44

You feel fine during the day and all of a sudden the next thing you remember is blurriness and confusion.

An aura is one symptom of a seizure

An aura is a symptom of a seizure beginning to occur. Some common signs that happen before a seizure are the following

• Strange smells or sounds
• A metallic or sour taste in the mouth 
• Blurry vision or temporary blindness 
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling the urge to vomit
• Feeling a sense of doom
• Dizziness/being light-headed
• Headache and nausea
• Numbness/tingling

Acting quickly if you spot these signs and being ready to seek medical help or perform seizure first aid is key! 

Fact

Not all seizures involve convulsions. In fact, some signs of a seizure are what others often mistake as daydreaming or staring at somebody. They involve a blank look on the person's face, rapid blinking of the eyes, and some chewing movements. Nothing is needed for these types of seizures except for reassurance and some emotional support. However, first aid is needed if there are indeed convulsions involved in the seizure. 

One wish...

43

Having seizures at work

It's happened to me before twice while I was a preschool teacher and twice when I worked in a science museum. It's not only humiliating, but there's always the fear of having my job taken from me.

42

Fear of having a seizure while trying to cross the street

I don't just have the fear of that happening...it actually did happen to me.
In November of 2007, the day after Thanksgiving that year, my mom let me walk to the library to take back a book that I had finished reading. After leaving the library and getting ready to cross the street, I had a grand mal seizure. Someone called 911 and I was taken to the emergency room at St. Joseph Hospital. Thankfully, I wasn't hit by any cars!
And luckily for me, I haven't had to go to the ER for seizures since that year.

41

Filing for disability more than twice, getting denied, and finally losing all faith in the social security/social service system. 

-jessi

40

Trying to stay hopeful and have faith, but you get bitter and mad as hell when you think you're doing well and have yet another fucking seizure! 

I've felt mad as hell so many times that I've lost count. I grew up feeling alone, bitter, and at one time, I had no optimism. Years ago, if you would've told me, "You're not alone. There's many people going through the same condition as you," I would've scoffed at you and said, "Sure damn easy for you to say!" Eventually I learned that I really was not alone and made a few friends online that have gone through the same feelings I have dealing with epilepsy.

39

The last thing I really want to hear from somebody is "Everything happens for a reason!" 

I'm sorry, but there is no damn reason for me to suffer having seizures and everyone including God still has yet to convince me otherwise! >:(

38

When you have absence seizures and people accuse you of daydreaming or ignoring them because of your inability to talk or respond. 

37

Being asleep for hours after having a seizure. Enough said?

Epilepsy problem #36

Inability to walk without help the next day after having a grand-mal seizure

A few years ago, I got my foot lodged under the kitchen table during a seizure and had a hard time walking properly for a few days afterward. It was badly bruised and swollen to the point where my shoes didn't fit. So I had to spend a few days wearing slippers until the swelling went down.

Epilepsy problem #35

Having a hard time being able to explain to people who have never had a seizure or don't have epilepsy the weird feelings or auras you get or even what it's like having a seizure. 

Epilepsy problem #34

Having to say that you're not doing anything illegal while taking pills out of your bag and taking them. 

There was a time when I did have to do that and man, it was so humiliating!