Epilepsy Talk
When it’s not “just” epilepsy… | June 21, 2024
At least 50 percent of adults with active epilepsy are also living with other health conditions say experts at a leading epilepsy medical research charity.
Several diseases, including depression, anxiety, dementia, migraine, heart disease, peptic ulcers and arthritis are up to eight times more common in people with this neurological disorder.
And most premature deaths in people with epilepsy are related to other health conditions, particularly cancers and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.
Most seizures end on their own and cause minimal concerns.
Yet during some seizures, people can injure themselves, develop other medical problems or life-threatening emergencies.
The overall risk of dying for a person with epilepsy is 1.6 to 3 times higher than for the general population.
In other words, epilepsy isn’t just a condition. It’s a curse.
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Resources:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(15)00225-2/fulltext
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2802344/
https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/news/its-not-just-epilepsy-says-expert
https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics/how-serious-are-seizures
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Epilepsy Talk 
Thanks for writing. True for me, true for most. Forgive my language, but epilepsy sucks!
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Comment by qmfub — June 21, 2024 @ 12:15 PM
No apology needed. You hit the nail right on the head.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — June 21, 2024 @ 12:24 PM
Considering the fact that my temporal lobectomy was the first of six different surgeries I had, I would say I didn’t just have epilepsy. My surgeries seem to have a pattern from top to bottom. After the brain surgery in 2000, we came down to the eyes in 2014 and had cataracts removed from both eyes. Then in 2022 a little further down the body, I have a quintuple bypass. Originally, I was scheduled for surgery for an abdomial aortic aneurysm but that surgery had to be moved back two months because of the bypass. Complications occurred so I had a second and third surgery for that. Later that year, my wife didn’t like a small sore I had on my lower arm so she set me up for an appointment which led to another surgery for skin cancer. When it comes to surgeries, I never get bored so eight weeks ago I had my left hip replaced. Why stop there? I’m looking at having the right hip replaced next spring.
Sorry for that sad story but what I wanted to point out is that my temporal lobectomy left me with no fear for any of the other surgeries. If your brain can take it and come out looking good, the rest should follow right behind.
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Comment by Ed Lugge — June 21, 2024 @ 3:57 PM
Ed, you rock. I always look forward to your stories (sad/bad that they may be) to hear the optimism coming out of the other side.
You are not only a “man made” miracle, you are brave, resistant, and compassionate for those in a similar boat.
Hip, hip, hooray for you! All puns intended!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — June 21, 2024 @ 5:46 PM
I OCD my whole life which is depressing in itself. Love working with my hands love to crochet , paint, golf but my arthritis is taking all that away too, the meds I have to take make me feel emotionally empty. Almost thinking of trying to get off the meds it’s so frustrating. Hate to sound like I feel sorry for myself because there are other people a lot worse off.
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Comment by JackSad — June 21, 2024 @ 4:16 PM
Jack it is sad when you are deprived of doing the things you like most and do best. And everyone – without a doubt – hates their meds. (Unless it’s marijuana. Now, that’s a thought. Stay tuned for the upcoming article.)
Don’t play a doctor, quitting your meds cold turkey. You CAN ramp down or change, but you must have supervision. I tried to quit everything cold turkey. It was ugly.
As for feeling empty, you have to get out of yourself. Whether it’s spending time with (positive) friends, joining a support group (you’d be amazed how helpful they are), or volunteering for those who really need your help.
As you said, those who are worse off than you.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — June 21, 2024 @ 5:55 PM
You are absolutely right I definitely wouldn’t try it unless it was under a doctors supervision. Can’t wait to see the article about marijuana!
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Comment by JackSad — June 21, 2024 @ 6:22 PM
I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back, type 2 diabetes, arthritis in my knees from falling on them so many times. Arthritis in my hands. TMJ from clinching and grinding teeth during seizures.
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Comment by Royvickie — June 21, 2024 @ 5:47 PM
Vickie, you have a whole lot of nasty stuff to deal with. How do you do it all?
I think we could probably learn a lesson or two from you.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — June 21, 2024 @ 6:00 PM