Eight years seizure free!

It has been eight years since my last seizure. That’s 96 months,about 417 weeks, 2,920 days and over 70,000 hours my body has been working, along with my medications, to keep my brain’s electrical rhythms in balance. Being seizure free I have been able to travel, work two jobs, and exercise at least 5 days … Continue reading Eight years seizure free!

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International Epilepsy Day 2023

February 13, 2023 is International Epilepsy Day, a day that provides “a platform for people with epilepsy to share their experiences and stories with a global audience.” This is important because epilepsy is “one of the world’s oldest known medical conditions”, there is still misunderstanding, fear, and reluctance to learn and talk about it. This … Continue reading International Epilepsy Day 2023

Big milestone at the neurologist

I went for my first appointment of the year with my neurologist. I always like to go with someone in case he says something that I need to remember, gives me instructions or anything that someone else needs or should hear in case I forget. Today had to go by myself and I was a … Continue reading Big milestone at the neurologist

More workouts and no more snacking

I thought everything was perfect as long as I took my anti convulsive medications, didn’t drink alcohol and slept eight hours every night. I forgot that I shouldn’t gain weight, at least not too much. Gaining weight affects my medication levels; if they are too low it could lead to a seizure. I have only … Continue reading More workouts and no more snacking

I got Lacosamide in Puerto Rico!

They day finally came, I was able to get my hand on Lacosamide or generic Vimpat, here in Puerto Rico. First of all, I would like to acknowledge my mom’s genius mind for suggesting we try Sam’s Club pharmacy instead of Walgreens, where they kept telling us it wasn’t available in Puerto Rico yet. When … Continue reading I got Lacosamide in Puerto Rico!

Lacomaside (Generic Vimpat) was approved by the FDA

The FDA just approved the sale of lacosamide tablets, which is the generic name for the anti-seizure medication, Vimpat. This is the medication that finally controlled my seizures and the one that I had trouble getting because of its cost. I hope that now that the FDA approved the sale of lacosamide it will be … Continue reading Lacomaside (Generic Vimpat) was approved by the FDA

Tracking my brain wave patterns for 24 hours

I was forced to take a day off of PiYo for an EEG today. This is the 24 hour test where 24 electrodes are placed on my head for 24 hours to track and record brain wave patterns. The abnormal patterns show problems,which in my case are seizures. I always dread having this done, but … Continue reading Tracking my brain wave patterns for 24 hours

PiYo was my savior today

Today’s workout was very weird. It was difficult to concentrate on what I had to to because I was trying to listen to my phone at the same time. I had it on speaker as I did the PiYo video because I was on hold with my health insurance provider and I had to pay … Continue reading PiYo was my savior today

I couldn’t afford to control my seizures anymore

In March I got the big surprise that the pharmacy that had been providing me with both anti epilepsy medication for the past six years, would no longer be able to help me with the most expensive one of the two medicines I need. Why? Because suddenly my health insurance decided to provide coverage for … Continue reading I couldn’t afford to control my seizures anymore

Vaccinated and seizure free!

I was very excited about today, April 8, 2021. This is a very important day to me; it’s like a second birthday because today I celebrate being one more year seizure free. Today I am officially six years seizure free! On top of that, I got my second Covid19 vaccine this afternoon. I think that … Continue reading Vaccinated and seizure free!

My latest electroencephalogram

When my neurologist tells me I need to get another electroencephalogram, I feel a little anxious. I don’t like the thought of having cables glued to my scalp for a whole day and not being able to do anything but stay home, anyway I have to get the EEG. They use this to detect electrical … Continue reading My latest electroencephalogram

Epilepsy and COVID-19

When I first heard of the Coronavirus spread, the first question I had was if it would increase my risk of seizures, if it would cause one, even while I'm on medication or if it increased the risk of coronavirus. People with epilepsy are not immunocompromised so it does not put us at a higher … Continue reading Epilepsy and COVID-19

One year in my apartment

It has officially been one year since I moved into my own apartment. Well, owned by my parents right next to their house, but it's mine. This is the first time I have a kitchen all to myself and no, I haven't set anything on fire, at least not yet. I think that's a very … Continue reading One year in my apartment

I forgot this morning

I just realized what a huge mistake I made staying in bed this morning after I turned off my alarm. In my head, I turned it off, got up, took my medicine which include B6, Folic Acid, Ritalin, Zoloft, and most importantly one doze of Vimpat. That is the most important one in the morning … Continue reading I forgot this morning

Solving a neuroscience puzzle

As a part of Epilepsy Awareness Month, I would like to share an interesting article I found: Solving a century-old neuroscience puzzle may lead to epilepsy therapy Neurotransmitters, or NTs, are chemicals that neurons synthesize and release, which bind to receptors on adjacent neurons. Excitatory NTs like glutamate will activate neurons (i.e. cause them to … Continue reading Solving a neuroscience puzzle