My sixteen year daughter faces a bleak future due to the affliction of epilepsy disease which had made it difficult for her to attend school normally. She strongly desires to go to school but appears to have difficultiy in organizing her self and her thoughts. I am seriously searching for a solution to her affliction in order to afford her the opportunity to study and be useful to herself and society. I feel really sad to be reminded always that epilepsy is noncurable - meaning that is sufferers are doomed to a life of eternal misery!
2006-11-07 21:25:18 · 5 answers · asked by Makau Dakum 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Have you ever heard of a Vagus Nerve Stimulator? I work with a child who has epilepsy and he has one and he has benefited from it. Basically it's a device that is implanted under the skin and is set by the doctor to stimulate the vagus nerve at a set interval. Then, if she were to have a seizure, you get the special magnet and swipe it over the device in her skin to activate it right at that moment. I'm not sure exactly why it works. Then, if the seizure doesn't stop after that, the kid I work with uses diastat. It's been pretty effective for the family.
2006-11-07 23:18:08 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am epileptic-diagnosed at 14 (26 years ago!) and life is not a misery,I can assure you. The real struggle is finding the right combination of medication to control her seizures. With some this can be done quickly,others have to go through trial and error. But once that's sorted,life is really very normal! Granted,you can't drive unless you go at least 1 year seizure free-but otherwise the life of an epileptic is not that restricted! I live a full life with 2 children,I travel,I'm in a wonderful relationship,fabulous friends,and enjoy going out.
Your view of epilepsy can negatively affect how your daughter feels-please try to be more positive,and she will be too.
2006-11-08 01:33:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is indeed a real agony to live in, especially for an innocent child who is confused and doesn't fully understand what's happening to her. First of all, it depends on the type of epilepsy she has, and the severness of her condition. For some people, medication works, for others, it doesn't. Your daughter will be facing a lot more difficulties in life, because this illness affects all the areas of functioning for an individual. Constant therapy, frequent doctor visits and even a special education system might prove themselves as difficult to cope with, but they might be the answer to pain relieve and less seizures. Make sure she isn't afraid of seeing doctors or therapists, as the relation between her and her therapist will affect her evolution deeply.
Being epileptic might bring feelings of isolation and loneliness. Make sure your daughter knows she is not alone, as she needs full support from her family and close people who understand her situation. Find out if, in your area, there are any support groups for people who go through the same thing your daughter does. People who go through the same experience, may understand and help each other better.
In school, her teachers and other students have to understand her situation and offer her full support. If she is being avoided by other kids her age, it will only make things worse for her.
Make sure that the places she lives in are safe for her health and protect her from injuries during seizures. I'm sure that the advices i gave you, you already thought and took care of. I'm sure you're a wonderful mother, and she feels that every day from the moment she wakes up.
It will be a challenge for her, as well as for you and your family to create a healthy and normal living environment, but doctors, close people and most of all, love, will help her adapt and enjoy life to full.
2006-11-07 21:55:45 · answer #3 · answered by LoreCore 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an Epileptic, and I lead a normal life, I had 3 children,I travel much, Epilepsy lives with ME not the other way round. there are various forms of epilepsy and it all depends which sort your daughter has. I was on one drug for over 20years but it affected my liver, had my medication changed and have not had any symptoms for 18months. Epilepsy can go so I have been told,
try and persuade your daughter to lead a normal life as possible,of course she won't be able to drive and swimming can be hazzardous as are disco lights and flash photography but there is so much life has to offer. I think positive and my life has changed for the better,I wish your daughter all the luck in the world, epilepsy is an illness but tell her not to be ashamed of it,
as for the "eternal misery" you speak of nonesense, I have a good life, go to concerts, meet the stars afterwards, fly to see my
children and grandchildren often also see my friends, I would not change my life for anything. good luck
2006-11-07 21:45:04 · answer #4 · answered by poetrygirl on line 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No answer just good luck. She could have had an accident and been in acoma for 3 months. Not all epileptics are doomed to a life of misery. Most can live quite a normal life.
2006-11-07 22:02:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