Dealing with the side effects of life with a seizure disorder. - Epilepsy Message Board

IMNRVUS · 02-18-2007, 10:26 AM

Just curious......

How do you guys deal with the depression, anxiety, panic attacks, memory problems, weight gain, and the aches and pains of having a seizure disorder? Every once in a while, it becomes a little overwhelming to me. It's not just the waiting until the next seizure happens, it's everything else as well... especially what's caused by the medications we have to take. At times I'm an emotional wreck.
Other times, I can handle all of it with absolutely no problems.

persian85033 · 02-18-2007, 07:21 PM

I mostly just try to just...keep to myself as much as I can. The less I talk to other people about anything, the better. And for the weight gain, I try not to think about it.

antdec · 02-19-2007, 07:58 AM

hi i'm sorry to here your having a tought time, i get like that occasionally. On the meds it list depression as a side effect , i'm convinced that is due to the whole lifestyle changes we have to make ie; not driving, i feel like i've had my arms and legs chopped off, also not drinking cause it could bring on another seizure so therefore putting getting your licience back 12 months. (i'm not a massive drinker but it kills me sometimes to go out and watch all my friends getting slowly sizzled!) also the constant worry that like you say i'll have another seizure. i had my first seizure last year totally out of the blue and have had a total of 6. at the age of 30 i was convinced i'd got something horrible like a tumour but the docs have informed me it's epilepsy they can't give me any answers as to why or if it will stop. i've had problems coming to terms with it so not sure if thats why i get so fed up and frustrated, maybe i've still not accepted it i don't know. it can be totally over whelming. i'm not sure what advise i can give apart from to say your definatly not on your own even thought it feels like that sometimes, getting people to understand is also hard, my husband is a saint but sometimes it gets to him. we were due to start a family last year but then my seizures increased so we decided to hold off untill i was more stable. thats hard. it's easier said than done but try to stay positive xxxxx

IMNRVUS · 02-19-2007, 09:14 AM

Luckily, my GM's all happen while sleeping... narrowing down the cause to lack of oxygen due to sinus problems. I've always had trouble breathing while on my back... awake or asleep. Doctors hesitate to operate, but I've done OK sleeping on my side and stomach lately. I haven't lost my license because they all happen while sleeping and I'm on dilantin and ativan. They help with the simple partial seizures I've had for years. They're just scary and bothersome to deal with when I do have them. Drinking isn't a problem for me... maybe one or two drinks a month for me... and not around medicine time.
I knew I wasn't alone in this... just wanted to know how everyone deals with the side effects of the meds (the stress, emotions, and depression), and the seizures.