I'm epileptic mom and my job is ...

Laura - posted on 03/08/2010

Hi Sandy, I've never had it so bad that I needed surgery, I'm really sorry that your son has had to go through. I had photosensitive epilepsy as a child, i took epilim then, i think that's an older drug but it works quite well for children and young people. I was seizure free for about 7 years but then it came back when i was 19, part of me feels this was due to my shall we say student lifestyle, so that's something to watch, i've learnt my lesson the hard way with regards to alcohol. As for my medication now i take lamotragine, it makes me feel alot better and i'm on a fairly low dose. I had a seizure late last week and didn't think much too as i've been working too hard recently, i've been a little jumpy this morning too and my mum kinda had to drop everything and look after the baby. But like i said i know why it happened, so bang goes the driving licence for a year. It really is about lifestyle in combination with your drugs, getting enough sleep is so important. I think it's strange i went through all of pregnancy, child birth, and those first few months being fine though and now i have a seizure. I did have a miscarriage before i had my daughter, the pregnancy was unplanned and i was still taking epilim which i think increases the risk of spina bifida by about a further 8% than the risks with lamotragine. I don't know that that drug works well in children though, or that it would even be strong enough for your son because his epilepsy sounds much more severe, you'd need to discuss it with his neurologist because i know your weight comes into it with regards to how much you can take.

Sandy - posted on 03/01/2010

Hi Laura,
You are definitely one of the lucky ones. Congrats! Are you on medicine? If so, what is it and the dose? I am still trying to help my son control his seizures but it's been over 10 years, 6 brain surgeries, and most of the drugs have failed ... leaving him still having seizures.
Sandy Lora

Sandy - posted on 03/01/2010

Ivis,
Wow! I am amazed at your accomplishments while still having seizures. My son (11) is not seizure free and looks like he never will be. It's frustrating!! His life is being interrupted with the seizures and they have gotten worse. How often do you have seizures and what type?
Sandy Lora

Ivis - posted on 03/01/2010

That is not aways true. I am a teacher, a mom, a spouse, and I have epilepsia. I have a bachelors degree in Elementary Education. By the way my epilepsia has never been seizure free.

Laura - posted on 03/01/2010

Sandy is right. I have epilepsy and it doesn't affect my life at all, I can drive, I have a degree, a healthy baby, and I may be going to graduate school next year to get my masters. Some people have it so bad they even need a carer, but for the majority of people it can be controlled with medication and lifestyle changes. E.g. Making sure you get enough sleep, not drinking alcohol, not bathing your baby alone.

Sandy - posted on 02/27/2010

It all depends on the severity of the Epilepsy. Some Epileptics have seizures that are controlled and they don't interfere with their lives or jobs. While others have limitations due to the seizures and some even have disabilities that limit their work opportunities.

Agne - posted on 02/27/2010

It is interesting what jobs do have moms who have epilepsia. Is it truth that people who has epilepsia are not so good educated, has not so good and bad payed jobs?