Hi, My name is Lisa. I have been asked by Epilepsy Action to do a blog which focuses on my epilepsy and in particular how this effects having children and family life.
I first started having tonic clonic seizures when I was 11. That's 20 years ago! It was hoped that it was something that I would grow out of. I was not that lucky and still have break through seizures now and again. Being epileptic has not stopped me from doing most things. I met my husband, Matthew, at college, in 1993. We married in 1995. Matthew has always been fabulous when my epilepsy rears its head. He looks after me until I am feeling better, comes to hospital/doctors appointments to help explain what has happened and is a wonderful support.
I have always worked, from leaving college, and on the whole have had very positive experiences from employers when I have told them about my epilepsy. I find that if you tell people (managers and those who work around you) what to do and who to call if you have a seizure at work then they have not treated me any differently and that I have managed to progress my career despite the epilepsy.
We have just had a baby girl, Rhiannon, on July 14th 2007. I take Keppra (Levicetram) and prior to having my baby I was taking Sodium Valproate (Epilim). My husband and I attended pre-pregnancy counselling with my neurologist we changed from the Epilim to Keppra as this has less known side effect in pregnancy. Epilim is thought to increase the risk of neural tube defects. After much stress I changed to Keppra. I used to be very tired on the Epilim but the Keppra does not have the same effect and I feel much more alive and alert. It has not stopped me having seizures though. I had three on the day I fell pregnant, then none throughout the pregnancy. I had a fit 6 weeks post birth and then three the Sunday after that.
My neurologist has increased my dose of Keppra and I am on a progesterone only contraceptive to try and level out my hormones. It is hoped that if we can even out the hormones then I won't have any seizures. Here's hoping anyway.
I am currently trying to speak to other people with epilepsy who have had to make adjustments to their life/style in order to accomodate a baby. Or if you have any suggestions other than the usual - don't bath the baby alone, try to avoid stairs, etc, then get in touch.
I first started having tonic clonic seizures when I was 11. That's 20 years ago! It was hoped that it was something that I would grow out of. I was not that lucky and still have break through seizures now and again. Being epileptic has not stopped me from doing most things. I met my husband, Matthew, at college, in 1993. We married in 1995. Matthew has always been fabulous when my epilepsy rears its head. He looks after me until I am feeling better, comes to hospital/doctors appointments to help explain what has happened and is a wonderful support.
I have always worked, from leaving college, and on the whole have had very positive experiences from employers when I have told them about my epilepsy. I find that if you tell people (managers and those who work around you) what to do and who to call if you have a seizure at work then they have not treated me any differently and that I have managed to progress my career despite the epilepsy.
We have just had a baby girl, Rhiannon, on July 14th 2007. I take Keppra (Levicetram) and prior to having my baby I was taking Sodium Valproate (Epilim). My husband and I attended pre-pregnancy counselling with my neurologist we changed from the Epilim to Keppra as this has less known side effect in pregnancy. Epilim is thought to increase the risk of neural tube defects. After much stress I changed to Keppra. I used to be very tired on the Epilim but the Keppra does not have the same effect and I feel much more alive and alert. It has not stopped me having seizures though. I had three on the day I fell pregnant, then none throughout the pregnancy. I had a fit 6 weeks post birth and then three the Sunday after that.
My neurologist has increased my dose of Keppra and I am on a progesterone only contraceptive to try and level out my hormones. It is hoped that if we can even out the hormones then I won't have any seizures. Here's hoping anyway.
I am currently trying to speak to other people with epilepsy who have had to make adjustments to their life/style in order to accomodate a baby. Or if you have any suggestions other than the usual - don't bath the baby alone, try to avoid stairs, etc, then get in touch.
