Life over Epilepsy

27/09/2024

It’s not a sign of weakness for the people who have epilepsy. They are more stronger resilient and empathic. Don’t let it limit you. Many of the world famous people had epilepsy like Sir Isaac Newton, Napoleon, Joan of Arc, Charles Dickens, Socrates, Neil Young and many more. If they didn’t let epilepsy control their lives and why you? Epilepsy is not a mental disorder. Stay brave!

29/12/2022

Anabolic steroids are sometimes used by athletes and bodybuilders. Anyone who has epilepsy is advised not to take these as they may change the level of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in the blood and may make seizures more likely.
High energy drinks
High energy drinks and caffeine "shots", which are high in caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant so large amount of caffeine can also trigger seizure. And most of the gym supplements either it's preworkout drink or fat burners have large amount of caffeine and few more things like yohimbe and ephedrine which is completely unsafe for people who has epilepsy or history of seizures. So say no to all these fancy supplements and stick to a healthy and clean diet to be fit and fab

03/07/2022

Living with epilepsy can take a toll on our emotions and cause mood swings. Emotional ups and downs happen to everyone, but the stress that comes with epilepsy can make changes in moods more frequent or extreme. Anxiety or depression can exacerbate mood swings too.
We often see people with epilepsy with sudden mood swings and their behavior changes. It’s true that people with epilepsy are more prone to certain mood disorders. Listen with compassion to people living with epilepsy.

12/03/2022

Stress and anxiety are well-established triggers for seizures among people with epilepsy, and studies have shown that reducing stress may lower seizure risk for those with the condition.

While neurologists recommend that patients with epilepsy avoid stressful situations as a way of avoiding stress-induced seizures, it is not always possible to do so, highlighting the need for a therapeutic alternative. Regular Psychological counseling can help in reducing stress. Taking help is not a sign of weakness. It’s very important to manage the stress levels as stress can induce seizures.

14/02/2022

14/10/2021

Top 10 Epilepsy Statistics for 2021

A seizure can last up to 30 minutes or longer before risking permanent brain damage.
Up to 75% of people with active epilepsy don’t receive treatment.
About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy.
Every year, nearly 5 million people worldwide are diagnosed with epilepsy.
32% of people with epilepsy can’t work, as epilepsy statistics
56% of people with epilepsy experienced seizures despite taking seizure medicine.
70% of people with epilepsy could live seizure-free if diagnosed and treated properly.

06/09/2021

Exercise helps people to improve fitness, energy, and also relieves stress. If you have epilepsy, then the exercise helps to reduce the number of seizures and impact on people. As we know that stress is a common trigger for seizures exercise may help to prevent it.
Though being on anti epileptics it’s tough to get that motivation and push but believe me if I can everyone can. And exercise does makes a difference in reducing the number of seizures as we know well that anti epileptic medicines impact on a person’s mood. So when you workout brain releases happy chemical Dopamine. Workout in any way whether it’s a brisk walk, Yoga or Gym. But just keep yourself hydrated and keep an eye on the blood sugar and sodium as it should not drop.

04/08/2021

When seizure is about to come there is usually a signal which one gets. Below are few signs before getting seizure:-
Odd feelings, often indescribable
Unusual smells, tastes, or feelings
Unusual experiences – "out-of-body" sensations; feeling detached; body looks or feels different; situations or people look unexpectedly familiar or strange
Feeling spacey, fuzzy, or confused
Periods of forgetfulness or memory lapses
Daydreaming episodes
Jerking movements of an arm, leg, or body
Falling
Tingling, numbness, or feelings of electricity in part of the body
Headaches
Unexplained confusion, sleepiness, weakness

19/07/2021

19th July has always been the happiest day for me from last 7 years as this is the day when I got freedom from seizures. I got rid from Mesial Temporal Sclerosis. A form of retractable epilepsy which is not treatable with the medicines only. 90% of patients has to undergo lobectomy to reduce the number of seizures. Let’s see what is MTS ( mesial temporal sclerosis) in detail.

Mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) is a term used to describe scarring in the deep part of the temporal lobe of the brain. MTS is the most common cause of structural epilepsy and focal seizures in the temporal lobe. MTS affects the hippocampus which is the brain region that is involved in memory formation and retrieval, and the amygdala which is involved in emotional processing.

What Types Of Seizures May Be Seen With MTS?

Mesial temporal sclerosis is associated with focal seizures. These can present as tonic-clonic seizures or focal seizures with and without impaired awareness.
Seizures often begin with feeling of a rising sensation in the stomach and throat, feeling sick to ones stomach, fear or anxiety, pause in behavior (behavioral arrest), Déjà vu (feeling of familiarity of the situation as if it happened before), jamais vu (feeling of unfamiliarity) or rarely an abnormal and unpleasant taste or smell. These are symptoms that are typical in focal seizures without loss of awareness.
When the seizure evolves into a focal seizure with loss of awareness, motor features can present with abnormal twisting motions of the hand or with automatic movements like hand picking or fumbling, or mouth chewing and lip smacking.
Some seizures can evolve to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Because the seizures can involve language and memory areas, the seizures are often associated with inability to recall having had a seizure and with a transient inability to speak or inability to understand language during and shortly after the seizure.

11/07/2021

According to a study published in Epilepsy and Behavior, depression is the most common mental health problem to affect people with epilepsy. Researchers conducting this study estimate that 30 to 35 percent of people with epilepsy also experience depression.
Every person goes through depression once in their lifetime. I suffered through Major Depression episode + General Anxiety Disorder with epilepsy. It was really tough to cope up with these all together. Depression and Anxiety is pretty much common with epilepsy. Can say side effects of medication. But I suffered with Major depression after my epilepsy surgery. The episode lasted for good 2 years because of my surgery recovery also. I know it’s really tough. I tried to gave up too on life but believe the time you think there is nothing you should seek professional help. I took therapies plus medication for it. I did what doctor said not what people said to me. They told me think out of the box or it’s just a thought. But no depression is something beyond that. It kills you every single second. By the grace of God my doctor and therapist helped me to come out of it. I stopped medicine when doctor said not when I felt I should or when my family said you are perfect now. If you stop medication when your doctor says then the chances of relapse is very less. So I request everyone who is suffering from this demon please seek help it’s curable.

06/03/2021

I use to hear people saying to “Oh please be awake for few hours more that won’t cause you any seizure” Or “ how can the smell of a particular perfume can cause you a fit?”
There is no same trigger for a convulsion for epileptic people. So many different triggers like smell , sound , memory etc. We should recognize our triggers. And should forget What people will think on it. My trigger used to be was Smell of Tandoor , Sleep deprivation, stress and flickering lights. Despite being seizure free from 3 years I keep an eye on my triggers and try to manage all these to enjoy seizure free life!!