Well, I started Depakote Wednesday night, had 3 doses on Thursday, and here it is Friday. I've lost 2 pounds. I have to wonder, though, is it because I've only dropped the 50 mg of Topamax at night, as I'm weaning off of it? So I'm basically on 2 anti-seizure meds at the same time. I'm also wondering if I was not having complex migraines, but parietal lobe seizures. That's the problem with just a little medical background....self diagnosis. I got a book from the library and it said that parietal lobe seizures are really hard to diagnose. My neurologist did say that seizures, migraines and TIA's are all very closely related and the brain is complicated. Sometimes the symptoms overlap. It's pretty much a guessing game. You get numbness and tingling with parietal lobe seizures. I have NEVER had those symptoms with migraines and I've always had pain and flashing lights with my migraines. Why would they change now?
When the started the diagnosis process, my neurosurgeon said he thought I was having complex migraines and was only going to do the 48 hour EEG to rule out seizures. Low and behold, they confirmed seizures. But, at least this way I get to drive. My question, that I have come across the answer to in my books yet, is do they evolve into worse seizures? Will they, if left not treated properly, evolve into absence seizures? Or will they become grand mal seizures? Oops, I mean tonic/clonic seizures. Sorry, I'm old, I forget there is a politically correct way to speak of epilepsy now. I should be calling it a seizure disorder.
I'm not insulted by the term epilepsy. My mother in law got so upset with me. "You don't have epilepsy, you have a seizure disorder." It took me so long to tell her it was the same thing. There became a stigma associated with epilepsy, so they renamed it. They claim it's because epilepsy is so multi-faceted, but I think it's because employers only see the grand mal type seizures. I know I don't have to tell them, but I feel I'm lying if I don't. There is the small chance I'll lose my driver's license if suddenly my seizures become uncontrollable and come back. An employer has the right to know that.
Like I said earlier, I'm holding down two mortgages. I reactivated my job search through Texas Job Search. I'm not having much luck. I've had about 4 hits. They've all been a long drive away. I have to consider my epilepsy. The first one would have been ideal for me, but it was a 38 minute drive...one way. One required memorization of names and dates. Yea, right. Had to let that one go, besides being a 45 minute drive, one way.
I've had no other side effects at this time with Depakote. I have noticed being a bit tired. But I've always taken a nap around noon, so is it more? I am more able to face my paper monster today, so maybe the depression is lifting a bit? I filed my paper drawer (which held 4 months of paperwork) but I haven't gotten to the receipts. I also mopped the kitchen floor. I plan to mop the bathroom, but we'll see. I need to get back on Fly Lady. We'll see about that, too.
Lori Ann Smith
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