Why Did God Choose Me To Have Seizures?
Seizures
I have chosen the topic Seizures for my essay because I believe people need to understand this condition and find a cure! I started having seizures February 4th, 2010 and it forever changed my life. I have always lived and breathed baseball. When my seizures started, they came out of nowhere. It was scary, frustrating and I couldn’t understand why it had to happen to me. I spent several days in the hospital and they diagnosed me with Cortical Dysplasia which is basically a neurological disorder. They started me on Epileptic medication right away to control the brain activity. I was in the hospital from Thursday to Saturday. It was the worst time of my life. I was depressed and thought my life would never be the same and I …show more content…
questioned myself if I would still be able to play baseball all the time. After that had happened, I was back on the baseball field in three days.
Now that I was on medication, my balance was off and things that came so naturally to me before did not come so natural anymore. I basically had to re-train my body how to play baseball. What came so naturally prior to my seizures, no longer did. This was life changing and I felt as though I would never be able to play at the level I was used to. It made me sad, frustrated and depressed. I had asked my mom, “Why did God choose me to have seizures?” My mom said “God has given you this challenge because he knows that you are strong, you will overcome this and you are going to help change lives for other people battling epilepsy and show them that life does not have to stop”. At that time, I had two choices. I could give up and allow Epilepsy to take over or I could make the decision to not let Epilepsy win and fight it until the end. I was not going to allow this to defeat me or change my dreams of being a baseball player. It took me about six months to feel “Normal” again on the baseball field. It was not easy, it was a rollercoaster ride! I had good days and bad however, I had to appreciate the good days rather than dwell on the bad. I had to remain positive and determined …show more content…
in order to get me through this. I have to work twice as hard as I used to and not allow negativity to set in. This is why I chose the seizure topic and hopefully educate society in addition to finding a cure for all of these Superwomen and Supermen!
In today’s society, people lack education on seizures and epilepsy. There are many misconstrued beliefs that are not accurate. People do not even understand what Epilepsy is. Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological) in which “the nerve cell activity in your brain is disrupted, causing a seizure during which you experience abnormal behavior, symptoms and sensations, and in some cases- losing consciousness” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1). Seizure symptoms vary and in some cases you would not even be aware that someone was having a seizure. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Due to the lack of knowledge and education within our society, Epilepsy is more prevalent then people are aware of. “About 1 in 100 people in the United States may suffer from an unprovoked seizure one time in their life” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1). A solitary seizure does not mean you have epilepsy. In order for a patient to be diagnosed with epilepsy they usually experience at least two unprovoked seizures that will require an epilepsy diagnosis. Regardless of how minor the epilepsy seizure may appear, they still require treatment because they can be dangerous during activities such as driving or swimming. Treatment typically requires medication or sometimes surgery depending on the situation; which eliminates or reduces the frequency and intensity of the seizures. In some cases, “people do outgrow their seizures as they increase in age and their body is not going through dramatic hormonal changes” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1).
Epilepsy can start at any age and it is often diagnosed in people under 20 and people over 60 years old. This is because some causes are more common in young people and in older people. For some people, their epilepsy may go away and they stop having seizures. This is called spontaneous remission. Epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose and there are a number of different tests that may be done to help with the diagnosis such as an EEG or MRI. Epilepsy is usually treated with medication called anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s). AED’s aim is to stop seizures from happening, but unfortunately not to cure Epilepsy. “With the right AED’s, up to 70% of people with epilepsy could have their seizures controlled or stopped. The first AED utilized to treat epilepsy was phenobarbitone in 1912” (Epilepsy society, 1). There are now over 20 different AED’s available. For people who do not have their seizures under control with the use of AED’s, surgery or other devices may be installed to help reduce or stop the seizures. Surgery is always a last resort as it is a very aggressive surgery where parts of the brain are removed and can result in severe memory loss. “Another option is a form of treatment called Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy to help control their epilepsy.” (Epilepsy society, 1). This entails having a special device implanted that sends regular electrical signals to their brain.
Not all seizures are due to epilepsy.
