hi everyone. i was really just diagnossed with seizures. i had 2 on thursday. boy, they are not fun at all. i had 2 grand mal from what people tell me. i dont remember a thing from after them, or parts of friday. i was in the hospital untill saturday. but i had a slight fever, and i still do, is this normal?? then, i just dont feel myself. i dont know how to explain it. i feel like part of me is lost. since i cant drive, i have to ask others to take me places, and do things for me, i feel helpless. did anyone else ever get this way after just getting diagnosed? I dont know if it was because i was just supposed to go back to work, and now i cant. I'm just looking for advice.if anyone out there can help me, i would appricaite it. my hubby started out to be suppotive, but he isnt very much now. i dont know why.

cheryl

Hi Cheryl,
I am happy that you joined this board, but sorry you had to have seizures to be lead here! You'll find alot of support here, and some answers....some advice. I believe that many of us here have shared most of the pain, anger and frustration that you are dealing with right now. Next month it will be two years since I have driven. I HATE IT!!! But, we have no choice but to accept the fact that we have epilepsy. Don't be too hard on your hubbie. He is probably hurt and feels as helpless as you do. You probably need to have a good cry together. Then, cuddle up and do your best to move on. Remember, don't let "E" define who you are. Good luck. I hope you achieve good seizure control ASAP. Kathy

Hi Cheryl,
Im also reletively new to seizures, due to a head injury i got in January. My husband also supported me at first then became withdrawn and pretended it wasnt happening. He has now returned to being supportive, he has become involved with my doctors and all. I believe he withdrew because he didnt want to accept anything wrong with his "supermom/superwife" I think maybe if he pretended that it wasnt real then it would go away. That is our experience and maybe your husband may be feeling that way too. I also cant drive and dont know if I will be able to again, at least not anytime soon. I dont have grand mal but partial complex. It has changed my life dramatically and i have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder/panic attacks/anxiety. I will be seeing a new psychologist today before the psychiatrist so they can put me on yet more meds, but hey if it helps me feel something close to the old me then im willing to try. Maybe you are feeling some depression because of how your life has changed and how others now see you. Lets face it, not everyone looks at this with an open mind. Maybe talking with a therepist or something might help. I do wish the best for you and hope things get better. Take care of yourself, i know that trying to deal with all this can draw you away from doing that. Im nowhere near the same person i was. But hang in there hon, im hoping it gets better.
God Bless,
Angi

hi again. i also wanted to ask, if anyone in here was on dilantin, and had swollen glands, and a fever from it? i have a small fever of about 99.7 that i just can not get rid of, and my right glands are so swollen, you wont believe it. and i know swollen glands is a side effect of dilantin. but my family dr dont think it has anything to do with it. so he called me in an antibiotic just incase. but, i'm just trying to get other input. i see my neuro tomorrow.

cheryl

Cheryl, I know exactly how you feel. I was diagnosed with epilepsy approx 2 1/2 years ago. It was all of sudden that one night I went to bed and then the next morning I woke up in the hospital staring at my husband. I was freaked out because I too could not remember anything, but felt like someone kicked me around for a while. My husband too was very supportive at first, but then he kind of just slipped away and I fell into a deep depression. I wasn't put on dilatin, I was prescribed depakote, which thankfully I was allergic to, but didn't realize it until about 2 wks after starting. I felt so alone for a long time and when I tried to talk to someone and explain, they just didn't seem to want to help. It took me a long time to pick myself back up. I sometimes still have bad days, but not as many. Hang in there things will get better. Right now it probably feels like you being thrown around on a rollercoaster of emotions. Take care of yourself! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi Cheryl,
I was diagnosed 15 years ago and still feel that way from time to time. I lose my license this past year, so my wife is my chauffer (<------not sure about spelling). At first it bothered me quite a bit, but now we joke around about it, like me giving her tips for the ride and stuff like that. I used to take Dilantin, too, and had to change because of problems similar to what you are experiencing. I was changed to Tegretol. I don't have grand mals anymore, but have partial seizures. They're not near as serious, but a major inconvenience. Best of luck to you.
Mike

Hi, Cheryl
I had my first GM when I was 17 and I've had just about every kind of s. And you're right: they suck like mad. As for other people, look, Cheryl, if they actually see you have a GM there's a good chance they won't be able to think of you the same way again; they've just had a very frightening experience. I had a s at home one night when I was in my teens. My father never spoke to me again. I was too painful for him: his own sister was a GM e. It was just too much. My mother and sister have never mentioned my e to me: the subject is taboo. Again, too painful for them. I've had many people change in relation to me over the years. It's OK. If you can keep the conversation open, that's gonna help a lot. Even with the best possible intention, it's hard to ignore stigma associated with e. We have to be gentle with these people.
God bless
Peter