How to Understand Epilepsy

An estimated 2.5 million people in the United States have epilepsy. As the public gains a better understanding of epilepsy, the stigma associated with this disease is decreasing.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Understand that any type of recurrent seizure pattern may be called epilepsy.

2. Realize that epilepsy is thought to be caused by an electrical disturbance in the nerve cells of one part of the brain. The disturbance causes the cells to give off abnormal and uncontrollable electrical discharges.

3. Be aware that messages to and from the body are carried by the nerve cells of the brain. In the epileptic brain, some of these nerve cells continue to fire after a task is completed, as if stuck in the "on" position.

4. Understand that during this period of uncontrollable electrical discharges, parts of the body regulated by the misfiring cells will act erratically. This event is known as a seizure.

5. Realize that there are different types of seizures. They can cause loss of consciousness, jerking of all extremities or, in the case of statis epilepticus, a series of grand mal seizures that can cause severe brain damage.

6. Consider that idiopathic epilepsy is epilepsy with no known cause, whereas symptomatic epilepsy has a known physical cause, such as a brain tumor, head injury or hormonal disturbance.

Tips & Warnings

• Epilepsy is diagnosed through ECG/EKG and MRI. These tests help to locate the area of the brain that is firing abnormally.
• If you have any questions or concerns, contact a physician or other health-care professional before engaging in any activity related to health or diet. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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on 8/28/2006 I take 1 Epilim 500 4 times a day, and to be honest I'd rather have the fits..

The list of side effects is pretty scary, here's some facts:
Nausea and diarrhea in the first few days, is common.
A tremor of the hands is often noticed in patients taking Epilim over the long term.
Weight gain and loss of hair (usually reversible) can also occur. Hair is slightly curly when it grows back.
Prolonged bleeding if injured.
Tendency to bruise more easily.
Increased/decreased alertness, hyperactivity, depression, excitement, depression, dizziness, appetite, aggression.
Very rarely, Epilim may produce acute liver disease, and there have been instances of acute liver failure, some fatal.
Minor abnormalities of liver function are common in patients taking most anti-epileptic drugs, but evidence of increasing abnormality would require substitution of Epilim.

Tough choice, eh..?

At least when I have a fit I don't remember anything about it. Afterward my brain feels relaxed, like months of stress has suddenly been released from my head!

At times a fit can really hurt me, I've also knocked a few teeth loose, but this is marginally better than the medication.

Why? I just don't feel like 'me'. One minute I'm up and the next I'm down.It's hard to keep track of myself sometimes.