my eeg in a a couple days, will an eeg be enough to diagnose me with epilepsy?
ive been put on gabopontin it he mean time is this s safe and effective drug does anyone know?
if I am confirmed with epilepsy , will I have to give up hopes of working again? I am already on disablity for depression and anxiety but always hoped to get better and try to work some day but I just not improving,in fact been getting worse by the day
does anyone else with epilepsy suffer from sever anxiety and depression as I have for so many years...
Written by
RcKitty
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Welcome to Epilepsy Actions Healthunlocked community.
It’s understandable you have many questions. So I hope the following will help you understand your situation better.
The main test for epilepsy are likely to include EEG tests and possibly an MRI scan. The results of these tests can sometimes give useful information, such as a possible cause of your epilepsy and the types of seizure you have.
An EEG test gives information about the electrical activity that is happening in your brain at the time the test is carried out.
With many types of epilepsy, you only have unusual electrical activity in your brain when you are having a seizure. The rest of the time your brain activity is normal. So, if your EEG test doesn’t show any unusual activity, it usually means that there is no epileptic activity in your brain at the time the test is being done. This doesn’t prove that you don’t have epileptic activity in your brain at other times. And it doesn’t mean that you don’t have epilepsy. epilepsy.org.uk/info/diagno...
Epilepsy is usually treated with epilepsy medicines. They don’t cure the epilepsy, but try and stop the seizures happening. They do this by changing the levels of chemicals in the brain that control electrical activity. Many people with newly-diagnosed epilepsy respond well to epilepsy medicine and have fewer seizures. It’s not possible to say how long this will take. But for many people, it happens quickly. For others, it takes longer.
Many people with epilepsy do work. If you haven’t already, you may wish to view the work section of our website. Most jobs are possible for people with epilepsy. It all depends on a number of things. For example, your seizure type, seizure frequency, and maybe the need of some reasonable adjustments in the workplace. If you are still having seizures it can be more difficult to find work. Also if it’s possible you may have one in working hours, this may affect the type of work you can do.
At your local jobcentre plus you should be given a work coach who can help you in your search for a job, or to gain new skills. They can also tell you about disability friendly employers in your area. A work coach can tell you about programmes and grants to help you back into work. When looking for work, look for the ‘positive about disabled people’ symbol (with two ticks) on adverts and application forms. The symbol shows that the employer is committed to employing disabled people. If a job advert displays the symbol, you will be guaranteed an interview, as long as you meet the essential conditions for the job
Depression and anxiety can be very difficult to live with. We have some information about epilepsy and wellbeing that includes depression and anxiety. I’m wondering whether you might find it useful? You can find it on our webpages, or you can look at it on our interactive E learning website.
If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact us again. We also have the Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. Our helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am until 5.30pm.
don't giver up RcKitty,it was probably partly making you low, as for epilepsy and work, well, Katie Hopkins has it, and hopefully she'll be running for post of mayor of London ! jj
I was treated based on the eeg, I’ve not been diagnosed as the dr wasn’t sure, but he decided to treat me anyway. This was based on one part of the test that was slightly different to what they expect for someone without epilepsy.
I’m now on keppra but not sure how they can tell if it’s working, I only ended up with an appointment due to quering what I thought was a faint whilst on a very painful period and having hot flushes at the same time. My previous faint was 5 years before again during a very painful period. The last time I saw this dr I’m sure he was going to increase the dose but on what grounds I have no idea but I kept asking awkward questions so he didn’t go any further with that, I think as well as he had another medical professional in the room and my partner. If he does try again I will insist on a second opinion as I’m in limbo at present. I was told don’t drive until after test, then don’t drive for 2 months, then at another appointment he said a year, considering how he said 2 months at the previous appointment, I don’t know if I’m coming or going. Last time he said don’t drive until I’ve seen you next time even though I’ve no idea when this is, he did back track and say 12 months from my faint, which has come and gone.
The only advice he gave me was don’t drive, don’t get stressed, don’t drink coffee and don’t drink alcohol. I never drove during periods as I’m was in too much pain, don’t get stressed, yeah right impossible given the situation, I rarely drink alcohol but do drink coffee, proper coffee 1-2 a week but instant cappuccino’s a few a day. I’m also of an age where periods stop and I had the coil put in and have estrogen patches for hot flushes so the painful period is very unlikely to ever happen again. My partner thinks I’m a guinea pig of some description but without a second opinion I won’t know.
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