Epilepsy Talk
Epilepsy and Driving (A Small Rant)
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For three months I was “benched”. With three more months until my driver’s license was restored.
The authorities said, if I didn’t “surrender” my license by XYZ date (with the neuro and cardiologist’s report) a sheriff was going to show up at my front door and haul me away!
So, now, not only did I have epilepsy, I was a prospective CRIMINAL with epilepsy.
12 THINGS YOUR DOCTORS WON’T TELL YOU…
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Modern medicine can do miraculous things — but every test and treatment has a downside.
And your doctor may not disclose the dangers without prompting, a new survey finds.
Researchers surveyed 2,700 patients who’d recently decided whether or not to have surgery, take a medication, or undergo cancer screening.
Most reported their physician spent far more time talking up the benefits of each choice than explaining the risks.
Tags: alternatives, benefit, choose wisely, cost, disclose dangers, insurance, misuse, overuse, quotas, referrals, risks, side effects, underuse, unnecessary tests
Return from the Edge…
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I almost died.
For a while I couldn’t even read.
My brain needed rebooting.
They told me my heart had stopped and I was lucky to be alive.
It took me several months for my cognitive abilities to return.
Months during which I had plenty of time to think.
Drug Resistant Epilepsy News
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News of this groundbreaking scientific discovery comes from “zarabia” a member of the epilepsy support board at WebMD.com. It’s very exciting and offers real hope.
Confessions of 30 Years with Epilepsy…
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When I was first diagnosed as a teen, no one knew what to do with me.
My parents refused to use the “E” word. People treated me like I was some kind of pariah (which didn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy either).
Guys never called back for a second date.
The Dilantin made me feel like a zombie…I even went into a coma once.
Damaged Goods
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There’s something liberating in being expected to fail. No expectations, no explanations.
After all, “you’ll never amount to anything,” you’re damaged goods.
So you’re free to fall on your face. Or reach for the stars. I did both.
Tags: damaged goods, expectations, explanations, fail, fall on your face, reach for the stars, succeed
A Caregiver’s Guide to Survival…
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It’s called “burn out.” Because, let’s face it, being a caregiver is exhausting.
You may feel guilt, resentment, anger, anxiety or helplessness.
You may have to give up your income and career prospects to care for someone.
Even if you love the person very deeply, it can feel as though the focus is always on them and your needs and wishes go unnoticed.
Often you deal with the situation alone and feel very isolated.
(My mother-in-law didn’t leave the house for two years when my father-in-law was dying.)
But you can’t do anything to help another person if you’re a basket case yourself.
To be the best caregiver possible, you need to be physically and emotionally well, yourself.
After all, how effective can you be…
Tags: balance, burn out, caregiver, emotionally, health, help, isolated, physically, support group
The Hill-Burton Act: The Government’s Best-Kept Secret
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Years ago, two men with the last names of Hill and Burton created a bill which assists people with medical expenses, unable to pay them.
It’s only for people of limited financial means.
However, if you Google “Hill-Burton Act” or go to https://www.hrsa.gov/get-health-care/affordable/hill-burton/facilities.html you’ll find a gold mine of information about who qualifies, which facilities are obligated to provide free or reduced-cost health care and how to apply.
Epilepsy and Electrolytes
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It’s a situation often mentioned but rarely understood – the effects electrolytes have on seizures.
But a simple blood test can detect the danger of unbalanced electrolytes.
Taking extra doses of certain minerals can help to prevent side-effects that may follow the long-term use of some seizure medicines.
And taking supplements can help protect the brain (as can a B-Vitamin complex), but it’s no guarantee of seizure control, since there are a lot of different factors at play that can trigger a seizure.
But, making sure you have the right nutrients is just as important as having the right balance between all of them, so that proper electrical connections are maintained.
Tags: balance, blood sugar, Calcium, electrolytes, Epilepsy, magnesium, minerals, oxygen, potassium, seizure control, side effects, sodium, Vitamin-B
