As adults, most of us know there is a variety of issues that co-exists with cerebral palsy. With each case being different similarities are also different to some extent. One of these issues some of us contend with is epilepsy better known as a seizure disorder. Are you one of the 40 to 45% of adults or children that fight with seizures?
It is a proven fact that “40 to 45% of children/ adults deal with a seizure disorder. ” I say adults because us “children” do not stay children as articles make us out to be, adults with cp are not mentioned much. But, some of us children do not outgrow seizure disorders. https://cprn.org/cerebral-palsy-epilepsy/#:~:text=Approximately%2040%2D45%25%20of%20people,sensations%20or%20states%20of%20awareness.
How do you contend with epilepsy? Some may ask is there a different between a seizure disorder and epilepsy? The answer is yes. Anyone disabled or not can have a seizure for any known or unknown reason, it is only when a person or child has more than one seizure, they are diagnosed with epilepsy.
In most cerebral palsy cases it is caused from brain damage caused by the cp that results in a seizure disorder. There are different types of seizures in both children and adults. For example when I was a child I had grand-mal seizures and as I became an adult the seizures turned or changed to petit-mal seizures. In my unique situation it was quite frustrating because, I got put on a medication that stopped my seizures when I was in high school and I was seizure free for 6 years, then, I got pregnant with my oldest son and the seizures came back full force. After he was born and my hormones went back to normal as I like to say the seizures stopped again, until I got pregnant with my youngest son and sadly to say they never left. Instead they changed to partial petit-mal seizures . It has been a very frustrating roller-coaster ride to say the least.
I have found personally that there are a lot of factors that can and do factor into having seizures change over time. What do I mean you might be asking yourself. My personal experience is hormone changes had, I believe, a part to play in my seizures changing. I also ended up having a hysterectomy which, yet again changed my body chemistry and yet again getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and fighting with high blood sugar had once again effected the body chemistry. I being curious of why my disorder changed asked my doctor and she explained to me that seizures will change over time. Very interesting I thought. So do not be surprised if your seizures change over time.
It is however still a puzzle to me why some cerebral palsy adults/children have epilepsy and some do not, because everyone of us have some degree of a brain injury. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/causes.html#:~:text=CP%20related%20to%20abnormal%20development,%25%E2%80%9390%25)%20is%20congenital.
The referenced article mentions there are 80 to 90% of some form of brain related injury or damage in c.p. patients. That is a lot. It is still yet a mystery. How do you control your seizures or epilepsy? Some are controlled by medication and some by devices along with medication therapy, devices such as the vns stimulator or also, known, as the vegas nerve stimulator. Basically for those unfamiliar with this device it is shock therapy to help control out of control seizures one may experience. Speaking from experience I have been on a lot of meds that simply did not work or they got immune to my system. It takes a lot of trial and error when it comes to finding the right medication but it can be done. https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2015/2/what-vagus-nerve-stimulation
Keep in mind not all seizures nor epilepsy is caused from cp. There are other causes as well. As I mentioned some reasons for seizures are known some are not. Seizure disorders can also be caused by or cause underlying conditions such as low-blood sugar can cause someone to seize. In some cases seizures can lead to heart issues. Every case is different so, do not compare yourself to others, rather inform yourself on the disorder. As I always say knowledge is key. By doing research and finding the right doctor to treat the condition, which, could take awhile to do, epilepsy can be treated. Keep in mind there is never anything wrong with getting a second opinion or if something does not feel right shop around and find the right doctor for you.
Do not feel bad if you or the child feels wore out or tired. Family and caregivers alike need to realize that seizures take a toll on the body physically, mentally and emotionally. We experience weird stuff that our loved ones may not realize, such as dizziness, sleepiness, feeling nauseous, feeling foggy and what is real frustrating for me is I can feel every movement and I can hear people talking to me and Im not always able to respond to them. It is important to have an emergency plan for family, friends and care-givers. Its good to go over the plan and have it written out so everyone understands there part or the actions that are to take place.
I hope you all found this helpful. It is important to do your homework and research this for yourself and take the best action for you as an individual. Ask questions, seek answers til you get them and remember there is no such thing as a stupid question so if you have questions ask away. Until next time have a blessed day. happy reading & listening everyone!
Living w/ cerebral palsy 
Hi! I have some big differences in epilepsy because I have to also work on cerebral palsy. I had epilepsy once when my allergies got out of control when going to jail and didn’t get allergy meds from there at the end. when I didn’t get them, my 1st thoughts were to find a way to use sugar or syrup to keep going. I was working in the kitchen detail going around before everyone eats by putting silverware down and napkins. Well after a while, there is this epileptic attack I believe from my body going down & then coming back up as I was at my bed & this just started to happen. I was taken to the jail’s medical ward & then sent to emergency afterwards to get a medication that settled my epileptic attacks down. This medication is not given all the time as it is described as an addictive drug. I used it as I had no other choice in the hospital & then finally after settled down, I was able to get my allergy meds taken to control my chronic allergies I have then & now. I also want to say that cerebral palsy and any other ailment that anyone has is not easy to get away from as you grow older. It will bite back because the body loses more and more as you age, so learning what to take or even finding natural or nutritional values using a nutritionist could help a lot in what you go through. I hope this helps you as you go through life, my friend. Please be aware that your body needs a balancing that each & every ailment comes from if not balanced in nutrition. I learned it from losing my parents & not having anyone else to help me. The internet helps a lot, but so do nutritionists after seeing the doctor. Ask & you will find them! Have a good day and the days after!
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Thank you for your comment it’s important to remember everyone is different so what works on some may not work on others. I believe information is key so the more information we can get out there it may help someone else.
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