Managing epilepsy
With medication and by practising a healthier lifestyle, epilepsy patients can lead normal lives, writes
MOST of us go through life never having to face any major health issues. We grow up, graduate, get a job and prepare to start a new chapter in our lives. Like so many others, Christina too was on that happy path. But in 2009, when she was just 29, her life took a very different and unexpected turn.
Despite having been healthy her whole life, she suddenly had an epileptic seizure at work.
“At that time, I was facing elevated challenges at work and the increase in stress levels coincided with the onset of my first attack. I had never faced such an episode before,” says Christina.
Unfortunately, once epilepsy is triggered, the condition can’t be reverted. Initially, Christina was in denial, believing that the attacks wouldn’t happen again.
But the next one came and it was worse than the last. This time, an ambulance was called to take her to the hospital. There, it was discovered that she had a left hippocampal sclerosis — scarring in the brain — which was the cause of her epilepsy.
THE CHALLENGE
But her difficult journey was just about to get tougher.
After being diagnosed, Christina was referred to a hospital, where there weren’t any neurologists to recommend the best course of treatment.
“I was passed from doctor to doctor, and for quite some time, I found that getting the right help was tough.”
“When I am surrounded by positivity, I too become positive and that helps me face my challenges.”
Christina
At that time, as part of her teaching requirement, Christina, a lecturer, was transferred to another branch. The change was challenging.
On top of coming to terms with her diagnosis, doctors did not allow her to drive, and she struggled with the loss of independence and having to adapt to a new environment.
However, after some time, the change became a blessing. At the new place, the staff were amazing and the students were very caring and Christina felt like she was part of a family.
Her attacks also became less frequent and milder. This made her realise the importance of a support system and an understanding community for people with epilepsy.
“When I am surrounded by positivity, I too become positive and that helps me face my challenges.”
It was also during this time that she met someone who led her down the right path in managing her epilepsy.
“I had one particularly bad attack during a training session at work, and a gentleman whom I had never met before approached me afterwards. He told me that he too used to experience epileptic seizures and he passed me details of a neurologist.”
The neurologist helped Christina to learn how to manage her condition, both physically and emotionally.
It was a turning point for her. Not only was she finally referred to someone who could provide her with adequate treatment, but Christina also started to recognise that there were many others in a similar situation and they too had to make many sacrifices in managing their condition.
Of course, she had already read up on epilepsy and knew that it affected many people but meeting another person with the same condition had a great impact on her.
Meeting that gentleman who had successfully faced his condition gave her hope that she could too.
These days, when she does have an attack, it’s usually rather mild. She just rests for a bit and nobody can even tell that she has had an attack.
The medication she’s been taking has helped her manage her epilepsy and she doesn’t faint or black out anymore.
However, she’s aware that she has to take charge of her condition in other ways too — by practising a healthier lifestyle and not burdening herself with too much work or stress.
MoVinG ForWarD
“Beforebeingdiagnosed,Ihadarathervague idea of what epilepsy was. I didn’t know that it could be treated through medication and that patients could live normal lives. I have very supportive siblings who understand my condition but often, I find it difficult to talk about it openly with others.”
Christina says many people struggle to fully comprehend her situation, and a lack of understanding also brings the danger of judging and stigmatising people like her.
Even the gentleman at work who helped her get help, made her promise that she wouldn’t tell anyone about his condition.
“But here lies the complication — how can we then expect others to be able to comprehend something they aren’t aware of? That is why I chose to share my story, so that people can be aware of epilepsy, to understand that epilepsy does not define a person.It doesn’t define me.”
Christina stresses that epilepsy patients can most definitely lead normal lives.She herself has managed to complete her master’s degree and has been working as a lecturer for over 10 years.
She has learnt to adapt to her condition, understanding that she has to adhere to a lifestyle that she can manage.
She says in addition to the medication, it is crucial for patients to accept their condition and share the challenges they face.
When things got difficult for Christina, her neurologist arranged for her to see a psychiatrist. The sessions helped a lot as she could talk about her challenges, how she felt and what she was going through.
Christina believes patients can benefit a lot through counselling, especially when going through the more challenging phases of epilepsy.
“For me, it is about living life to the fullest, to wake up and smell the roses. Yes, epilepsy comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices but I choose to look at the bright side and strive for the best.”
meera@mediaprima.com.my