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Since I am not a doctor, I certainly am not qualified to talk about the why's and how's of neurological disorders. But I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was five years old and since I have lived with it as a part of my life for so long, I do feel qualified to talk about how it can affect a person from day to day.
I have always felt very fortunate that my family gave me the love and support I needed. They were always totally open and honest with me and others about my condition. Because of this, I have always been open about it with others and have never been ashamed of my condition. I feel that because of my acceptance of it, others can accept it as well. I have never been looked down upon or shunned because of it and I don't think I would know how to react if I was. It would be a totally new experience for me.
I have petit mal and grand mal seizures. The petit mal can occur at any time and the only warning I have are the "butterflys" in my stomache! As the fluttering gets stronger, I know the seizure is closer. I am not unconscious during these but I am paralyzed and cannot breathe. I am also subject to my body's movements. If my arm raises above my head, I have no control. When these occur at night, it is like a bad dream that jerks me awake and then takes over. I then collapse back onto the pillow when they are over. The grand mal only occur at night now during my sleep and the only way I know I have had one is when I wake up the following morning feeling like I was rammed into a brick wall over and over by a freight train! My husband of 22 years has always been wonderful and "watches" over me during these.
I do not call myself epileptic. I prefer to say I HAVE EPILEPSY. I have the epilepsy, the epilepsy does NOT have me! Here are some wonderful links --
What is Epilepsy all about
Famous People with Epilepsy
Women and Epilepsy
How to Write and Speak about Epilepsy
The Joys of Living With Epilepsy
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During all the years I have lived with epilepsy, I had never seen another person have a seizure. I knew what they felt like but no idea what they looked like. This changed when our oldest son was 4 years old and I would hear him breathing irregular after he had gone to bed at night. I would run to his room to find him sitting upright in bed, breathing very fast and with a "blank" stare. When it was over, he would collapse back on his pillow and resume his sleep. In watching him I realized that THIS is how I feel at night when I have a certain kind of seizure. We immediately took him to the doctor and they arranged for an EEG. The test results showed that they did not find epilepsy at the present time but it could surface in the future. He was diagnosed with ADHD tho. He is now 14 and has not had another "seizure" since he was 4 but the ADHD continues! The years have been very rocky to say the least. I dread mornings because I never know who will be getting up out of his bed -- the boy who can be sweet and loving or the ADHD devil.
Epilepsy and ADHD are very similiar in many ways! Each day, I see more and more. The severe mood swings, the memory loss and much, much more. Here are some wonderful links about ADHD --
My Son, ADD and Me
Jeffrey's ADHD Links Page
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