Seizures can happen for many different reasons such as diabetes or a heart condition. “There are over 40 different types of seizures below are 6 categories that are Grand Mal or Generalized tonic-colonic which is unconsciousness, convulsions and muscle rigidity” (Epilepsy society, 1). A second type is absence which is brief loss of consciousness. A third type is myoclonic which is sporadic, isolated, jerking movements. A fourth type is colonic which is repetitive, jerking movements. A fifth type is tonic which is muscle stiffness and rigidity. The sixth type is atonic which a loss of muscle tone is. “Epilepsy does not have any definitive answers or a simple reference guide to refer to in an attempt to diagnose which type you have.”(Web Md, 1). It is a process since there are over 40 different types an individual can experience. It is important to start a medical journal to record any and all information about your seizures. When you are tracking your activity the goal is to figure out what the trigger may be. Items that you should try to remember when keeping notes in your medical journal for reference are the following: Was there a trigger that set off the seizure example did you feel tired, hungry or unwell? Did you have any warnings that the seizure was going to happen? Did your mod change for example were you excited, anxious or quiet? Did you notice any unusual sensations such as an odd smell or taste or a pit feeling
in your stomach? Where were you? What were you doing before the seizure? Did you appear to be blank or stare into space? Did you lose consciousness or become confused? Did you do anything unusual such as mumble, wander aimlessly or fiddle with your clothing? Did your color change (pale or flushed) and if so lips? Did your breathing change? Did any part of your body move, jerk or twitch? Did you fall down or go stiff or floppy? Did you wet yourself? Did you bit your tongue or cheek? If someone witnessed the episode, get their feedback as to what they saw. All of the aforementioned are key factors in tracking your seizures. They are all valid questions and can help in assisting in figuring out what types of seizures you are experiencing in addition to finding certain triggers. By utilizing a medical journal and documenting your episodes is very useful in finding the triggers. Popular triggers for epilepsy are: stress, sleep deprivation, diet, hormonal changes, environmental changes, flashing lights, etc. Not all epilepsy is the same and each usually as a different trigger. “Identifying what the individuals trigger is can assist in changing what is within your control to help improve the situation.”(Web Md, 2).
Educational, social, and psychological treatment are all part of the total treatment plan for epilepsy. The most important step you can take is to find help as soon as you are feeling defeated or that you are not able to cope with the situation. “Epilepsy is best managed by a team of doctors that can provide medical, psycho-social and educational support.” (Web Md, 2). If you are having problems at work, school, relationships, daily activities it is important for you to discuss it with a member of the epilepsy team. The epilepsy teams, foundations, local organizations, and family are all resources to utilize to communicate how you are feeling. Earlier stress was discussed as a trigger and the worst thing you can do is contain all of those feelings inside, not communication your frustrations. This is not healthy and communication/reaching out are imperative to ensure you receive the support and guidance you need.
Taking action early will enable you to understand and deal with the many effects of epilepsy. Learning to manage stress is the biggest component to help you in maintaining a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual outlook on life. Don’t allow epilepsy to have you! Dig deep to find the determination to defeat epilepsy! Everyone must remember that epilepsy will not stop you for being successful or achieving your goals! Only you can allow epilepsy to stop you! Be the winner! Come out on top! Even when you are having your hard days and tired of having episodes, do not allow it to defeat you or knock you down. Get back up and continue the fight!
I have chosen the topic Seizures for my essay because I believe people need to understand this condition and find a cure! I started having seizures February 4th, 2010 and it forever changed my life. I have always lived and breathed baseball. When my seizures started, they came out of nowhere. It was scary, frustrating and I couldn’t understand why it had to happen to me. I spent several days in the hospital and they diagnosed me with Cortical Dysplasia which is basically a neurological disorder. They started me on Epileptic medication right away to control the brain activity. I was in the hospital from Thursday to Saturday. It was the worst time of my life. I was depressed and thought my life would never be the same and I …show more content…
questioned myself if I would still be able to play baseball all the time. After that had happened, I was back on the baseball field in three days.
Now that I was on medication, my balance was off and things that came so naturally to me before did not come so natural anymore. I basically had to re-train my body how to play baseball. What came so naturally prior to my seizures, no longer did. This was life changing and I felt as though I would never be able to play at the level I was used to. It made me sad, frustrated and depressed. I had asked my mom, “Why did God choose me to have seizures?” My mom said “God has given you this challenge because he knows that you are strong, you will overcome this and you are going to help change lives for other people battling epilepsy and show them that life does not have to stop”. At that time, I had two choices. I could give up and allow Epilepsy to take over or I could make the decision to not let Epilepsy win and fight it until the end. I was not going to allow this to defeat me or change my dreams of being a baseball player. It took me about six months to feel “Normal” again on the baseball field. It was not easy, it was a rollercoaster ride! I had good days and bad however, I had to appreciate the good days rather than dwell on the bad. I had to remain positive and determined …show more content…
in order to get me through this. I have to work twice as hard as I used to and not allow negativity to set in. This is why I chose the seizure topic and hopefully educate society in addition to finding a cure for all of these Superwomen and Supermen!
In today’s society, people lack education on seizures and epilepsy. There are many misconstrued beliefs that are not accurate. People do not even understand what Epilepsy is. Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological) in which “the nerve cell activity in your brain is disrupted, causing a seizure during which you experience abnormal behavior, symptoms and sensations, and in some cases- losing consciousness” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1). Seizure symptoms vary and in some cases you would not even be aware that someone was having a seizure. Some people with epilepsy simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure while others repeatedly twitch their arms or legs. Due to the lack of knowledge and education within our society, Epilepsy is more prevalent then people are aware of. “About 1 in 100 people in the United States may suffer from an unprovoked seizure one time in their life” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1). A solitary seizure does not mean you have epilepsy. In order for a patient to be diagnosed with epilepsy they usually experience at least two unprovoked seizures that will require an epilepsy diagnosis. Regardless of how minor the epilepsy seizure may appear, they still require treatment because they can be dangerous during activities such as driving or swimming. Treatment typically requires medication or sometimes surgery depending on the situation; which eliminates or reduces the frequency and intensity of the seizures. In some cases, “people do outgrow their seizures as they increase in age and their body is not going through dramatic hormonal changes” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 1).
