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Old 12-04-2003, 10:30 PM   #1
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Phew! Okay I've been contemplating and contemplating and contemplating this ever since my plans were made to go to Ireland with my friend and my mum brought it up. You guys are pretty knowledged, it seems. So what's your opinion? I've never been hosteling, so I'm a little worried..

Ok here's the situation. This'll take a lotta space I'm sure, be prepared:

I've got epilepsy (please no worries or get well cards, thanks...I will accept chocolate, cakes, and stereo systems ), but I only have seizures (convulsions) when I sleep. I can be real disruptive or hardly at all. It just depends. Thing is they rarely bother me at all, even if I'm consious during 'em. But they can be pretty freaky for other people to see, so I hear. My little brother is terrified of them, my cousin isn't so bad but still gets 'wigged' out, and then I've met people who barely notice..
I only have 'em about 6-8 times a month (again, only while I sleep), so that's not bad. But I'm wondering, as I'm sure you can guess, if it'll piss people off in a dorm? Well I'd imagine it would, and I plan to tell people before I hit the hay if I can.
Thoughts, anyone? Don't worry I tell people I'm epileptic all the time. It's like saying "I have athsma" no worries you won't offend me....some people think they might, eh?
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Old 12-04-2003, 10:52 PM   #2
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I don't think people will be pissed of, but more concerned for your safety and health, most people have never seen someone go into seizure and it can be a scary site for someone who is not used to it.

If you are concerned about disterbing others, then spend the extra few bucks and score a private room, you can have all the seizures you want in there
In Canada as you might know, it is illegal to descriminate against someone because of a medical condition, so here you could neve be turned away or be asked to leave a hostel because of you having a seizure, but I do not know the laws of Ireland, they might be behind the times when it come to things like that??? I think they just got legal divorce in the last 10 yrs or so. If you can't aford the private room, I would mention to the peps your sleeping with about it as well as the Hostel staff, that way you do not have an Ambulance rushing to save your life, when you do not need it

Oh ya, here is your....


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Old 12-04-2003, 10:58 PM   #3
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Hey!

Do you only have convulsions or do you scream/talk/laugh...??? Anyways, if you sleep in a dorm, make sure everyone knows about it and know what to expect...If they are informed, it should be Ok I guess. Unless you want them to freak out and be afraid you swallow your tongue (stupid myths!), and put something in your mouth to prevent it, and then you just brake your teeth on it! ahahah! Of course some people will be uneasy about it, but it's not your problem...Don't avoid doing what you want because you got epilepsy!
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Old 12-04-2003, 11:20 PM   #4
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Oh thank you CD, how lovely!
Divorce? They're that far behind? I might look that up and see if they're there yet, but if not what can I do...sue 'em? Heheheh
I didn't think about the Ambulance thing and I'm very glad you did. If they are anything like Canada I'd have to pay for it and that's like what? $80? I don't know expensive though...
Moc:
I used to scream bloody murder screams but thats over.....for good I'll talk if someone talks to me, although they won't be able to understand what I'm saying..I used to yell a bit but I can't really tell anymore, I don't think so....
Oh dear no I don't want a spoon shoved in my mouth thank you! Where did that myth come from anyway??? And good point too. My trip I'm paying for it...

Thanks guys
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Old 12-05-2003, 05:40 AM   #5
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Comlubia, no worries at all,the team is here fro you!!!

But as Moc said...
Quote:
Don't avoid doing what you want because you got epilepsy!
You gotta stick wit da plan, go see the world without that weight on your shoulders, its something you can not change, and true freinds.

Here is some quick info for you:

Quote:
Travelling by air
Anyone travelling by air is advised to keep their entire supply of tablets, in the original containers, in their hand luggage. Customs officials may request information about a person's medication. Travellers may therefore wish to carry a letter detailing their seizure type and medication. When travelling, it is helpful to continue taking medication at regular intervals. This may require gradual adjustments to accommodate changes in time zones.

