Depressed with seizures

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there

Dammy-  Welcome to HW

So sorry for the stuff you are going thru.  It's bad enough you have to go thru the fact that you have to deal with seizures, let alone the depression.  Are you seeing a doctor for the depression?  If not, you should talk to your neuro or family doc about seeing someone.  Or at least, seek counseling.  Don't let things get out of hand. It's one thing to feel a little blue, but when you feel out of control, do you mean you feel like you might harm yourself? If so, then you need to go to an emergency room where someone who is trained in mental health can help you right away.  Then you can get some help immediately. 

Yes, there is a know link to depression and antiseizure meds.  And for that matter, probably, epilepsy itself, due to the disabilty it produces in the form of isolation and inability to do many things.  How are you handling the depression? 

There are many people here that can support you.  Many can identify with your problems.  Come here anytime.              (((((HUGS)))))   Glenda

Dammy - Just Remember-

We all travel the yellow brick road.  Someday I hope you get back to Kansas!!

p.s. (that's why my name is goodwitch!)

Jennifer -

I passed the breathalizer with a 0.00%. Was not drinking but have no balance AT ALL and can't pass the field sobriery test. If I tell the authorities that I had a seizure then they will take my license forever and I don't know if I can take that. My body gives me about 15 minutes notice before I have a seizure so I actually feel pretty safe driving.

Thanks for your help. I just need friends. It sucks being stuck in a town that you don't know where there are people that you don't know.

Thank you all for your support (now I sound like the Bartles and James people)

dammy

Here is my experience with losing my license, I hope this can shed a little light on your situation:

I'm from Ontario, Canada, Our transportation laws may differ from yours.

I've had EP since 1979 controlled by medication so reported at that time to the "Ministry of Transportation" that I was controlled by medication, no questions asked and I didn't lose my licence.

I must have slipped through the system because in ALL cases you must go seizure free for 2 years even if controlled by meds.

I drove without a problem until Dec/02 during an incident in a parking lot(I just came off the highway). It can hit at any time without warning.

Now my blood levels are being checked each week but the Ministry of Transport has tightened up the rules in this area in an attempt to reduce traffic accidents so that is making it more difficult to get it back. But if I do get it back (which I don't think) I still won't drive and risk the lives of others. I think that is the more responsible way to handle it and set an example for others.

It's just like driving drunk-you're taking a major risk.

At first I felt that some of my freedom was taken away but I've gone more than 2 years without it and I'm starting to accept it a little easier.

Randy

Hi Dammy-

I can identify with the isolation situation.  I was working before my seizures became uncontrolled and had to quit working as a result.  Being at home isn't what it's cracked up to be.   I moved to a town where I didn't have any friends.  Luckily, my sister lives just a few blocks from me.  If it wasn't for her, I would go crazy from loneliness.  I haven't driven in 3 years, but I am hopeful that one day I will get my license back again. 

3 years ago, when I felt like I was living my darkest days, the only thing that kept me going was knowing that I had made it thru worse things before.  I wasn't about to throw in the towel yet.  I had two beautiful children.  I kept thinking about them. 

I have a left temporal lobe resection scheduled for June 20th and I don't know if I feel any less stress or depression from 3 years ago, but I do know that more people support me than I thought.   (Or maybe I feel less sorry for myself).  Anyway, that's why I come here.  The more support, the better.   Thank goodness for the internet.  Come vent anytime, Dammy.  (((HUGS))) Glenda    

Dammy, there are many who can feel when they are going to have one.....you are not weird.......

Dammy
I know this is just a few days late but better late than never right? I empathise with you new town, no friends, no wheels please dont let the depression get the best of you, I caught your post just out of luck anyway what I would like to tell you is that you have a lot to give please understand that I have been there, I am still there so your not alone if thats any consolation. Go do something! Go do something that is cool for you right now! you have to or you will go nuts. Oh yeah and trust me on this it gets better (if you allow it to; do not allow epilepsy to control your life).

Hi Dammy,

It's good that you haven't had a seizure in a while; bummer to have bad balance.  Just have to watch out not to put yourself in a position where you can do serious damage to yourself in case you go down (like on a ladder or sitting in a tree).    Hope your visit at home is comforting and you do ok.  (I always like to go home to a familiar place).

I think most people with epilepsy will agree that stress contributes to an increase in seizures.  I WISH that stress was the only thing that caused MY seizures - how sweet that would be.  But since I know reducing stress helps, it's a good thing to work on.  I think stress-related/depression meds are pretty common with epilepsy.  What do you do   to help your stress level?  What makes you feel happy /content?    

Often, I don't know I feel blue because it kind of creeps up on me.  For example:  If I've been stuck inside the house and feel depressed/stress and then I go outside to get the paper, I suddenly notice the sun shining and then I realize, WOW - what am I doing inside the house!! So it snaps me out of it. ... So, stress is sort of relative too.  Try to find things to do that make you productive and happy.  It's not easy at first.  But you will be glad you did.

(((HUGS)))   Glenda