Epilepsy can start at any age and it is often diagnosed in people under 20 and people over 60 years old. This is because some causes are more common in young people and in older people. For some people, their epilepsy may go away and they stop having seizures. This is called spontaneous remission. Epilepsy can be difficult to diagnose and there are a number of different tests that may be done to help with the diagnosis such as an EEG or MRI. Epilepsy is usually treated with medication called anti-epileptic drugs (AED’s). AED’s aim is to stop seizures from happening, but unfortunately not to cure Epilepsy. “With the right AED’s, up to 70% of people with epilepsy could have their seizures controlled or stopped. The first AED utilized to treat epilepsy was phenobarbitone in 1912” (Epilepsy society, 1). There are now over 20 different AED’s available. For people who do not have their seizures under control with the use of AED’s, surgery or other devices may be installed to help reduce or stop the seizures. Surgery is always a last resort as it is a very aggressive surgery where parts of the brain are removed and can result in severe memory loss. “Another option is a form of treatment called Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) therapy to help control their epilepsy.” (Epilepsy society, 1). This entails having a special device implanted that sends regular electrical signals to their brain.
Not all seizures are due to epilepsy.
Seizures can happen for many different reasons such as diabetes or a heart condition. “There are over 40 different types of seizures below are 6 categories that are Grand Mal or Generalized tonic-colonic which is unconsciousness, convulsions and muscle rigidity” (Epilepsy society, 1). A second type is absence which is brief loss of consciousness. A third type is myoclonic which is sporadic, isolated, jerking movements. A fourth type is colonic which is repetitive, jerking movements. A fifth type is tonic which is muscle stiffness and rigidity. The sixth type is atonic which a loss of muscle tone is. “Epilepsy does not have any definitive answers or a simple reference guide to refer to in an attempt to diagnose which type you have.”(Web Md, 1). It is a process since there are over 40 different types an individual can experience. It is important to start a medical journal to record any and all information about your seizures. When you are tracking your activity the goal is to figure out what the trigger may be. Items that you should try to remember when keeping notes in your medical journal for reference are the following: Was there a trigger that set off the seizure example did you feel tired, hungry or unwell? Did you have any warnings that the seizure was going to happen? Did your mod change for example were you excited, anxious or quiet? Did you notice any unusual sensations such as an odd smell or taste or a pit feeling
in your stomach? Where were you? What were you doing before the seizure? Did you appear to be blank or stare into space? Did you lose consciousness or become confused? Did you do anything unusual such as mumble, wander aimlessly or fiddle with your clothing? Did your color change (pale or flushed) and if so lips? Did your breathing change? Did any part of your body move, jerk or twitch? Did you fall down or go stiff or floppy? Did you wet yourself? Did you bit your tongue or cheek? If someone witnessed the episode, get their feedback as to what they saw. All of the aforementioned are key factors in tracking your seizures. They are all valid questions and can help in assisting in figuring out what types of seizures you are experiencing in addition to finding certain triggers. By utilizing a medical journal and documenting your episodes is very useful in finding the triggers. Popular triggers for epilepsy are: stress, sleep deprivation, diet, hormonal changes, environmental changes, flashing lights, etc. Not all epilepsy is the same and each usually as a different trigger. “Identifying what the individuals trigger is can assist in changing what is within your control to help improve the situation.”(Web Md, 2).
Educational, social, and psychological treatment are all part of the total treatment plan for epilepsy. The most important step you can take is to find help as soon as you are feeling defeated or that you are not able to cope with the situation. “Epilepsy is best managed by a team of doctors that can provide medical, psycho-social and educational support.” (Web Md, 2). If you are having problems at work, school, relationships, daily activities it is important for you to discuss it with a member of the epilepsy team. The epilepsy teams, foundations, local organizations, and family are all resources to utilize to communicate how you are feeling. Earlier stress was discussed as a trigger and the worst thing you can do is contain all of those feelings inside, not communication your frustrations. This is not healthy and communication/reaching out are imperative to ensure you receive the support and guidance you need.
Taking action early will enable you to understand and deal with the many effects of epilepsy. Learning to manage stress is the biggest component to help you in maintaining a positive physical, emotional, and spiritual outlook on life. Don’t allow epilepsy to have you! Dig deep to find the determination to defeat epilepsy! Everyone must remember that epilepsy will not stop you for being successful or achieving your goals! Only you can allow epilepsy to stop you! Be the winner! Come out on top! Even when you are having your hard days and tired of having episodes, do not allow it to defeat you or knock you down. Get back up and continue the fight!