The majority of people with epilepsy can fly without experiencing a problem, although some people may find that stress, excitement or tiredness associated with travel may trigger a seizure. If there is a likelihood of a person having a seizure during the flight, they may wish to inform the airline. Some airlines may request information about the person's epilepsy from their doctor before travel.
The National Society for Epilepsy
September 2002


Australian Epilepsy Association ( Good Tips)

And besides 911, you should maybe stick this # in your pocket:

British Epilepsy Association
New Anstey House, Gate Way Drive, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7XY
tel 0113/210 8800
fax 0113/391 0300
epilepsy@bea.org.uk
www.epilepsy.org.uk

If you have any serious problem, they would prob be will to help, even if your not Britsh...

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Old 12-05-2003, 08:28 AM   #6
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Well besides suggesting to alert the people at the desk about it, do they have medical bracelets you can get for epilepsy? LIke the ones they have for diabetes, etc. At least that way being in the dorm someone could see the bracelet and it could tell them you are prone to seizures and that no immediate special treatment is needed. I've never dealt much with epilepsy or seizures so perhaps I am just talk jibberish. But just a thought.
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2009-2014: February - Mexico (Cancun x 3, Cozumel x 1, Mazatlan x 2

2014 : Europe: Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Czech Rep, Germany, France, England

2015 : US:Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Joshua Tree NP, Salton Sea, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Mt. Rushmore. 20 states. Europe: Stockholm, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Ireland (month driving around), Northern Ireland, Edinburgh.

2021: Europe?

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Old 12-05-2003, 01:40 PM   #7
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Wow CD thats some pretty thourough stuff there. Airports...what a hassle. I will definatly look into all that, can't hurt to know. Ooooh I don't want to get to the airport and have them raise a fuss over some little pills in a plastic jar. And insurance, insurance...expensive, it says! Damnit! I don't know anything about insurance. Oh what ignorance! Good thing that's what my cousin does for a living .
Oh and I looked up Ireland's laws they do have laws against disability discrimination...for employment anyway.
Sijuki you're right they do have medi-alert bracelets for epilepsy and just about anything else you can think of. Unfortunatly finding a good one is real tough. I've had...3 I think (I hate jewelery) and each and every one has broken. Only the first was remotely decent-looking (the others looked like they were made from those little-kid jewelery making kits). Yah its not about the looks, but the clasps on those sucka's are shit...For going overseas though I'll probably get one made up custom, or buy two.
Wow complaints complaints! And on a Friday to-boot. Huh.
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Old 12-05-2003, 03:40 PM   #8
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Epilepsy is fascinating...We are currently learning about it at school and they showed us a video with all kind of epilepsy...There was this guy who would just be laughing, and a lady who just kept trying to wipe her face and clothes...You are lucky it just happens when you are sleeping! Do you suffer from short term memory loss, meaning it's harder to learn new things? Anyways...It's just my medical curiousity...Whenever I see someone with a pathologie, I'm just dying to ask questions about it...Heheh!
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Old 12-05-2003, 04:25 PM   #9
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When I was I think eight they took videos of me and sent them all around the world for people like yourself to see I had some pretty bad epilepsy when I was younger; it started to lighten up when I hit eleven..And I am VERY thankful I have them only when I'm sleeping. Very thankful.
Heheheh I suffer selective short term memory loss, for subjects involving math or history! No I'm just kidding. Occasionally I notice I can't find the word I'm looking for, and I can get bored easily, but both those 'effects' I guess you'd call 'em are pretty rare and don't bother me.
Good for you and your curiosity! I don't laugh (i've never even heard of that) or wipe my clothes, but I smell stuff (the big, baked, doughy pretzels, as I can recal!) and I used to get tingly. My grade 3 teacher told me I called the tingles "story-telling seizures"...maybe cause they came right before an actual convulsion? I was an odd child...everyone was an odd child. Well Moc, I assume you're studing med stuff: temporal lobe controls....?
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Old 12-05-2003, 05:31 PM   #10
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Hahah! Maybe I saw your video! Yeah, I'm having a hard time learning what each part of the brains does this term!
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Old 12-05-2003, 07:46 PM   #11
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Quote:
Occasionally I notice I can't find the word I'm looking for, and I can get bored easily,
Are those really effects of epilepsy? I have those problems, I just associate it with old age. I can never remember things that I should remember. I used to be great with numbers (i.e. phone number, birthdate, address) now I can't remember a number to save my life. Speaking of now able to think of words, I have been trying to think of a word for the last month and it still escapes me. I do become bored easily, although I am also easily amused.

