#44

 The emotional and physical abuse your body goes through having epilepsy is very difficult, if not impossible, to explain to someone who has never gone through it. Trying to explain the overwhelming emotions you have after having a seizure is frustrating 

Now you see me, now you don't!

 This is a true fact for me when it comes to dealing with epilepsy!

What you CAN see:

Love

Triumph

Laughter

Peace

Calm

Safety 

Joy

What you CAN'T see:

Flashbacks

Stress

Paranoia

Triggers

Trauma

Anxiety

Depression

Fear

Exhaustion

Insomnia

Pain

-jessi

43

When a new doctor talks to you about having a VNS implant as if it's your only hope of having control over seizures. 

When a doctor was telling me the best possible type of treatment would be the VNS implant, she was sounding as if that would be my only hope of having a life seizure-free. I don't like the word surgery to begin with. Plus there's no telling whether it would or wouldn't work. Everyone's different, I think.

42

When the injuries you get from your seizures make simple things like brushing your hair or getting dressed intensely painful. 

The summer before my senior year of high school, I had a grand mal seizure and ended up not only with a concussion and bad sunburn, but I had dislocated my shoulder. I couldn't lift it without being ready to scream.
Trying to put my shirt on hurt.
Trying to lift my arm so I could brush my hair hurt.
So I had to rely on my nan to help me do such things for the rest of the vacation, which very much sucked! :(

Valentine's Day

February 14th is coming up. Yup, that's right. It's Valentine's Day.

Now hang on a minute! Before you say that you hate it, let me say that it's not necessarily about JUST showing love for your significant other or your feelings about someone you're interested in. 

Would you be surprised if I told you Valentine's Day was really named after a patron saint who had epilepsy? Believe it or not, it's totally true. 

Valentine is, in fact, the German word for "fallen." At one time, epilepsy was considered "falling sickness" because of the fact that a lot of seizures caused those that had it to fall and lose consciousness. 

There are other stories that the bishop named Valentine von Terni freed the son of an orator from an epileptic seizure as well. 

Anyhow, when you think of all the hearts, cards, candy, and gifts for your significant other, do not think of just how you love your significant other. Love the fact that you are lucky to be healthy. And if you do indeed have epilepsy, love the fact that you're able to get through a day without having a seizure. :)

St. Valentine, pray for us! 

A piece of advice for you all

If you have to have an EEG done, cut your hair really short 2 days prior to having it done. Why? The glue that the technician put on your scalp to stick the electrodes on is incredibly difficult to wash out! When I had to have an EEG done, it took me 3 times to shampoo my hair to get all the glue out. 

Your hair will grow back eventually! 

41

Being denied dental treatment because of your epilepsy

I was diagnosed by a dentist today with 2 small cavities on my two front teeth...possibly from an old filling. Unfortunately, however, because of my epilepsy they won't give me treatment. I would have to be 6 months seizure free before they can fix the cavities and clean my teeth. I was really angry, but didn't show it.
Shit man! I'm lucky if I can even pass 2 months without having a seizure! So in the meantime, I'm stuck with small cavities and possibly never being able to get any dental treatment.
I thought ALL people had the right to get dental treatment...even those with chronic disabilities!!!
I wonder if anybody else with epilepsy has ever had this issue. And if they ever have gone 6 months without having a seizure, I'd love to know what their secrets are.