Just keep singing!

So I may have disappeared from social media sites a little including here as I still don't have my own internet at home... But.. as my seizures continue so to does life!

The past couple of weekends the Glyndwr University Choir of which I am a member have put on a gala concert along with the Cantiones Choir and a brilliant orchestra the Oswestry Sinfonia and it has been an amazing success. It's such an lovely feeling being able to stand in front of a packed church and sing out some wonderful songs. 

This is a photograph my friend took last night during the last of our performances singing Mozart's Requiem and Pergolesi's Magnificat. 

I have to say I am very lucky to have been a part of it and think we should all be proud of our performance. Whether my seizures like it or not I hope to continue singing with the choir for a long time to come!

No internet

I might be a little slack on the blogging in the near future as I have just moved into a new apartment and life is super busy so I am yet to sort out any sort of internet!

Catch up soon though! x

NHS Choices Epilepsy Clinic

I received an email today with some exciting content that I have been asked to share with you all as it really would be very helpful to people with Epilepsy in their lives in any which way!

talkhealth –  work in partnership with NHS Choices to share information, run forums and a monthly Online clinic service. Our clinics are online Q&A sessions with NHS experts answering questions on a particular health topic each month – to mark National Epilepsy Week this month’s focus is Epilepsy. The clinic are completely free to join – people must make an account on talkhealth to post but this is free, quick and easy – and all of the experts volunteer their time for free.

The Clinic opens today and members will be able to post questions with the experts replying until next Friday (23^rd May), we will also be doing a twitter chat 12-1BST on Wednesday around Epilepsy.

Although the clinics are only open for questions for a week the content will be available to view both on the NHS Choices website and on talkhealth for a minimum of 12 months ensuring the enduring value of the advice given – and increasing the need to get as many good questions posted as possible in the time that the experts are available to answer!

Here's is a Link to the Clinic for anyone that might want to get involved in anyway. Ask a question or simply take a look through others that have already been posted as you never know what information you might find extremely helpful! 

They are also available to follow on Twitter @talkhealth 

Happy Friday all x 

Neuro Appointment May'14

It didn't exactly go to plan.

It's been nearly four years since I had my first known epileptic seizure and I'm still non the wiser as to why I started having them. I've gotten used to this fact though, despite the fact they carry out test after test, scan after scan in an attempt to find the answer, it may never arrive. Although it would be good to know why, I'm ok with not ever having an answer. What I'm not ok with, is being told that my seizures might never be controlled. My neurologist and I are not giving up hope though, that's for sure. He is a VERY honest doctor, something that I have the utmost respect for, I think it is one of the most important qualities anyone in the medical profession can have. During my appointment he told me that this may well be the case, I may never gain full control of my seizures. 

He wants to start me on another medication. What this new drug will be is not known yet, he wants to read through my notes thoroughly before deciding which one would suit me and my seizure frequency and type best. I have had near death experiences when it comes to medications side effects though and so both he and I are extremely wary of the consequences that may occur. In theory I would be better placed to start taking it in a controlled medical setting in order to monitor my reactions. A bed will try to be found for me however the pressure on the NHS is extreme and the likelihood of finding a hospital bed for this to happen within the next few months is small.

For now I am to increase the Levetiracetam (Keppra) again and keep a close diary on the effect it may of may not have on seizure frequency.

I will be seen again in 3 months if not before in an emergency. Onwards and upwards. 

Appointment and France

So I have an appointment with my neurologist tomorrow for the first time since I was discharged from a month long stay in the neuro specialist hospital a couple of months ago. I'm strangely nervous but feeling prepared with a barrage of questions ready for him to hopefully try to answer. I might get some test results back to,  as when I was in hospital they sent my blood for antibody testing to find if there might be a cause for my Epilepsy hidden away in them. 

That's tomorrow, Saturday I'm jetting off to the South of France to stay with my aunty and uncle who moved over there from the UK a few years ago :) I'm flying out with one set of my parents and staying for the week so I'm very excited for that! 

Hopefully not to many seizures will rear their ugly head and try to stamp out any enjoyment...

See you in a week or so! x