Epilepsy

I’ve been mostly quiet about this topic so far, because I wasn’t convinced it was accurate. I was diagnosed, on the 7th of January, with a seizure disorder. Back in late October, I had an automobile accident. The accident was a result of an apparent syncope episode while I was behind the wheel. That, combined with a several month pattern of recurring muscle spasms, not helped by muscle relaxers, led my GP to refer me to a neurologist. I saw him on the 6th. We spoke for about 30 minutes about my concerns. He ordered an EEG that same day.

The next evening, he called me and told me that they’d seen an abnormality in my EEG results. He referred to it as a “spike in the left frontal lobe” lead of the EEG. Based on that result, and the issues we had discussed, he immediately prescribed an anti-seizure medication for me. Because I use a mail order pharmacy, it was the 14th before I received that prescription. I am to take the medication twice daily. I’ve been taking it since bedtime on the 14th. One of the known side effects is drowsiness. I’ve been on it for just over two weeks, and I’m finally beginning to be mostly able to stay awake during the day. The frequency, and severity, of the “spasms” has been greatly reduced, so I guess I should go ahead and accept the diagnosis.

Of particular interest to the people following my trans journey: You may remember that, for reasons, I’ve not changed my name legally to Janet. Therefore all of my medical records are still in my deadname. That said, the hospital system that my doctors are all part of records preferred name and gender as part of the record. I was pleasantly surprised that the new doctor’s staff and office were fully aware of what to call me. Check-in was no issue. Nurse that took my vitals was pleasant and respectful.

The EEG tech blew it on pronouns, but was immediately corrected by the doctor, who had just come in to see if that was underway yet, and to let me know what would happen next. I was sitting there bald, with no wig, so I can’t blame the tech really. I was in top and skirt, and I do have boobs, so maybe blame the tech a little bit.

There is an MRI scheduled for 8th of February. As it happens, I also see the endocrinologist at the Gender Clinic that same day. I had scheduled that a couple of months ago because my GP was not comfortable making some changes I wanted to my HRT regimen.

Tags: epilepsy