EPILEPSY...Help pleasE! IM JUST a H.S STUDENT!!lol.?!
Question: So i have been recently diagnosed with epilepsy.. like right before my sophmore year began...and my grades have been the WORST ever!!! Because of the medication i've been on currently, causes: Really bad MEMORY LOSS! A.D.D,etc. do you think if i talked to my conselor about it...what might she say?! do you think she would change one of my grades?? what do you think she might say?!
Thanks SO0O0O MUCH!
<3 =)
Answers: So i have been recently diagnosed with epilepsy.. like right before my sophmore year began...and my grades have been the WORST ever!!! Because of the medication i've been on currently, causes: Really bad MEMORY LOSS! A.D.D,etc. do you think if i talked to my conselor about it...what might she say?! do you think she would change one of my grades?? what do you think she might say?!
Thanks SO0O0O MUCH!
<3 =)
First of all, I have Epilepsy Grand mals. If you have that, its more difficult, Its sounds as though you may be on Topamax which is usually not for Grand mal. So if it is Topamax I think you can afford to change meds. I was on that drug and i could not focus at all and also had memory loss.
If you see a neurologist, tell them about your problem and they will help you find the medicine that works for you. you could try getting a note from her to help a grade. but it may not work.
Meds I like are Depakote i was on for many years and got deans list while on that but i has bad side effects for women's bodies s i moved on (more for grand mal) , Keppra which i like b/c it completely controls my seizures (also for grand mal), and Lamictal is awesome! (especially for partial seizures). I am on Keppra and Lamictal to cover all the bases. I switched after the Depakote.
If you want to stay on topamax just remember that the side effects usually go away after 1 to 2 months, also you will lose a lot of weight because food doesnt attract you anymore...its weird.
but anyway give your neurolgist a call, she will call you back and tell her what is going on. she may give you a written document saying you may need some help until you get used to the meds, I am 27 now and made it though prep high school and college with a lot of meds. i did very well and they didnt affect me at all. but after college, i tried topamax and i couldnt focus at work AT ALL!
Good Luck!
I don't think she can change your grade, but perhaps she can help you work with the teacher to improve it. Most teachers want you to suceed, and if they become aware of a reason which might explain your poor performance they are usually more than willing to work with you. After all, it's not as if you are just sloughing off the work- and if you are honestly trying your best, I would imagine they would be willing to help you. All your teachers should be made aware of your medical condition, for one thing they need to know in case you should happen to have a seizure in class. I also think speaking to the counsellor is a smart move on your part, because they may also be able to put you in contact with a support group to help you adjust to your condition and speak with other teens/young folks who walk your particular path. You might also discuss the problems with the medications with your doctor and see if there is something they can do to help with that. It might be helped with a change of medication or dosage- and you won't know unless you ask. Good luck, and keep a positive outlook. Most folks will be more than willing to help and work with you, as long as you are also doing your part.