Hi, I was diagnosed with epilepsy earlier this year. I have questions.

Hi,

I am a 20 year old female.

I have had about 4 seizures in total. Is that considered a lot?

I noticed that my seizures only occured when I was taking a nap or sleeping. Also, everytime I get one, there are red spots on my face, that fade and go away after a few days. Is the spots a normal after effect of epilepsy?

The first one occured in November of 2005. I didn't know what it was, so I didn't do anything about it. The second one was in February. I had my third one within 24 hours of having my second one. My sisters were able to see my convulsions, so they called the paramedics, and I was sent to the hospital. These two seizures were pretty serious. I think it was because of the immense stress I was undergoing at the time. I had just started dating this guy, and you know how most girls get really obsessive and insecure about whether a guy likes her in the beginning.

They found out I had some kind of a benign tumor in my brain.

I was put on Dilantin. I was advised to take 300 mg, but I only took 100 mg every day, because I worried about the side effects of facial hair growth.

The third one occured at the end of March.

I haven't had a seizure since.

Anyway, I am thinking of switching over to Tegretol.

I want you guys to tell me what your experiences with Dilantin and Tegretol have been like. Have you guys gained weight on Tegretol?

Also, have you guys had any seizures after you were diagnosed and started taking medications?

When is it possible to wean yourself off meds and be cured of epilepsy?

Furthermore, do seizures cause brain damage?

Post Edited (sparkations) : 5/16/2006 7:25:20 PM (GMT-6)

Sparkations..

I would like to tell you a bit about myself.. I am a 26 yr old female who has had about 6 seizures ever. I had my first when i was 18. They still dont want to say its epilepsy since it is now controlled but i say seizure disorder/epilepsy same thing. Anyways.. i have been on Tegretol since the first one. I have never had a problem with it and it has worked well to control my seizures. As for weight gain,, not sure..i know that i have gained weight but i have also had kids since i started on it too. I live what i consider to be a normal life. I am now happily married with my 3rd child on the way. I too have only ever had my seizures in my sleep,,, not sure why. I have never experienced spots but everybody reacts differently. As for how long to be on meds,,, ya never really know.. my neurologist says that if after a  5 yr period i am seizure free then he wants to take me off my meds. That 5 yrs is just about up but i am not sure about whether or not i want to take the risk of coming off of them. I have heard stories of those who have come off meds and never had another seizure but then i have also heard stories of those who go years without another seizure but then it comes back stronger and harder to control so its a big decision to think about and ever drs opinion is different. Anyways thats a bit of my story,, hope it helps

Boolie- How many pounds have you gained since on Tegretol? Also, what's your dosage?

Boolie-you didn't exercise or diet after you had the 2 babies, right? Usually, women would be around 10 lbs heavier than their usual weight before becoming pregnant after they had given birth.