Dear Danny answers 3

Recent questions: 

Dear Danny

My 17 year old sister passed away suddenly on 05/11/07 from Epilepsy. I miss her so much, who do I speak to? My family have been wonderful support, I don't want to trouble Mum & Dad too much.Thanks for listening to me again,

love Jake xx

Hi Jake

I’m very sorry to hear about your sister, it must be a sad time for you at the moment. I’m sure your mum and dad would want you to talk to them about how you are feeling. If you would prefer to talk to someone else, there is a charity called Winston’s Wish which helps children who have lost someone close to them recently. They have a helpline, you can ring them on 0845 03 04 05. They have a section for young people on their website where you can share how you are feeling and ask questions. Do you have a teacher at school you could confide in? You could also ring Childline, their telephone number is 0800 1111 and ringing them doesn’t cost you anything.

I hope this helps.

Danny

Dear Danny

As a child when i was sleeping, my eyes would be open an i would hilosinate shadows in the room and feel the blanket coming off me but i told my mum says i was dreaming and i no i wasnt!

last year i hit my head on the swimming pool side and knocked my self out, after that i started to get a funny tast in my mouth like a metal taste or a funny smell in my nose,a really bad migrane and would faint, my boyfriend has watched me faint and gone over to see if i was ok he said its more than that because when he goes over to see if im ok he says he holds my hand and i have clenched fingers and he cant even hold my hand because i hurt him when i do.

and i stayed at my friends a few weeks ago and i had a cigarette and cup of tea in my hand and she said i wasnt respomding to her when she was asking me questions i was just staring at nothing and then i fainted.

please write back as soon as possible i dont want to go to the doctor im to afraid im a very shy and reseved person and dont like talking to people face to face

Kat, Warrington

Hi Kat

I’m sorry to hear you’ve been having lots of unusual symptoms. As I’m not a doctor, I’m afraid I can’t tell you if you have been having epileptic seizures. It really would be a good idea to speak to your own doctor. I understand that you are very shy, but doctors see people who are shy every day. They should help you to feel comfortable enough to tell them what has been happening.

Alternatively, you could seek some medical advice over the phone by contacting NHS Direct, tel. 0845 46 47.

You can help doctors to make a diagnosis of your symptoms by giving them as much information as possible about what happens to you. An easy way to do this is by [keeping a diary of your symptoms].

If you are diagnosed with epilepsy and you’d like any more advice or information, you can always come back and ask me more questions, or you can speak to an epilepsy adviser on the freephone Epilepsy Helpline, tel. 0808 800 5050.

I hope that helps.

Danny

Dear Danny

Hi Danny,

I know this is a long shot, but i just need help...

With my fits getting more and more i just can't stand it anymore and i don't know what to do!

I am at the end of my tether and want to do somthing, but every turn i make is the wrong one to make!

I don't know what i am goin to do, but i need to do somthing!

HELP - PLEASE

Hi Anon

I’m sorry to hear that your fits are getting worse. It’s understandable that you’re feeling frustrated and like you’ve reached the end of your tether.

It’s important that you speak to your doctor or epilepsy specialist, if you haven’t done so already. They should be able to help you by looking at your medication to see if you‘re taking the right amount or need to try a different drug.  Sometimes, people find that their medication stops working as well as it used to.

If things are getting on top of you, it can sometimes help to talk to other people.   We  have an online community, Forum4e, that is only open to people who have epilepsy (aged 16 and over).  If you are in the UK, we also have local branches in some areas. Our freephone helpline 0808 800 5050 will be able to tell you if there is a branch near you. You could also email us at epilepsy@epilepsy.org.uk.

Hope this helps.

Danny