epilepsy

[2rose4u]

My 20 year old son has just been diagnosed with epilepsy. He was in the navy for about 2 months he was in basic training when he was diagnosed. So he was released do to medical. I was just wondering if anyone knew of a chat room where he can talk to people about this. Thanks

[justme23]

http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum/EpilepsyMenu.html

http://ehealthforum.com/health/forum29.html

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=6&threadid=19843

I hope these will work and I will keep your son in my prayers.

[2rose4u]

oh thank you justme23 those sites look great I should find some help there thanks :)

[jonette5]

My 26 yr old stepdaughter was diagnosed with this about 5 or 6 years ago. She was on medication at first but with a good diet and LOTS of exercise she has been able to controll it and is off the meds. Your son really needs to be on a very well balanced diet (not saying Mcdonalds is totally out...LOL) and go to the gym EVERY day. stepdaughter knows that she cannot let herself get too run down or too much stress cuz it will flair up. Also she cannot play video games as they will cause a seizure.

Good luck and hugs and prayers to you and your son!

[tsquared]

My step mother has epilepsy and has had since she fell off a bed when she was a child. It can be controlled and a normal life can be had. If he hsa questions and needs anything that i can help with please ask me....i would be more than happy to try and help....

[Tracy'sMom]

Sending prayers Your way. I hope You and Him together can get it under control and He can keep it that way.

[ntgsmommy]

Alot of times, there is no known reason for a person to have epilepsy. It just happens. My son is 11 and has had them all of his life, from grand mal to absence, to petit mal, right now he is only having a few "head drop" type ones....epilepsy is not a death sentence, it can be controlled with medication, and also there is a diet called the ketogenic diet that sometimes helps....not for my son but I have read stories of other families that it HAS helped...good luck to you! :) www.epilepsy.com

[twinkiesmom]

Yes, I agree. Epilepsy is not a death sentence. I had epilepsy for 22yrs. I was diagnosed at age 11. I took all the meds they had out, was controlled for a short time, but I was still having petit mals. At age 33, I had surgery to correct it. The only thing I couldn't do while I had epilepsy is drive. Otherwise, I could live a normal life. I belonged to some chat rooms for epilepsy on yahoo. They were very helpful. Here is one group that I belong to. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsychat/ You can post on the board there if u have questions, etc. Good luck. Kinda looks like their having problems w/their page at this time tho.

[2rose4u]

The only thing I couldn't do while I had epilepsy is drive

I know that having epilepsy is not a death sentence. The big problem is driving. In the state of Texas if you have a seizure you are not aloud to drive for 6 months. Also he doesn't want to take the chance and have a seizure will driving and hurt someone. So how is he to get a job :confused: My husband works at 4:00 in the morning so he can't take him,and I am disabled so there are days that it is hard for me just to get out of bed. So what can I do about him get a job :confused:

[ntgsmommy]

:confused: maybe the bus or a taxi? or even carpool when he does find a job? :p

[twinkiesmom]

I lived a mile from my job and for 8yrs I walked back and forth daily. Only took me 15min 1 way. I've gotten rides from ppl at work before, taken the bus, u do what u gotta do. But I was still able to work.

[2rose4u]

ntgsmommy maybe the bus or a taxi? or even carpool when he does find a job? We live out here in the country outside of the city limits we don't even get pizza delivery out here so that takes care of the bus. And on the taxi he would have to find a job first.

twinkiesmom I lived a mile from my job and for 8yrs I walked back and forth daily. Only took me 15min 1 way. I've gotten rides from ppl at work before, taken the bus, u do what u gotta do. But I was still able to work
The closest store is a gas station and that is 20 miles away

[twinkiesmom]

then maybe when he gets a job, he can get an apartment closeby? Only time will tell. Things do have a way of working out. Good luck.

[cathych]

I have had epilepsy since I was 14. Never been able to drive; I am 48 now. I am now on disablilty because I have short term memory loss due to repeated blows on the head. I was able to work from 1979 until about 7 years ago, & we always made it a point to live in town. Sometimes you gotta do what you have to do. Maybe you will have to move.