My Experience

It was at the start of September 2001 I was 15 at the time, I was sitting around with my mates having lunch when I had experienced my first seizure.

I remember my right side of my face going numb and not being able to speak the principal had to come over and make sure my airway was clear. I was taken to the hospital in an Ambulance and they asked alot of questions, then I was released.

The next couple of days I was taken up to the closest neurologist and had a E.E.G. where they found nothing.

The doctors just assumed it was a one off thing and it wouldn't happen again.

About 4-6 weeks later I was on the bed talking to my Mum when my second seizure came on the same thing happened my right side went numb. I heard my Mum yell out for my Dad.

The next day my Mum rang up the doctor that we were referred to, that's when I got tested for a sleep deprived E.E.G. where they found signs of epilepsy and also an MRI which also found nothing.

I was finally diagnosed with sleep deprivation epilepsy it's the same as any other epilepsy except it shows up mainly when I am sleeping.

I was put on medication, which stopped my seizures at the age of 16 and a half I was able to get my learners and then I was also allowed to get my licence when I was ready as long as I had a medical certificate with me at all times.

Since I had been seizure free for nearly three years my doctor had planned to take me off medication slowly at the end of 2004.

It was coming close to my birthday were I would be turning the big 18 and of course on your 18th birthday you've got to try alcohol. A couple of my friends were doing their deb the night before my birthday, so my plan was to go to their deb and then when that finished go out to the local clubs.

I had reached my 4th vodka cruiser and I wasn't 18, then it struck 12.00am and my cousin said he should buy a drink since I was finally 18. I had gotten half way through my drink whilst talking to some people I met, when once again my face went numb since I knew what was happening I tried to put myself on the floor and blacked again when I came to they were all trying to
find out what had happened. My cousin rang my Mum and the ladies rang the ambulance.

On the way to the hospital the ambulance people were having a bit of a laugh coz my 18th ended in tragedy.

I was not allowed to drive for 3 months after only having my licence for about 6 months.

My doctor changed his mind about taking me off my medication.

We thought the third fit was from alcohol but then a couple of weeks later, I had my fourth seizure. I don't remember any of it I was asleep in my room and my Mum was in the next room on the computer when she heard me gurgling what she thought was water when she yelled out to me I didn't respond and when she came in I was having a seizure in my sleep.

Mum rang the doctor the next morning to book an appointment and then my medication got bumped up and I had to go in for more tests.

I've been seizure free for 10 months and get check ups once a year.

Which happens to be tomorrow my doctor still wants to take me off my medication one day.

Hayley

Epilepsy Action
1300 EPILEPSY (1300 37 45 37)
Australia wide Priority Call