Epilepsy Talk

What part of your epilepsy do you hate most? | November 2, 2024

You might find my answer trite: But I HATE falling down and walking into glass doors, walls, anything you can think of.

And my special talent is falling UP stairs.

My legs are a mess, I’m limping along, but refuse to give up.

Compared to others, I know I’m very lucky, but the concussions really stink.

And the anxiety never goes away.

To subscribe to Epilepsy Talk and get the latest articles, simply go to the bottom box of the right column, enter your email address and click on “Follow”


Posted in Epilepsy
Tags: , ,

12 Comments »

  1. R Stroud's avatar

    Hello 👋.

    hmmm?

    what socks 👀 🤔 about Epilepsy?

    a) it ain’t going away…

    b) going to sleep 😴 💤 knowing that this could be the last night 🌙 on earth.

    c) joints out of place, blood, etc.

    d) *** Advise (impractical and totally useless)…from people who Never had a Seizure..!!

    I often ask 👋🤔; is this what you do…for your Seizures?

    ***99% response***:

    They don’t have epilepsy….many have *never even seen* a seizure….or could tell i had a seizure right before their faces….Fascinating??!

    But, they have knowledge ✅️

    Wishing all Peace and Real Prosperity 🙏 ✨️ ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by R Stroud — November 2, 2024 @ 11:05 AM

    • Phylis Feiner Johnson's avatar

      You know R, I do agree with you. Ignorance is dangerous.

      On the other hand, I believe in their heart of hearts, people would like to help, if they only knew how.

      Instead of a seizure being a freak show, it should be an opportunity to go out of ourselves to help one another.

      It’s not brain surgery. (Pardon the pun.)

      Like

      Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 2, 2024 @ 12:01 PM

  2. debharley55's avatar

    I dislike the need to be placed on a restricted diet to avoid triggers, concussions and memory loss. There are many things I dislike but these are the top three.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by debharley55 — November 2, 2024 @ 11:14 AM

    • Phylis Feiner Johnson's avatar

      Deb have you considered the Modified Atkins Diet?

      I find it the most user friendly.

      Although it’s referred to as “MAD”, the Modified Atkins Diet is really the best of both possible worlds.

      This modified version of the popular high-protein, low-carbohydrate Atkins Diet can significantly cut the number of seizures in adults and children too.

      Offering a new lifeline for patients when drugs and other treatments fail or cause complications.

      It’s a less restrictive, higher in protein and carbohydrates, a dietary therapy for epilepsy for those who would otherwise use the Ketogenic Diet.

      So far, it’s been used and researched for the past five years with outcomes similar to the Ketogenic Diet.

      Recent data has also suggested this valuable new therapy leads to a rapid seizure improvement when effective.

      It’s not exactly know, how ketones reduce and eliminate seizures, or why the diet works for some and not others.

      Researchers are especially interested in why some remain seizure-free after discontinuing the diet.

      Further research is needed, since the Modified Atkins Diet has only been used since 2004.

      But it’s promising to note that clinical research did show that about half the patients experienced a 50 percent reduction in the frequency of their seizures by the first clinic visit.

      About a third of the patients halved the frequency of seizures by three months.

      Side effects linked with the diet, such as a rise in cholesterol or triglycerides, were mild.

      In general, the Modified Atkins Diet is recommended for: adolescents, adults, and younger children with difficulty staying on or starting the Ketogenic Diet…families with limited time…those lacking financial resources to cover the costs involved with the Ketogenic Diet…and patients at centers with limited dietitian support.

      Good news: The Modified Atkins Diet doesn’t deprive you of rich foods like butter, peanut butter, mayonnaise, oils, cheese, bacon, eggs, hamburger, and whipped cream.

      The diet doesn’t cause people to become overweight, and overweight people often lose weight.

      But daily supplements are necessary to replace vitamins that are missing in the diet. 

      Suggested vitamins include: Vitamin B-1…Vitamin B-2…Vitamin B-3…Vitamin C…Folate…Vitamins D…and Vitamin E.

      Check your multi-vitamin to see if ALL of these are included..

      Although there are considerably fewer side effects than with drugs, the Modified Atkins Diet for seizures can cause dehydration, constipation and, occasionally, kidney and gall stone complications.

      Side effects can also develop in those who are unable to digest large amounts of fat.

      As with all treatments, initial evaluation and careful monitoring by a neurologist, and a nutritionist are all mandatory.

      We do know that the Modified Atkins Diet for seizures is as effective, less restrictive, and far easier than the Ketogenic Diet.

      It’s an inexpensive alternative treatment option with few side effects that often works when all else has failed. 

      And that is good news for all of us who have tried previous diets and given up hope or even the strict discipline.

      Like

      Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 2, 2024 @ 11:46 AM

      • debharley55's avatar

        I agree with Atkins diet but I also must avoid process food, MSG, Dairy and gluten. It’s complicated with dairy allergy and gluten intolerance .☹️

        Like

        Comment by debharley55 — November 2, 2024 @ 11:53 AM

      • debharley55's avatar

        I agree about Modified Atkins Diet but mine have to be dairy-gluten free. Also no process food or MSG. I am allergic to dairy and gluten intolerance due to IBS. Gets crazy

        Liked by 1 person

        Comment by debharley55 — November 2, 2024 @ 11:59 AM

  3. Jeffrey Lee Hatcher's avatar

    Concealed stigmatization by (former) friends and potential employers.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Jeffrey Lee Hatcher — November 2, 2024 @ 11:30 AM

  4. Stephan Escabar's avatar

    The side effects to the medication – any med I’ve taken since starting off with 100mg of Tegretol over 30 years ago. Since then, the very best I’ve felt was 2 weeks after brain surgery. Which was a total of 4 straight weeks without taking medication for my epilepsy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Stephan Escabar — November 4, 2024 @ 3:45 AM

  5. Phylis Feiner Johnson's avatar

    So you’re between the devil and the deep blue sea. Which is better/worse? 

    Like

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 4, 2024 @ 8:14 AM

  6. Royvickie's avatar

    The headaches and the damage I do when I bite my tongue , lips and cheeks

    Liked by 2 people

    Comment by Royvickie — November 4, 2024 @ 5:24 PM


Leave a reply to Stephan Escabar Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    About the author

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    I've been a professional copywriter for over 35 years. I also had epilepsy for decades. My mission is advocacy; to increase education, awareness and funding for epilepsy research. Together, we can make a huge difference. If not changing the world, at least helping each other, with wisdom, compassion and sharing.

    View Full Profile →

    To receive Epilepsy Talk articles FREE, simply go to the bottom of the right column, enter your email address and click on "Follow"

    Join 3,108 other subscribers
    Follow Epilepsy Talk on WordPress.com