Epilepsy Talk

Weird epilepsy triggers…

March 28, 2023
2 Comments

Here’s a list of uncommon epilepsy triggers you may have experienced or know about.

Feel free to add to this list of the weird and the unknown…


Common epilepsy triggers…

March 27, 2023
7 Comments

Epilepsy affects each person differently. Below is a guide to some common seizure triggers. You may not feel or notice anything in particular. Or you may have triggers which are not mentioned here. Keeping a seizure diary is the most effective way of keeping track of what triggers your seizures.


A menu of epilepsy auras… 

March 23, 2023
10 Comments

One of the good thing about auras, is that if you’re aware of them, they’re effective (if unpleasant) warning signals of an oncoming seizure.

I didn’t learn to identify mine (mouth filling up with saliva and disgusting metallic taste) until I was well into my 20’s.


EEGs and beyond — which tests do you need?

March 17, 2023
4 Comments

How many of us have heard: “Your EEG is normal. You’re fine..” (“It’s all in your head?”)

I know of people who have had 5 EEGs, only to be properly diagnosed when they finally had Video EEG Monitoring. 

So if someone is trying to pass you off or is ignoring your symptoms, perhaps you should become a little more familiar with your diagnostic options…


Seniors — Alzheimer’s, Epilepsy or Seizures?

March 13, 2023
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The question of whether a person has epilepsy or Alzheimer’s can be a tough one.

Take those “senior moments” — memory lapses, zoning out and other temporary confusion. These seemingly harmless incidents may actually be a sign of epilepsy. Roughly 1-2 percent of seniors develop epilepsy — and that rate is rising.

But experts at the U.S. National Council on Aging warn that often epilepsy goes undetected in seniors.


How are your meds affecting you? 

March 10, 2023
4 Comments

They’re necessary, but not necessarily nice. And every med has its own side-effects. Just as different people experience different difficulties.

Here‘s the low-down on the possible side-effects of your drugs and the secrets they may hold.

Some might sound painfully familiar…


Anti-epilepsy drugs lose effectiveness over time…

March 7, 2023
3 Comments

It may be the dose prescribed…the type of epilepsy you have…even something as simple as your age or weight.

But research shows that, over time, the effectiveness of your anti-epilepsy drug may decline.


The Trouble with AEDs… 

February 19, 2023
4 Comments

At the very best, finding the right anti-epilepsy drug is a crap shoot. There’s always the hope that this one will do it.

Or maybe adjunct therapy will work. Or, sigh, the side-effects derail you and you’re on to the next.

Is asking for seizure control too much to ask?


Laughter as effective as cocaine?

February 11, 2023
2 Comments

Yup. A comic cartoon fires up the same brain center as a shot of cocaine, researchers report.


MS or Epilepsy?

January 19, 2023
2 Comments

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!”


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    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.

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