, that must have been scary. I’m sure I’ve scared a ton of people when I’ve had seizures in public places.
@Kevin - I’m hoping to be able to stop taking my meds within the next couple of years…I know I’ll have to make some changes when I want to have kids anyway.
I can’t even imagine… Erica I want to give you a big hug! I’m so sorry to hear that and I hope and (will always now) pray that you do grow out of it soon. HUGS!
fragileheart’s last blog post..There is such a thing as too much snow
My best friend in high school had epilepsy. She really wanted to be a cop but was not allowed to even try. I haven’t talked to her for a long time. I hope she was able to find something else she wanted to do.
Laura’s last blog post..WomenBloom.com
[...] really lucky in that my epilepsy is not photosensitive or pattern sensitive. My seizures are completely controlled by medication - [...]
[...] really lucky in that my epilepsy is not photosensitive or pattern sensitive. My seizures are completely controlled by medication - [...]
[...] really lucky in that my epilepsy is not photosensitive or pattern sensitive. My seizures are completely controlled by medication - [...]
[...] catch-up: I have had epilepsy since I was 18 and randomly started having seizures. Since then, I have had a dozen or so major seizures in fun [...]
I know how you feel! Epilepsy sucks so bad. Especially when there is no underlined cause. I often feel like my life is slowly being taken away from me.
Thankfully your seizures are controlled and one day they will be a thing of the past.
Keep on living girly, you are inspiring so many…
Ps, I just stumbled accross your page… had 2 say something