November is National Epilepsy Month.

I am not faking it.

I would love to say I am. 

I am BETH, and I HAVE EPILEPSY.   I am sorry if this bothers you.  If this makes YOU uncomfortable.  But, this is MY reality.  GET OVER IT.

I had my first witnessed grand mal seizure in January 2008 at my plastic surgeon's office, during my pre-plastics consult.  I was having seizures prior to that date -- but did not understand my symptoms that occur just before a seizure and after -- called auras. 

I am only understanding it NOW -- and I realize that I have had seizure activity since at LEAST 2005-2006 when I hit my lowest weight post gastric bypass surgery.  And, YES I think it has something to do with the massive weight loss > brain twitch.  I may never know why -- but here I am! 

It's been suggested that this is my problem -- the treatment is surgery -- I said no, so far.

Disease characteristics. Polymicrogyria is characterized by stable neurologic deficits, i.e., a "static encephalopathy." The mildest form, unilateral focal polymicrogyria, may have minimal neurologic manifestations. In more severe forms, focal, motor, sensory, visual, or cognitive problems may be present, depending on the brain region.

In the most widespread form, bilateral generalized polymicrogyria, severe intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and refractory epilepsy may be present.

At the current stage -- I seem to have a seizure DAY that I am AWARE OF every 1.5-2 weeks, with 2-3 events in one day.  It seems to follow my hormone pattern.  I have complex partial events, and I may be having smaller events that I cannot decipher.

JUST GET OVER IT.  It's not your problem.

1 in 100.

30 Days 30 Ways -- November 1 --

• Take the Get Seizure Smart quiz at www.GetSeizureSmart.org.

• National Epilepsy Awareness Month

• www.epilepsyfoundation.org

Ure NOT the first person to have mentioned post WLS epilepsy here . Im VERY curious ....

Also MM i ASSUME I dont let Ur blood sugar get way low anymore as a possible trigger am i right ?

Nope.

So by diagnosing you with epilepsy, as opposed to another seizure disorder, are the docs saying that they don't believe your seizures are related to WLS? My friend is an epilepsy researcher and I'm under the impression that epilepsy is only diagnosed when there is no known cause of the seizures.

It's interesting that the latest research is finding a connection between siezures and migraines, do you also get migraines? My neurologist want to try me on anti-seizure medication for my migraines if I can wean off nortriptyline post-op (the nortriptyline tends to cause weight gain, whereas the anti-seizure meds don't).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1329/

Disease characteristics. Polymicrogyria is characterized by stable neurologic deficits, i.e., a "static encephalopathy." The mildest form, unilateral focal polymicrogyria, may have minimal neurologic manifestations. In more severe forms, focal, motor, sensory, visual, or cognitive problems may be present, depending on the brain region affected In the most widespread form, bilateral generalized polymicrogyria, severe intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, and refractory epilepsy may be present.

I was diagnosed with this as well in 2008 -- though -- we don't know why/if this is the cause of my brain fails NOW ... why it took so long to materialize.  The cure is surgery.  I said no.  I'm scared.

I am getting more headaches now -- than before -- yes.  I don't get the KILL ME migraines that many suffer -- I get post seizure headaches and stress/tension pain.

Thanks for the info and the links.  Some people say, "knowledge is power" but, I disagree... to me knowledge of the TRUTH is the only way to obtain real power.  There is a lot of word of mouth "knowledge" about ailments like epilepsy.  But, knowing where to get the truth is very valuable.

None of us knows when we might have to face something like this... thanks for putting it out here where we can know the truth!

I'm confused about why you would think people have a problem with it, or think you might be faking it. Have you been accused of faking it? Have you encountered a lot of negativity about having epilepsy/seizures?

You're GET OVER IT statement seems angry and defensive, but perhaps I'm reading it wrong.

At any rate, I'm sorry you have epilepsy/seizures and I hope you get them under control and find the cause at some point.

I wish you all the best, and your family as well.

It is defensive.

THAT part is on my blog.  I didn't post it here.

I'm sorry if you were bothered by it.

Hi Beth,

Well, that sucks.

For years since I had the original WLS in 85', I've heard scattered reports of people having seizures after WLS. They hadn't had any seizures before. I'd jump on PubMed and search the hell out of that puppy...

BTW, U.S.C. has a world renowned epilepsy program. Maybe you can link up with an epilepsy expert and a WLS researcher who will agree to consult each other.