Epilepsy Talk
Epilepsy Help! No-cost or low-cost drugs and patient assistance programs
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Today, things are constantly changing. Especially when it comes to epilepsy medications and resources.
Some companies have expanded their programs or even offer new ones. Others have cut their funds, and sadly others have ceased to exist.
Here’s a new and comprehensive list…
Tags: comprehensive list, Epilepsy, free, help, low-cost, medication, new, pharmaceuticals, resources
12 Epilepsy Travel Tips
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Traveling has never been easy, and people with epilepsy have always had to think twice about safety and managing medications while traveling. Since September 11, 2001, taking a trip has become even more difficult for people with epilepsy and their family members.
There are several reasons for this. Increased security is producing closer scrutiny of medications carried on flights, more questions regarding implanted Vagus Nerve Stimulators, and increased concerns about the possibility of having a seizure during a flight.
And not everyone knows what a seizure is or what to do. They may not recognize certain behaviors as being cause by a seizure. They may just think that a person who is confused during a seizure will become agitated or attack someone. Or in a mistaken attempt to help or detain, they may try to restrain that person.
So it’s mandatory to have written information from your GP or neurologist which explains about your epilepsy and the anti-epileptic medication you take, together with a list.
In short, protect yourself and identify who you are to avoid any mistaken perceptions…
Tags: checklist, contact information, double medication, Epilepsy, explanation, first aid, FREE ID, medical alert card, medication list, refills, schedule, Tips, travel, VNS
If you’ve just been diagnosed with epilepsy…
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You’ve just been diagnosed with epilepsy…
YOU’RE SCARED. Who wouldn’t be? THE DOCS. There are lots of terrific ones. THE TESTS. They can actually help to correctly diagnose your epilepsy. I’LL DIE. Not very likely. MY LIFE IS OVER. No, it’s not, but it will change…
Tags: auras, Epilepsy, fear, first aid, forums, help, ignorance, knowledge, Neurologist, prejudice, seizure diary, support groups, tests, triggers, websites
Preparing your child for brain surgery
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There is no “welcome” sign to the world of childhood brain surgery. And the resulting combination of fear, shock, and pain is almost too much to bear.
No amount of preparation or knowledge can help to ease or minimize the situation.
But preparing a child for surgery emotionally, is one of the most important things you can do. Surgery, without proper explanations and preparation, can traumatize a child…
Tags: books, brain, children, doctors', emotions, explanations, fear, hospitals, knowledge, nurses, preparation, reassurances, surgery
Autopsies – Where Did They Go?
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50 years ago, it was pretty easy to find out the cause of a loved one death.
Not so anymore.
An investigation published by ProPublica shows that hospital autopsies have become a rarity…
Tags: autopsies, insurance doesn't pay, mistakes undiscovered, not required, rare
What’s on your medical chart?
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When asked if they’d like to see their doctor’s notes, patients in two new studies overwhelmingly said yes. But doctors aren’t nearly as enthusiastic.
The idea of opening up doctor’s notes has been around for decades. Advocates figure that patient oversight will reduce medical errors and help patients be more engaged. Patients have a legal right to see their records. But actually getting those notes — especially those that doctors take during a visit can be painfully slow (and expensive!)
Tags: avoid mistakes, concerns, full disclosure, legal rights, medical chart
Epilepsy Nightmares – WHY?
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Fear. Screaming. Visions. Bright lights flashing. Hallucinations. Tongue biting. Pain. Paralysis. Pins and needles. Bed wetting.
Do any of these sound familiar?
One person described it as: “During the nightmares, I often get up and run out of the room screaming while still asleep, as if something is chasing me.”
It’s agony. And there’s little to explain it or stop it in its tracks…
Tags: anti-seizure medication, Epilepsy, fear, nightmares, REM, seizure monitor, sleep deprivation, TLE
MS or Epilepsy?
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Recently a woman wrote to me telling about the awful diagnostic disaster that she had been through.
In her words: “It took 3 years, 3 primary doctors, and 7 neurologists to diagnose me.
I told everyone that ‘it feels like my brain is shaking in my head.’
If they had listened to me the first time and had done a simple EEG, it would’ve saved us and the insurance company a lot of money!
I was misdiagnosed with MS after 4 MRIs. We had 3 trips to the ER. A lot of blood work. And on and on…”
Tags: autoimmune, epilepsy MS, misdiagnosis, neuroimaging, research sparse
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