An update on my health…

I have had a lot people ask how my health is going in regards to my epilepsy. So, I figured I would update it here. If anything I want people to understand epilepsy and learn from my experiences. This also keeps me from having to explain it to everyone – although I don’t mind at all sharing. I feel like I need to be an ambassador to the epilepsy community – as many have other debilitations that keep them from articulating their problems.

I learned yesterday that I won’t be able to go back to work for at least two more months. I need to have an assessment at Emory Epilepsy clinic and a follow up doctor appointments – which will take two months to complete. My doctor won’t clear me until that is done. I was so disappointed when I heard this news – but I’m over it now. I just need to accept it and hope I have a job when I become fully able to work.

As far as seizures I’ve improved a lot. I don’t know when my last seizure was but it must have been a couple of weeks ago. I increased the amount of pills that I take (again) and this seems to have stopped the seizures. But – wow – there are some side affects! I’m experiencing mental “fog”, fatigue, sleepiness, quick temper and some weight gain. Also, when I take my meds, I get high. It is kind of weird, and now I sometimes ride my bike on the sidewalk (blasphemy) as I seem to be too shaky to ride in traffic on the road. Finally, I still have problems remembering and recalling, but this seems to have improved.

My brain has improved but I seem to be in a mental fog during the day. Sometimes I feel like it is improving, but at other times I miss words and forget my thoughts. In the morning it seems to be worse – but it could be that I’m more frustrated about it and then I get used to it throughout the day. I like how the brain works: It truly is an amazing organ. I can – at most times – finish articulating my thoughts without recalling the word(s) I want to use. I use “that”, “it” or “Thingamajig” instead of a name of an item. I use “you”, “guys”, “they”, “them” and “y’all” instead of using peoples’ names. Or I describe what an item does instead of calling it out by name (“look at your reflection” – instead of “look into the mirror”). The brain helps compensate for the loss of words - but there are times when I have to stop talking and search for the words.

The worst part is the fatigue and sleepiness that I am experiencing. I sometimes take two or three naps a day. They are usually after lunch and sometimes only last 5 minutes – some are several hours. One time - I had five naps in a day. I’ve tried “Five Hour Energy Drink” but that doesn’t even stop me from feeling drowsy. I hope this goes away. I had some blood drawn this morning to see how the meds are affecting my liver and such. Also, this might help me understand how the sleepiness can be mitigated.

For now, the seizures have stopped and I hope forever. In the recent past, I have gone several months without seizures, so I have my fingers crossed. I’m still riding my bike and I can’t wait to get back in my jeep. Time will tell….

Off for a nap...