Guest Post: Annie Evans

Tips for Traveling with Epilepsy

Although epilepsy is a serious medical condition, it shouldn’t prevent you from seeing the world! With some extra precaution and planning,

1. Don’t Travel Alone – It’s not wise to travel alone when you have epilepsy, especially if you have frequent seizures or could experience confusion or a loss of consciousness after a seizure. If you were alone in an unfamiliar place when these symptoms occur, you could put yourself into a dangerous situation. The person traveling with you should know exactly what to do if a seizure occurs and should be comfortable with explaining it to others.

2. Consider Different Modes of Transportation – When making travel plans, carefully consider the modes of transportation available to you. Depending on the type and frequency of your seizures, some kinds of transportation may be safer than others. Most people with epilepsy can safely travel by air, but you should still bring a doctor’s letter with you that states that you can fly safely. You’ll also need to inform the flight crew before taking off and give them some instructions on what they should do if you have a seizure.

3. Bring Extra Medication – You should always carry a day’s supply of medication with you, wherever you go. You should also plan ahead for any time changes so that you continue to take your medication at the right times. If you are flying, bring two sets of medication on your trip – one for your carry-on and another for your checked luggage. This way you will be prepared if your bags get lost. Make sure that all of your medications in in their original packaging with labels so that you aren’t questioned by airport security.

4. Take Precautions for a VNS – If you have a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implanted in your chest to prevent seizures, you will need to take some extra precautions to avoid trouble with airport security. Make sure you carry your VNS registration card with you and have your doctor write a note explaining the purpose of the device.

5. Wear a Medical ID Bracelet – If you have epilepsy, you should already wear your medical ID bracelet at all times. While your friends and family at home already know about your basic information and condition, the best way that medical personnel can get this information is with your medical ID. It should have your full name, medical condition (epilepsy), medications and allergies, emergency contact number, and doctor's phone number engraved on it.

Annie Evans is a certified radiologist who enjoys writing health articles in her spare time. She also owns a site called Become an X-Ray Technician for students interested in training to be a radiologic technician.

The Depths Of Human Kindness

My friend Mandy wrote a great post on her blog My Life As Mandy... With Epilepsy today. Her question was, is epilepsy really a blessing in disguise? She said yes. A lot of people told her she was wrong and that epilepsy is a curse, a black spot on the face of life, but I agree with her with every fiber of my soul.

Diagnosed at age seven, I don't remember a time without seizures, tests, doctor visits and handfuls of pills. Sometimes it felt like my life was an exercise in silver linings, but I can honestly say that if I could rewrite it, I wouldn't change a thing. For me, epilepsy has been a blessing; it's taught me more about what it means to be human than anything else I've ever experienced. Epilepsy is part of who I am, it's shaped me into the person I am today.

Having a disorder like epilepsy makes me see the world differently; I'm more aware of and sensitive to the difficulties others face, I'm more attuned to the heartbeat of the earth and I can tell you it's strong. The world is full of people who each have burdens, weights on their shoulders that at times feel unbearable. Some are loud, some are silent. Some are mad, some are scared, some are hopeful. Some endure the bad as a shadow over their life, some spend every day seeking the good in their lot. Some feel cheated, some feel grateful.

I've always had a roof over my head; I've never been hungry; I've never feared for my life; I've never smelled death in the streets. I can't imagine how life must be for so many in our world, the pain and hardships they've experienced. But when I hear of the people who never lose faith, who strive for more, strive for happiness, I am awestruck, I am inspired.

The cross I bear is a pocket charm compared to many, but it is the depths of human kindness that never ceases to amaze me. No matter the size of your burden, no matter the cause or kind, there are people watching and waiting to give you their hand. We are never truly alone. None of us. We are connected by life, energy, spirit; we come from the same beginnings and we go to the same ends. It might not always feel like it, there are times we all feel lonely, misunderstood, even abandoned, but reach out your hand and it will meet the same flesh that covers you, the same blood that runs through your veins. This is what epilepsy has taught me.

Each time I reach inward, I am amazed at the strength I find within myself. Each time I look up, I am amazed by the strength of those around me; their love and support feeds me, sustains me. Maybe I would have figured that out a different way, but in this life, it is my journey with epilepsy that has given me no choice but to search myself and search the world and what I find, every day, every minute, every second, touches my soul. For this, I am eternally grateful.

I once wrote here that my surgery was a perfect storm of Grace. I was wrong. It is my life that continues to be the perfect storm of Grace.

Never Have I Ever

I always hated that game when I was younger. While all of the other teenagers or college kids put down fingers or took drinks with a sly I'm-busted-for-something-cool-and-notorious-making, I sat on the edge and tried not to call attention to my full cup and the five fingers that all still stood at attention. I was never part of the popular elite like my sister and I was never the bad girl or wild child but I'm okay with that. I never snuck out of the house, I was always home by curfew and called if I was going to be late, I've never even smoked a cigarette and didn't drink until college. I've never punched someone and never gotten detention, let alone been arrested. I did slap someone once, but he asked for it and we're good now. At 26, there are plenty of things I've never done, and while it was embarrassing from time to time when I was younger, I have no regrets. I'm a goody-two-shoes and that's fine. There's just one thing I haven't done that from time to time makes me sheepish: I've never seen someone have a tonic-clonic seizure.

Last week, I was on a Google Plus Hangout video chatting session with some other epilepsy bloggers. "Meeting" them and swapping stories was great - they're all talented, dedicated people who are doing their part to make the world a more seizure-friendly place. We talked about what kinds of seizures we and ours have and I was amazed, as always, at how many different kinds exist. "You know what I'm talking about," was usually true, but a few times I hung back, hesitant, feeling like I should know more than I do. How haven't I ever seen someone have a grand mal seizure? I mean, I'm an epilepsy blogger! What kind of fraud must I be? I glanced at my untouched ginger ale and flashed back to an outstretched palm.

Why is it that we all want to be included so badly that we find ourselves wishing for terrible things? Staring into my computer on the tall kitchen table in my shoebox apartment, I realized what I was thinking and felt a little ridiculous. Would it be easier to relate if I'd seen one? Probably, but I should be glad, grateful, that my friends and family have never had them and none of the kids at the Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado's summer camp had one at lunch, walking through the Estes Park YMCA or, God forbid, on the ropes course. I remind myself of that whenever I'm feeling insecure, unsure if I'm really qualified to write about epilepsy.

On that note, here is a video of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure from the point of view of the man having it. It's a very powerful video and I recommend following the instructions: wait for it to load completely before starting it, turn off all the lights and wear headphones. It's very illuminating if you've, like me, never seen one or, like me, had one many years ago in the middle of the night and don't remember anything.

Kudos and thanks to Nathan Jones for doing such a great job with this and letting me post it here for you.