[Ellie]

Hey guys and gals!

I've been very busy the past few months and today (although on pain pills) I finally feel up to just taking a breather! It feels like everyone here is my family and I haven't seen you guys as much as I've wanted to. Soooo, I'd like everyone to post here if you're up to it and let me know how you have been doing. And for the parents posting about their children, or children about their parents, etc. You too! Let me/us know how everyone has been.

Me?

Well, I had to go through a very unexpected and unorganized move in February. I had to move a short distance from all of my 'ologists' and while it was short, it exceeded the length I can travel with my restricted driving privileges. I do have an excuse to use when she asks me to come in for a check-up. Hah! But, I miss my free samples. I went over my insurance limit so paying OOP on pills stinks.

I finally completed the testing phase with my cardiologist who determined there's nothing wrong with me that's severe enough to trigger seizures or any of the aura-like events. I do have MVP but it's actually mild and what's bizarre is while most of my AED's didn't work for seizures; I had zero heart palp's, murmurs, etc. while on them (didn't matter the brand).

I haven't had a GM seizure in a while and I'm pretty happy about that. I've had a few 'almosts' - I'm sure you guys know about those. You just have that aura that lingers for 2 hours. Bleh! I've had a few of the electrocution-like seizures and I'm doing much better coping with them compared to my first time reaction. I suspect that the past week I had a nocturnal or so, but given I had surgery and I'm very stressed I'm not going to worry much over it since there's a list of triggers I'm covering.

My dogs both had surgery again, too. I swear, I wish I could cash them in when they pass on. I think my Maltese has higher medical bills than I do. Both are in great health now, although I'm learning to crate my dog. It seems I thought she had seizures and she's having similar episodes due to separation anxiety (it means she loves me LOTS).

I had a Laparoscopy and Laparotomy last week for diagnostic purposes and to remove scar tissue. I'd been having a lot of stomach pain and some more endometriosis like symptoms when trying to have any intimate time with my partner. He found 'something' on my uterus but it's off for biopsy (no results). He said it's probably just a spot of fat or something. He said my pain is more likely than not coming from my intestines. Something like they should be flat and aren't - or the opposite. Sadly he told me this after my second shot of Demerol so I was giddy.

My mother is coming into town in 2 weeks and I'm taking her to Disneyland. I know I'm not supposed to, but I'm totally going to ride EVERYTHING!

I turn 30 on Saturday, so I've been kind of sad. Just one of those emotional things where I wanted to do more with my life than be on a perma-medical leave. I really wanted to go back to college or even do volunteer work, anything... Oh well.

I'm on Lamictal now (bye bye Keppra) - I've had some minor breakthroughs but just the hanging aura things. I noticed my mood swings dropped drastically. It's a two-for-one!


I think that covers everything. Now let me know about you!

*Hugs*

Ellie

[Tiger_lilly07]

Hey Ellie!!! Welcome Back!!! It's so nice to see ya back in here!!!! I see you've been a very busy busy bee. I'm glad your doing better and hopefully one of these aed's will help you...With me every aed that I've been on has always seemed to drastically change my mood and give me mood swings. I don't think epilepsy was supposed to be simple for us!! One thing works but you always seem to get something that isn't that great. I just turned 27, and I hope I'll be able to get out there and do any kind of work. Or at least be able to afford to live on my own. It just sucks.
Well things have been going o.k. with me. I started to see a Cognotive Therapist who I think will be able to help me with my negative thinking and low self esteem problems. I did have a seizure a couple of days ago but nothing to worry about. My doctor still hasn't gotten back to me about a fourth surgery....I guess it's because he's waiting to see if this headache doctor can find anything else out before I have to make the next step again. Other than that, I'm just taking things one day at a time. Sure did miss you!! *Hugs*

[southie]

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!


Welcome Back Kotter ..... Oh Wait! That was a TV Show!


Nice to see you graduated from the "School of Ologies".

You need to see Che about obtaining a Certificate of
Completion from the Ologies.
No fun in there, but I hear ya about the Kep-RAGE, or is
that Keppra? I forget! I was glad to be off of that too!

So sorry to hear about your pets! But glad to hear they're
back in great health!

(((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))))))))

We missed you!


As for me - Level 4 went pretty good, especially when
my Epi's a former Professor (no Mary Ann or Ginger or
Gilligan involved) and he's impressive, and knew what the
whole problem was right to the core ~ insomuch spared
me of having to go through the whole hoopla all over
again... Already fed the vampire bats enough blood to
last them a month or so, had the PET Scan done yesterday
(long story), and will have the MRI WOW as scheduled and
EEG as scheduled - all just updates. Will see the Epi as
scheduled. Epi already confirmed I had Epilepsy.

But I'm still experiencing some CP's ....

I HATE E!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darlene]

It is great to see you have come back, we have all missed seeing you around.

I am doing about the same, there has been a couple of days that I have had more than one seizure, they were mild. Other than that I am just blowing and going. Most of the time stress or unable to sleep I end up with having some. Hardly ever I have more than one in a day.

Great to hear you haven't had any GM lately (knock on wood).

Hope you dogs are recovering o.k.


Happy Birthday, it must be fun to be so young. As my daughter told me when she hit 30 she was going to start counting backwards. My hubby just had his BD, so from now till September I am married to an old man.

So go to college, I did after my kids had started to school and I had free time. It took me 3 years to get a degree in Accounting and I am very proud I did it. You can do it.

My Doctor is trying to get me down to Lamital only (I am Keppra as you were it would be nice to drop it.)

Well it is getting to be bed time for me, I am more of a night person, but we need to get our sleep. As I said it is great to see you back.

Darlene