Apr 14: What is Epilepsy? Pt.2

Here is more of the epilepsy info snippet (Epilepsy Q. And A.) that I started last week:

The brain is very much a mystery.  Scientists are still working to understand it, and to understand the causes (and effects) of blips and seizures.  But, everyone’s brain is wired a little differently so what may work for one person may not work for someone else. 

Some symptoms of seizures are: 

• Change to how things look, taste, smell, sound or feel 

• Dropping to the ground for no apparent reason 

• Fear, déjà vu, anxiety or other emotional or cognitive symptoms (more frequent that normal) 

• Loss of awareness or consciousness 

• Missing time 

• Repetitive movements like walking in circles, swallowing, lip smacking, eye blinking, chewing or hand rubbing 

• Spontaneous sensory differences like tingling, dizziness or flashing lights 

• Staring into space / day dreaming 

• Temporary confusion 

• Uncontrollable jerking of the legs and arms

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Weslee confessed to me this weekend that he HATES taking the trash to the dumpster because he is terrified he will have a seizure on the concrete parking lot. I can understand that. He doesn't know that I often watch him... just to make sure.

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Please help with Weslee's medical expenses. Click here.  Thank you

Apr 11: What is Epilepsy? Pt.1

Thought I would include daily (kinda) snippets about seizures and epilepsy. Here we go!

Most basic bit:

Epilepsy is a disorder in the brain and or central nervous system (neurological) that is marked by abrupt ongoing occurrences of sensory disturbance, convulsions, or loss of consciousness, associated with atypical electrical activity in the brain. This brain activity is abnormal, causing seizures or episodes of unusual sensations, behavior, and sometimes, loss of awareness.

It is the fourth most common disorder of the brain and affects people of any age.

Epilepsy is NOT contagious.

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Weslee had a rough seizure day yesterday. Started early in the morning, and lasted until about midnight tonight when he asked me for his rescue nasal spray. 

If you have been reading here, you know he HATES that med!

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Please help with Weslee's medical expenses. Click here.  Thank you

Questions about Seizures

Another day of clusters of seizures. At least he was already at his 'safe space' when they happened.

Anyway...

Weslee just came up with a great idea. He thinks we should take people's questions and answer them. Maybe do a little interview. Anything about seizures, being caretakers, daily life, figuring out side effects or triggers, etc.

And we would answer to the best of our ability.

As a reminder... I emphatically state that I am NOT a medical professional / doctor, expert researcher, or backed by any epilepsy, seizure or neurological group. I am just a mom who was thrown into this world when my son crashed into the floor, convulsing and bonking his head while turning blue from lack of oxygen. That was in 2011.

Thus, our lives now revolved around 'all things seizure'. We began our search for triggers, struggle with an altered new life, med experiments, many brain surgeries and the TONS of research I did.

And me, wearing purple EVERY DAY since 2013 for epilepsy awareness. Not an exaggerated statement. 

Already being a dabbler in writing both fiction and non-fiction, the natural inclination was for me to record our situation, in the hopes that maybe we can help others. ( Epilepsy: One Mother's Perspective ). I also published journals to track seizures and other data, and a book about dealing with seizures in a school setting. (I am working on whole companion book series.)

Meanwhile, back to this question and answer thing... 

What do you think? Is there any interest at all?

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Please help with Weslee's medical expenses. Click here.  Thank you.