Anyone with a seizure disorder ?

starlightjenn · May 19, 2008

I am in the same situation you are. I also have epilepsy due to side effects from the brain surgery I had last year. Had a tumor! Great I know..and now I have epilepsy. It also worries me that I won't be excepted into nursing school because of this, and the fact that I have ADHD. I am applying to nursing school this coming up semester. Any suggestions on what to do? Do you need to supply the school with the fact that you have this disorder? I know it would benefit me to tell them, in case of an incident. But won't they judge me for it?

wonderstars · Jun 10, 2008

A lurker popping in to say I know how you all feel. I graduated last year with a BSN in nursing and still suffering the occasional seizure. I struggle to control them mainly because I can't find a day/evening rotation that would make it so much easier on my body. It's hard work to keep my body on track despite shift work. I am completely aware of patient safety and am lucky that my seizures only come in the morning.

Good luck to everyone. Don't let seizures stop you from nursing. The great thing about nursing is the variety of work available. There are jobs that will allow you to do what you enjoy, ensure patient safety and your safety. :)

dallet6 · Jun 17, 2008

I also have epilepsy. I take 250 2x day of lamictal and I do really well on it. The couple times the doctor took me off I had gran mals, but I haven't had a seizure in 7 years now. I do have occasional "out of sorts" feelings, but these don't affect my daily living so I can't imagine them being a problem.

btw-i'm a prenursing student right now (one of those older returning student types :chuckle)

cync31 · Jun 28, 2008

I also have epilepsy and am planning on starting an ADN program this fall. I used to have a lot of problems with meds and had difficulty with work because of it. Even though I worked in physicians' offices, they were not at all understanding of my situation. I finally got a vagus nerve stimulator 3 years ago and have not had a seizure since, knock on wood! The Americans With Disabilities Act in the U.S. protects you from having to disclose your condition to employers or schools. However, it is a good idea to at least inform your boss or a trusted advisor in the event of an emergency. They are not legally allowed to reveal your condition to anyone else in the company. Also in the U.S., the disability act protects you from discrimination and retribution if you need to miss a bit of work for an appointment, which is another good reason to inform someone of your condition. Epilepsy IS covered under the act. If you have questions about your rights, you can find answers on epilepsy sites or by looking up the disability act.

topgungirl27 · Jun 29, 2008

I have just suffered my first seizure..didnt know what the heck was going on or why the EMT's were in my bedroom to begin with. I also had a brain tumor removed about 4 months ago and had the seizure last week...do any of you have experience with such a time lapse between seizures and the actual surgery? I too just enrolled in a CNA course and will be doing classes in August for nursing school and was wondering if I should share this up front. I see both sides of letting someone know.

cync31 · Jun 29, 2008

topgungirl, I'm guessing that was the only one you've had so far? I would say talk to your doctor about whether you should disclose or not. If you have only had 1 seizure, are still allowed to drive, and haven't been diagnosed with a seizure disorder, then there is probably very little reason to share with your school or employer. On the other hand, if you have been diagnosed, need testing, or have had driving privileges temporarily suspended, then you might want to share this..but that's ultimately up to you. Good luck, and congrats on getting in!

TammiRN · Jun 29, 2008

I have had epilepsy for most of my life and it has been controlled with Lamictal and Tegretol XR. (I have grand mal and petit mal). Nursing school was difficult for me because of the memorization. I have always had to work harder than "normal" people to memorize things. I say, keep your head up and study hard. The neurologists told me when I was younger that I would never be capable of complex thought and look at me now - I'm a registered nurse! There is no better joy than that. Sometimes people do get afraid when I tell them that I have epilepsy but I use it as means to educate and I have never had a problem with any place that I have worked.

Bobylon · Jun 29, 2008

I do, I do ..... I was upfront applying to school, instructors and head of program are fine with it, future employer is fine with it (they pay for our tuition/books - had to go through physical/drug screen/application b4 school). I've been very fortunate that every employer I've had so far has been fine with it, but I'm well controlled at this point. In the beginning (13 years ago, out of the blue), I was having sp's and cp's weekly, and a gm every couple of months - docs dunno why. Having suffered through several different mind numbing meds (and combos of such), I'm now on Keppra as monotherapy, feel absolutely clear-headed and functional, and sz frequency is down to one gm every 1 1/2 years or so.

And, if worst comes to worst, I live close enough to school (and future workplace) that I can ride my bike.... just as I've done previously to get to work when my driving priviledges have been suspended for 6 mos due to sz. Now, if Keppra would only go generic

topgungirl27 · Jun 29, 2008

Thank you so much for the input from all of you...I'm brand new to seizures though, sounds like most of you have a history...I just had my first one last Monday and i'm assuming it's due to having a craniotomy? My life seemed to be going just fine...I had just returned to work after being gone 3 months...cleared of meds, EEG was normal...now that i've had a seizure and am back on meds (Phenytoin 3x day) I feel weak, very tired, even more forgetful then before and I was told by the ER nurse I may not be able to drive for 6 months. My job has been pure hell since being back and I just feel lost. I wish I could ride my bike to work, but I work outside of Atlanta and I've got quite a commute by car as it is. I'm hoping when I see the neuro next week they can tweak my meds and I won't feel so blah. I also have a 2 yr old son who just seemed to pick up even more energy over the last 3 days and it's been hard to keep up with him. Even when I was home recouping from the craniotomy I did not feel this out of it...do you guys think it's just the meds? Do you think I'm going to have a history of seizures now?

niali · Aug 24, 2008

It has been so hard. I finally passed A&P 1.Now for A&P 2.I want to thank everyone for their replies.I know now that I am not alone and that if I want to do something,I must decide if I can or not.

topgungirl27 · Aug 24, 2008

Congrats on passing your classes!!!! I had to forgo classes for the fall because I've had 2 more seizures since my first post about seizure disorders..I'm now on 400mg of Dilantin and an additional 1000mg of Keppra. My driving priviledges have been suspended for 6 months and every time i have a new seizures, I get bumped out 30 more days...already made an appt. to see a new neurologist to see if he can give any different answers. I understand seizures may be common after brain surgery but when does it get to the point when you have a seizure disorder?

dallet6 · Aug 28, 2008

I'm not a dr. (or even a nurse yet), but I'd say you have a seizure disorder when you have recurrent seizures that are unrelated to any other medical diagnosis.