Tag: Epilepsy

Blog · Dealing with epilepsy

Video-EEG, refractory epilepsy and more seizures than usual

Codrin PO

I haven’t written a post in quite a while here, but that’s because strange things have happened.

While before, I was having 3-4 seizures per year, 2017 started with a blast. I have 4 on January 9th, followed by seizures March -> one on March 4th and 5 more on March 26th. It was a game changer.

I was on Lamictal and Vimpat at the time and my neurologist, after my the 4th of March seizures decided to increase my dose of Vimpat (via phone and email). He considered that the balance between the two drugs was off. That really didn’t work as a couple of week later, I had 5 more seizures. Continue reading “Video-EEG, refractory epilepsy and more seizures than usual” →

Dealing with epilepsy

Some people are idiots, crazy, weird and more

Codrin PO

This last guest post is not really a post. It came from a conversation (on Facebook) I had two weeks ago with someone from Orlando, Florida. His name is Walter.

Walter said that he doesn’t have epilepsy and neither does anyone he knows, unless they are hiding it from him. For me, the last statement sounded weird, so I asked more details.

Walter said that people with epilepsy should be ashamed because they have it, because “they are scaring people on the streets, in cinemas, everywhere” (direct quote). Again, I asked for details. This is when I realized he’s a bigot. Walter said that “epileptics are directly responsible for their disease” because “they don’t believe in God and, if they believe, than it’s not the right God, for sure“. Continue reading “Some people are idiots, crazy, weird and more” →

Dealing with epilepsy

Short essay on humanity – epilepsy

Codrin PO

Humanity today is regressing. Our views of the world are more limited than ever.  Although new technologies to connect each other emerge every year and every day, our minds are more closed.

We live in a world that punishes those who are different. A person with epilepsy is brought under the microscope, but the lenses are never changed. Our views of those with epilepsy are blurred by opinions from the past.

We live in a world that punishes those who are different. A person with epilepsy often hides his/her condition from friends and colleagues in hope to not be treated differently. The “white-glove” treatment is like pity thrown in our eyes. Continue reading “Short essay on humanity – epilepsy” →

Dealing with epilepsy

[Guest post #4] Infertility and in-vitro

Codrin PO

This blog post comes from Switzerland, written by Martine. I love the diversity of people reading my blog and of those wanting to write. One more guest blog post available. Enjoy!

I am Swiss national, but I am born in France and have lived for many, many years in various countries around the world (work reasons). After getting married 11 years ago, my husband and I tried to have a baby. Many attempts later (3 years later) and a (more permanent) move to France, we decided to get tested for fertility.  Continue reading “[Guest post #4] Infertility and in-vitro” →

Dealing with epilepsy

[Guest post #3]: I am a drug trafficker

Codrin PO

The third guest post comes directly from Germany from Janis. Enjoy!

I was travelling from Bruxelles to New York for a short vacation in the US. As Germany is part of the Visa Waiver Program, I only applied for an ESTA online, without seeking additional info from the embassy.

That was my mistake, I admit it. I only checked a few website, the FDA’s in particular. I followed all instructions: getting a letter in English from the doctor etc.

Arriving in New York was “interesting”: after waiting for the bags, I was “kindly” asked by the Border patrol to come to their office for extra inquiries. This is when I started freaking out. Arriving there, I was submitted to a 2-hours long discussion regarding my meds. Read more for some really interesting stuff!