Epilepsy???

Question

My Cousin who is also 17 has just been diagonsed with eplipsy. Everyone is devasted but I don't under all the facts about it, Such as - What causes it? What can happen? How Do You Get it? Please happen with as much information as you know please

Answer 1

Epilepsy is a fairly common disorder with myriad causes, including genetics, trauma, metabolic diseases, injury after infection and, of course, unknown causes.

I don't know what part of the country you're in, but most large medical centers will have a group to help care for patients with epilepsy. I've posted a link to one such group.

Answer 2

I've was born with epilepsy and have been on just about every medicine that there is to take for that. From petit mal
seizures where you will end up looking at whatever they seen for the the hour or maybe less to Grand Mal seizures where you cannot control any muscle in your body. I fell out of a tree during a seizure breaking my right arm in half. The only good part about that was because of the seizure I didn't feel a thing.
I remember climbing the tree but, didn't come around until I was in the hospital. Different things can cause a seizure from
being too happy, worrying too much, depression or just thinking too much. If a thought tries to go through the affected part of the brain and not being able to complete the process will cause a seizure. Sometimes there won't be anything you can do. I took medicine for years before having brain surgery.
I know sounds stupid but, I was at my wits end and I knew if
I was going to try to live a normal life It had to be done. I was
told it would not only stop the seizures, I also wouldn't have to
take anymore medicine. After the surgery the seizures did stop but, I had to keep taking the meds which wasn't anything to complain about because it actually stopped the seizures completely! I have been seizure free since 1994! With some people the medicine will work so if the medicine works for your cousin go that way. I would suggest either you or your cousin look up your family tree to seewhere it came from. I
can also tell you that my nephew was diagnosed with epilepsy
2 years ago and it made me feel so guilty I couldn't stand it!
I know there isn't anything I can do but part of me still feels guilty. I was told it came from my Great Grandmother on my Dad's side of the family.

Answer 3

My son has epilepsy and was not diagnosed until age 16 although we had suspected something was wrong several years prior.
It effects everyone differently so you have to assess your own case independently with your doctor.
There are petty malls, grand malls, and several other types of seizures. My son is able to control the seizures with medication but the medication has tremendous side effects such as the ability to function normally. The thought process is severely compromised by the drugs. He has trouble gaining weight, muscles that athletes would adorn, and other such effects.
It is caused by many different things, can be contained in some by drug therapy (such as my son), surgery, and other means. Some folks will have seizures no matter what treatment they under go and some need to wear helmets to protect their heads as the seizures can be very violent. What ever you do, NEVER and I repeat myself, Never put your hand or fingers in their mouth while seizing! If you do, expect traumatic consequences to what ever you stuck in their! Folks with epilepsy have bitten their tounges clean off!
It's a very serious medical problem and every patient needs to discuss his/her case independently with their treating neurologist!
I don't think medical science has determined it's origin other than they know some of the cases develop from genetics while others from trauma.
It does have the potential to kill a victim and does so in many instances where the patient is unaware they have it or for other causes also.
Hope this sheds some insight but the best information will come from the patients OWN doctor!

Answer 4

Hi there
I am a 56 yr old woman who does not have any record of Epilepsy in the family so don't feel that it is hereditary. 2 yrs ago (in my sleep) I had a mild seizure and then another 1 or 2 in the next week. I went to the doctor who wanted to check out all the possible reasons for my seizures...........did I have a temperature or virus? Did I have an adverse reaction to some medications I was taking? Did I have any kind of brain tumour that was causing this? Nothing was found and when you have more than 2 seizures and they can find no other reasons to cause the seizures then they call it Epilepsy. It's basically one of those neurological disorders that they haven't figured out in the medical profession yet. I lost my driver's license for one year (the period of time you must go without a seizure). Fortunately there are many drugs on the market that stop most of the seizures people have (and there are quite a variety of seizure types).
It is a disorder that can be controlled but not cured (at least not yet). I now have my license back, and am on drugs that I will likely take for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, Epilepsy is o;ne of those disorders that (for some reason) freaks people out and they don't like to talk about it..........it's really no biggie for me anymore:)

Answer 5

You are no different than anyone else. Even people who think they understand can't understand totally. The cause is different for every epileptic. They can range from genetics to a bad fall or a tumor. I have had mine since age 2 and still noone knows the cause. We also react differently during a seizure. There are different types. Sometimes a person will just stare off into space for a few seconds or mumble. Some epileptics will fall and go into convulsions for a minute or so. Most types of epilepsy are controllable with seizure medications. Don't worry too much,but a site that can help you both is www.epilepsyfoundation.org They will even be able to refer you to other sites if necessary. Keep your chin up.

Answer 6

Epilepsy affects everyone differently. SOme people can still drive others not. Some people get siezures occasionally, others several times a day. There are medicines that help to avoid having seizeures. It just depends. Usually the person can learn to feel when a seizure is coming on and get themselves to a safe space. There are many groups that can give you more information. I think the hardest part is some people don't want to go in public anymore because it is embarassing for them to have a seizure. The best is to show them that it is common and ok, educate the people around them so they won't be scared when it happens, and maybe find new hobbies. My friend was taking a pilots liscence but had to stop. He did continue with scuba diving though. The main danger is hurting yourself while falling so if those around recognize early warning signs they can support the person and help them sit down. Also after a seizure some people are a bit 'spacey'. Being patient, non- judgmental and supportive is the best you can be.

Answer 7

I have had epilepsy since i was 5. I was on medication that controlled it(most of the time). The biggest thing that you can do for him is be supportive, and don' t let him get pushed around. People (most) mis-understand what epilepsy is and they judge. DON"T LET THAT HAPPEN! It has happened to me and it was awful! Ask me anymore questions you have! I know just about everything about epilepsy

Answer 8

I've had eplipsy since I was three, they don't know what causes mine so they cant do surgery. While others know what causes there, when I get mine I usually have signs of a really bad head ache, nausua(sp?) and yes this is weird but my dog follows me around like everywhere he probably senses it. When I have it I dont know it till I wake up either in the hospital or the ambulance and I cant remember who I am or who anyone else is for a few minutes...its really scary and I hate it. I also get "seizure activity" which is like me talking in my sleep or like sleep walking. Is he on a med? I take depakote.

Answer 9

As far as I know it runs in families, but its cause is still poorly understood (other than that neurons go haywire firing nerve impulses). Sometimes it can be easily controlled with medications (which can have very definite side effects), but sometimes not - sometimes surgery works, sometimes not. In short, there aren't any easy answers. Wikipedia will be able to tell you a fair amount.

Answer 10

i hav epilepsy & it doesnt run in the family. u just get it & i dont exactly kno y but wat happens is like u hav a seizure & just 4 like 30 seconds or so ur heart & brain stops listening 2 wat ur trying 2 tell it 2 do & its kinda like ur goin crazy most of the time once u get older u stop having seizures.