For International Epilepsy Day 2024, we were sent this piece by Lauren which strikes a hopeful message to anyone living with the condition….
15 years ago almost to the day I was diagnosed with right temporal lobe epilepsy. I started by having focal seizures which then progressed to tonic clonic seizures and became very frequent.
It was very hard being a teenager and learning to adjust to this new illness, I couldn't be left alone as I was having so many seizures every single day. I felt very different and sheltered, I couldn’t even work like most people my age were doing.
A couple of years went by and I had been on lots of different medications none of which helped long-term. It was then discovered that I had a scar on my brain, and this was where the seizures were coming from which led to the doctors suggesting brain surgery.
I had my first surgery in 2015 and I was so hopeful it would help which it did for 7 months but unfortunately the seizures came back. 18 months later I was back on the operating table for a second operation, this definitely made a difference as it got my tonic-clonic seizures somewhat under control for a while.
Up until last year I was continuously changing my medication hoping that eventually we would find the right combination for me after two brain surgeries and many, many different medications. I had pretty much given up on the idea that I would ever be seizure-free which I had learned to live with and accepted.
Low and behold I was put on a new medication last year and I have never been happier to be able to say I am 1 year free of seizures!
I wanted to share this with people living with epilepsy for #EpilepsyDay to spread some positivity and hope. Here I am 15 years after my diagnosis and for the first time ever my seizures are fully controlled. I hope this helps anyone with epilepsy who feels like they'll never live a normal life or go long periods of time without seizures, because I am living proof that there is no timeline, and it can in fact change when you least expect it.
Never say never and don't ever give up hope!
Thank you Lauren for sharing!
If you or your loved one need any information or support about epilepsy, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Community Resource Officer. Visit the ‘Our Local Service’ page on our website to find details of your local Community Resource Officer.