Epilepsy Talk

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.


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.


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?


Other Voices…Other Lives…

February 16, 2023
6 Comments

“There were times I asked myself,
‘Is life really worth living?’
Suicide, now there’s a thought,
But would God be forgiving?”

Ed L.


Traumatic brain injuries and epilepsy — what you need to know

January 15, 2023
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In a fraction of a second, head trauma can dramatically change a person’s life.

Head trauma caused by falls, physical abuse, violence, vehicle crashes and sporting accidents, not to mention modern warfare.

However, it’s important to realize that not all head injuries, even severe ones, result in seizures. And seizures frequently occur in people who haven’t experienced head trauma.


Which of these is the cause of your epilepsy?

January 7, 2023
19 Comments

In some 6 out of 10 cases, epilepsy is idiopathic — meaning the cause is unknown. In other cases, epilepsy can be traced to an abnormality of the structure or function of the brain.

These abnormalities can arise from traumatic brain injuries, strokes and other vascular problems, infections of the nervous system (meningitis or encephalitis), congenital malformations, brain tumors or metabolic abnormalities.

Seizures can literally begin at any time for any number of reasons.

Here are just a few of them.

Which pertain to you?


Is there a connection between seizures and hormones?

December 6, 2022
13 Comments

Many women with epilepsy have asked their doctors about the connection between seizures and hormones. But not every woman has seen her concerns given the attention she’d hoped for.

Although it is not very well understood at this point, there are scientifically documented connections between seizures and hormones that not all physicians are educated about.

What are hormones?


Epilepsy and memory…

November 5, 2022
25 Comments

To say that lack of memory is a major worry for those of us with epilepsy is hardly a surprise.

In fact, it’s the number one concern.


Conditions commonly misdiagnosed as epilepsy…

October 14, 2022
23 Comments

A moment of unresponsiveness — the inability to recall what just happened…convulsions or jerking movements…sudden stiffness of the body.

These are classic symptoms of an epilepsy seizure — triggered by abnormal electrical impulses in the brain.

And while these symptoms may indicate epilepsy, other brain abnormalities or injuries could also lead to seizures.

Having a seizure doesn’t automatically mean you have epilepsy.  And without testing, the diagnosis – or misdiagnosis – can be pretty scary.

There are loads of conditions that have symptoms similar to epilepsy. 

Here are the most common…


Sleep apnea — it’s not just what you think it is

September 11, 2022
8 Comments

It’s not just snoring. It’s much more dangerous than that. Even deadly.

The estimated prevalence in North America is approximately 15 to 30 percent in males and 10 to 15 percent in females, But, as much as 40 percent of epilepsy patients suffer with undiagnosed sleep apnea. Especially those with refractory epilepsy.


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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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