But I don't put much faith in the medical field (sorry moc), so I don't care to ever have anyone poke around to find out if anything is wrong. I just try to remember to take my pills. Everything i do is self diagnosed. :D

My other problem is I never shutup, but I am pretty sure that is hereditary from my father.
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2009-2014: February - Mexico (Cancun x 3, Cozumel x 1, Mazatlan x 2

2014 : Europe: Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Czech Rep, Germany, France, England

2015 : US:Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Joshua Tree NP, Salton Sea, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Mt. Rushmore. 20 states. Europe: Stockholm, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Ireland (month driving around), Northern Ireland, Edinburgh.

2021: Europe?

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Old 12-05-2003, 11:37 PM   #12
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Well.....I don't think they're effects from epilepsy so much as effects from the meds. So they can vary if I change prescriptions or dosages. I don't know if epilepsy itself has any affects (other than convulsions, or a trancey stareing spell thing if that's your bit). Getting an operation can impare somebody in one way or another, permanently...so no brain surgery for me
.....ug.
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Old 12-06-2003, 08:53 AM   #13
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Epylepsie can affect memory because your brains cells stay kind of numb for a little while after a crisis...But its usually if you have many of them...and its reversible. And I don't think you need brain surgery, unless your epilepsy comes from a small abnormality in your cortex (tumor, congenital abnormality...). And they remove parts of brains only when nothing else can treat the desease and it's affecting the person's life too much, and in those cases the patient does imporve a lot, even without a part of his brains, coz the rest of it will perform better.

Siju, your memory is a muscle, you have to train it on a regular basis... I want to advise you to be careful when you treat yourself, even the so called 'soft' drugs have secondary effects and can interfeer with each other...I don't care if you don't have faith in doctors, but remember you said this when you get sick for real...
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Old 12-06-2003, 10:48 AM   #14
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Quote:
but remember you said this when you get sick for real...*
Don't worry Moc, I will. I've gone through enough misdiagnosis. I agree that there are good doctors out there, however here in the US most seem to be drug crazy and have no knowledge of anything about them. I am not sure if it is as bad in canada. But stateside here everything requires a drug. I don't like that. Over use of medications cause genes to mutate and thus become immune to drugs. I'd prefer to not contribute to that. Don't mean to ruffle your feathers about it, nothing against the medical field as my father is a nurse and my step mother is a pharmacist.
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2009-2014: February - Mexico (Cancun x 3, Cozumel x 1, Mazatlan x 2

2014 : Europe: Norway, Denmark, Hungary, Czech Rep, Germany, France, England

2015 : US:Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Joshua Tree NP, Salton Sea, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, Mt. Rushmore. 20 states. Europe: Stockholm, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague, Krakow, Warsaw, Ireland (month driving around), Northern Ireland, Edinburgh.

2021: Europe?

Need a Railpass for that Trip to Europe?
Or Maybe a Hostel Reservation?
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Old 12-06-2003, 12:43 PM   #15
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Hahaha noooo of course I don't need surgury, dosen't bother me near enough...just creeps me out is all...
Sure doctors like to prescribe their drugs, but I have faith in mine he's a good guy. My physcician (damn spelling), that is. Moc if you're gonna be a specialist do the world a favor and don't loose your sense of fun!
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Old 12-06-2003, 12:57 PM   #16
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Don't worry, my sense of humour is limitless (which brings its own problems sometimes...)
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