Home | Young people and epilepsy | Dear Debbie and Dear Danny |

Dear Debbie answers 3

Your rating: None
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Recent questions: 

  

Dear Debbie

I was diagnosed with juvenile epilepsy earlier this week and i thought i was coping with it fine but then it finally sinked in that im also a diabetic and now i feel like i have to always put my health first and that i cant really live my life like i want or like all my friends are.. do you have anything you think could help me?

Gemma, Gateshead

Hi Gemma

It can take a while to get used to the idea that you have been diagnosed with epilepsy. Sometimes people find it helpful to talk to a friend, family member or someone else with epilepsy. One way of talking to other people with epilepsy is through our online community, forum4e (for people aged 16 and over). It may seem at first as if you can’t live the life you want but most people with epilepsy take anti-epileptic medication to control their seizures. They are able to lead full and active lives, they work, drive and do the things they want to do. We have a section for teenagers that you might find helpful. Diabetes UK also have a young people’s website.

Hope this helps.

Debbie

Dear Debbie

ive only ever had to seizures while i was sleeping, that i know off and stopped breathing and turned blue both times. can they cause memory loss or brain damage.

Montana, Australia

Hi Montana

Lots of people with epilepsy only have seizures when they are sleeping. If someone has a tonic clonic seizure, it’s not unusual for them to look blue around the mouth as their breathing becomes more shallow. This is called cyanosis. Some people with epilepsy do have memory problems. There can be many reasons for this, because of anti-epileptic medication for example or because of the seizures themselves for example. Most seizures don’t damage the brain. If someone has lots of long lasting or severe seizures over a long period of time, it may be possible for them to develop brain damage but that doesn’t mean this will happen to you. If you are worried you are having memory problems, you may wish to speak to your doctor.

Hope this helps.

Debbie

Dear Debbie

im 17 years old. and my boyfriend drinks beer. and me having epilepsy and taking meds. i dont want to take the risk of trying to be someone im not. hes says he unders stands my illness. but then again i dont think he likes me for who i am? can u give me some advice?  

Sarah, Texas

 

Hi Sarah

 

If you have epilepsy, it’s just a small part of who you are. The thing to remember is that you are no different to anyone else, other than the fact that you sometimes have seizures. Having epilepsy shouldn’t be a reason for your boyfriend to not like you.

 

If you’d find it helpful to get some advice about your relationship, you could visit the TeenHelp website. This is in the USA and the staff are regular people who listen and give advice.

Hope this helps

Debbie

 

Dear Debbie

My Dad has been suffering from seizures and the doctor thinks that it could be epilepsy. My Dad is not sure as he believes that if it is epilepsy he would be unconscious which he is not.
Does a person always become unconscious while having a seizures?
Thank you.
Trudi


Hi Trudi

This must be confusing for your dad. Lots of people think having epilepsy means that they would be unconscious during their seizures, but this is not always the case. There’s loads of information on this website about different type of seizures. The introduction to epilepsy is a good place to start.

Hope this helps.

Debbie

‹ Dear Debbie answers 2upDear Debbie answers 4 ›