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Let me first start this by stating that even though I am by know means an authority on the subject, meaning a doctor, I have lived with this condition since I was 11 years old and I think that I have a slight advantage over them! Now, for some info and just to tell my story.
Epilepsy is a Neurological disorder. It is rather long to explain it, so I have made some links at the bottom of the page for more information. I will try to give a brief explanation! Ha! Imagine that your brain is sending these electrical impulses that control your movements and speech. It is happening as we speak! Now, what happens in my brain is that the regular impulses are interupted by this fantastic fireworks display! This causes messages that my brain is trying to send to be stopped or re-directed. Basically, my brain blows a fuse!! I was diagnosed when I was 11 yrs. old. I was at a piano lesson when I had my first Grand-Mal seizure.(They are the bad ones!)My piano teacher decided, after that, that she couldn't be my teacher anymore. I didn't understand discrimination then, but my mom sure did! She made sure that I would be able to do what-ever I set my mind to. I owe her so much for that! I knew of a couple of Epileptics that were sheltered in their houses for much of their lives because their loved ones were afraid,(or ashamed) to let them get hurt. I was allowed to do anything! I have about 75-100 Petite-Mal seizures a week. These are like little "blank-outs". They last just a second or two, but I am a little foggy when I come out of it, so add a couple more seconds. Most people do not know I am having these. Obviously, this is why I do not drive! As I have become older, they have increased, and much to my frustration I have had to leave my long time career as a Dental Assistant to avoid hurting anyone. A real bummer, since I am a people person and a giver! My Grand-Mal seizures happen once a month. They can either last one, to three or four minutes in duration. From what others have said, it is pretty scary to watch. It still shakes up my husband, bless his heart! Due to having these all of the time, it has brought up other problems. I am very tolerant to medication. I have also built up allergic reactions to all of the medications available. The one that I take now has the least affects, but still makes me queasy sometimes. Also, due to falling a lot, I have dislocated my shoulders numerous times and have had to have three shoulder operations. Another one due in July. I also have a great tolerance to pain as a result of this!!! HA,ha,ha....Unfortunatly, I am allergic to ALL pain medications!! It never use to be this way, just happened over the years. Now some good news! I have given birth to two absolutely lovely children with no complications AND nursed each of them for a year. They were never groggy from the medication in my breast milk because it was the same dosage they received in my uterus. In fact, Brianna has a little too much energy! I cannot speak for all women with Epilepsy regarding having children, but I personally wouldn't let any doctor tell me I shouldn't have children because of it. It can be done! Anything in life, that you want, can be done! Please visit these links for more information, because I haven't even scratched the surface! Thanks for the understanding ear and if you have anymore questions, I would love to answer them. God Bless and good day to you all! Update: May 24, 2002 I found some information here that I think is very important to all Epileptics. Reuters Health printed this. "Long-term therepy with Anti-epileptic drugs is associated with low bone mineral density, according to two different research teams. Both groups recommended monitering patients with epilepsy for bone loss." It goes on to say that they studied 71 adults and children with epilepsy over a six month period. At the end of the six months, 42 adults all had weaker bones than people their same age without epilepsy. 25 exhibited osteopenia--a condition just short of osteoporosis--at the spine or hip. The bone mineral density was also lower in children with epilepsy than those children without epilepsy. PLEASE!!! Tell your doctor this! Take supplements and have a bone density test to see where your bones are at, then check regularly. As epileptics, we fall so often during our seizures, that this bone loss could cause quite a problem. Email me and I will send you the whole article. This is very important news! If you are not epileptic, but know of someone who is, please pass this news along! Thank you so much for listening! 
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