I'm new to this website

[BoytjieD]

How come so many people are scared to be around you, or communicate with you face 2 face, if they know you are epileptic? I have lost many friends as if they are afraid they may become epileptic if the are near me - any environment.

[EpilepsySA Partner]

Welcome!

This is one of the many misconceptions about epilepsy. Remember that epilepsy is a neurological condition that is NEVER contagious.

We invite you to contact the Epilepsy SA Branch closest to you by calling 0860EPILEPSY (our toll free number).

[BoytjieD in reply to EpilepsySA]

Thanx African, I am DEFINITELY get in contact with Epilepsy South Africa, to find the closest offices to me.

[Josebrown]

I know the feeling

[EpilepsySA Partner in reply to Josebrown]

We suggest you call the closest Epilepsy SA Branch to you by dialing 0860EPILEPSY or emailing [e-mail]. Please remember to let us know where you live.

[NanaMay]

Oh no, that is so immature. They need to be more informed. However, maybe it is for the better that you lose them if they are not genuinely caring people.

[Tdevilliers]

Hi there

I know what you mean - it is not easy at all. A lot of people are either ignorant or simply are afraid of what they need to do in the event you have a seizure, when alone with them.

Epilepsy is no a disease so nobody can contract it from you so education is important. The friends that really care, are the friends that will stand by you and remain your friends. Rather have a few really good friends than a whole lot of so called friends, who say they are, and then shy away and look from a distance.

Counselling is always a good idea, but now you must do things to try and improve and manage your condition - don't allow your condition to manage you.

You must learn to change your perceptions on the way you think about this condition - do the things you really desires to do, such as sports, going out with friends, etc. In other words, don't stay back and think about the things you would like to do but hold yourself back as your mind says "don't in case you have a seizure". Take control and manage how you do things like be consistent in taking medicines - a great idea to help yourself is to keep a diary and each time you have a seizure, think about what transpired 24 to 48 hours prior to having the seizure - did you do anything different, late nights, drink or eat anything different, etc. stress and subconscious stress can be stimulants apart from other things we eat and drink. loads of Sugar, fizzy drinks, too much coffee, etc. Not sure if you drink alcohol, but it too hydrates a person apart from intoxicating them. Keep hydrated so drink lots of water (1.5 litres) each day - many don't think about that - there are a lot of foods we eat or drink that dehydrate us - too much salty foods, being one. If you don't like drinking water on its own add a slice of lemon, cucumber, mint or whatever else to add a slight flavour - coffee and tea don't count - the caffeine may be one of your stimulants. You will feel a lot better on it.

Try to understand your condition and what triggers your seizures. I know what triggers mine and just manage it to remain below a threshold and it works well for me.

Do some research on the internet and try to establish what works for you.

You must make things happen as they will not happen on their own. I went through low self esteem, discrimination, etc and was at a low point in my life, but I turned my life around by becoming involved and setting up a support group for people with epilepsy - 1% of the Worlds Population has epilepsy and that percentage is higher in SA. For every 100 people you see, at least one other will have epilepsy. When you start communicating with others, who share the same issues, whether it be on Facebook groups, internet or face to face, you start feeling you are not alone out there. I ran a support group for 26 years and by helping others and doing what I wanted to do in life, such as cycling, swimming, etc. I realized, I could enjoy my life better. Lifting that load starts breaking subconscious barriers around you, which create subconscious stress. in doing this, you may reach a point, where seizure frequencies may become less.

Give it a try - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Regards Tim

[BoytjieD in reply to Tdevilliers]

I have been watching my diet - what I eat and drink - and it has kept me seizure free for a long time now. This includes exercise, basically just walking around the security complex I live in with both my retired parents, as well as my 2 "sons" (Jack Russells) of which the daddy of the younger one also suffers with epilepsy. The best part is that the 2 don't allow anybody near me if I suffered a seizure - not even my parents.

[wolf1987]

thanks so much for the advise