I was talking to a girl online who also has Epilepsy, Depression, and is a Psychology major. These are 3 things that define
me too!
She had the Vagus Nerve Stimulation implant (VNS), which gives her
brain electrical shocks and helps stop her seizures whenever necessary. She said
it has really helped her memory because she is not taking as many seizure medications,
although she still has to take some. She mentioned that because the implant
affects her brain, it also helps with her depression.
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| VNS |
As far as anti-seizure drugs affecting memory, I can vouch for that! I used to have a really great memory &
now, at the age of 30, I have more memory problems than I can remember... pun
intended!
I have had so many terrible side-effects
from the numerous seizure meds that I have been on, that I have lost count. Some of the side-effects are almost
worse than the actual seizures themselves. It's bad when the side-effects
negatively affect my in-class presenting skills and the instructor comments
"practicing would help." I wanna say: "Nope, I did practice! It's my meds. They
make me repeat myself and I forget what I'm saying". It Sucks!!!
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| ANTI-SEIZURE MEDS ARE ALSO USED AS MOOD STABILIZERS. THEREFORE, EVERYTIME I SEE MY NEUROLOGIST SHE SAYS TO ME: "HOWS YOUR MOOD, MELANIE" :) |
I use to be a really
good speaker, won forensics trophy’s, and acted in the theater, which
required performing in front of huge audience's. I stopped acting because my
seizures got in the way, and it got to the point where I couldn't even remember
a simple monologue to audition with-no matter how much and how hard I tried. I was probably
only 21-years-old at the time.
I was talking to my neurologist recently,
and she said that most people with Epilepsy also have Depression. That makes
since to me because I was diagnosed with depression soon after I was diagnosed
with Epilepsy. When you can't drive or live independently, you tend to get a bit depressed.
My epilepsy has always been pretty bad,
and I am currently on disability for it. I've had to drop out of a few college courses, here and there, because of hospital stays. Plus, I dropped out of high school my senior year because my seizures caused me to miss so much school that I couldn't graduate because of my absences. I even broke my ankle about a year ago and
was in a cast & crutches for a few months after having a grand mal seizure
and falling down a flight of stairs. At least I get some help paying for college with Vocational Rehab.
Because I have never been a candidate for
the implant before, I guess I just had to decide if I wanted seizures. If not, I
had to make myself willing to deal with all the side-effects of the anti-seizure medications. I currently take
3 anti-seizure meds at high levels & an anti-depressant. However, my seizures
have been better the last couple of months so maybe I should ask my neurologist
if I could be a candidate for the the VNS implant now!
It hasn't always been easy, but I'm glad all this happened to me because it inspired my passion in Psychology and Counseling. But, if I could become a candidate for The VNS implant, I would totally go ahead & get it!
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| AWESOME FOUNDATION!!! http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/resources/medical/vagus-nerve-stimulation-therapy.cfm CLICK THE ABOVE LINK AND CLICK ON 'DONATE TODAY' TO BECOME A FORCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST EPILEPSY! |
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| REMEMBER!! |
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ReplyDeleteIs that implant for all types of epilepsy? I have a minor case it's called JME, I have seizures but haven't had one in a few years, I've also been super careful. I was diagnosed in 2005 so I know how my body works with the epilepsy but I would still like to be seizure and twitch/jerk free.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand, Monica. I still twitch everyday. It unfortunately does not work with all types. I would ask your neurologist if it is applicable for you.
DeleteGood Luck! :)