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I Have Epilepsy

I have epilepsy and I thought this was a good topic to start. Not many people know anyone who has epilepsy, and those who do, do not know how to handle someone who is having an epileptic seizure. There are several kinds of epileptic seizures and unfortunately I have, the worst kind, grand mal. I never know when I am going to have one, which is very scary. So, I know that it has to scare the people I am around daily. I even tell people about it when I first meet them, just in case. I was told that anytime a person has a seizure, you should simply do your best to ensure that they are not going to swallow their tongue or hurt themselves in any way. I grew up with a boy in my class who had seizures and they would cause him to lose his temper and throw things (Once it happened to actually be the cafeteria table). I have had seizures only for the last decade or so, so it is still very new to me.

Epilepsy I

Silverjade, thanks for sharing your experience. Are you under medication for your Epilepsy? I thought that once you take the medications, the seizures are controlled?

Also I would be interested in knowing what to do if I see someone with an Epilepsy seizure. I am sure there are things a person should and should not do. Thanks.

I Have Epilepsy Health & Special Psychology

Thanks LDS, I appreciate the comment. Yes, I was put on a medication called Dilantin shortly after my seizures started. I took it a couple times a day and went to the doctor every 3 months or so to get my blood tested. Not too long ago, my doctor had to take me off of Dilantin because I had become immune to its benefits. I then switched to a medication called Depakote, which I am still taking.

If you see someone who has an Epileptic seizure, then you need to call 911 immediately. If there is no way to call 911, then there are steps to follow:
1. Remain calm
2. Make sure you place the person on a soft surface (rug or sofa if you are inside; grass if you are outside.
3. Loosen tight clothing they might be wearing and remove their glasses
4. Put something soft under the person's head, like a pillow or a jacket and place them on their side. This helps ensure that they will not swallow their tongue and they will not choke if they get sick during the seizure.
5. Never try to restrain the person
6. Stay with the person until he or she wakes up

Epilepsy I

Seizures and other extreme events in the brain

How do epileptic seizures develop? A new model may help to answer this question. Physicists have developed a model whose behavior -- although based on strict rules -- can apparently change spontaneously. There are also changes of this type in nature, for example, in the development of migraine attacks or epileptic seizures. The mechanism, described for the first time by the researchers, could help to better understand extreme events such as these. Ref. Source 3i.