Becky - Interview 09
More about me...
Becky is 23 and was unemployed at the time of the interview. She was diagnosed at 15 after having a tonic clonic seizure completely out of the blue. At the moment her seizures are well controlled and Becky is on topiramate 100 mg daily.
She says epilepsy doesn't affect her life much at present. Becky makes sure she gets plenty of sleep to avoid seizures and sticks to her safe limits with alcohol. Earlier on, the seizures were also brought on by having her period so she now tricycles the pill and has her period only four times a year. Becky's partner is very supportive of her, especially after a seizure when she feels very upset.
Becky has read a lot of information about epilepsy out of her own initiative as she has not been given enough information otherwise. When she was younger she said she was frustrated with doctors who at clinic would talk past her to her parents. She says it's important for doctors not to regard young people as stupid and to give them proper information.
Becky and her parents are actively involved with the local Epilepsy Action support group in raising awareness about epilepsy. Becky says it is really important for support groups to realise that the same things won't interest an 18-year-old and a 68-year old and they should plan activities that genuinely interest young people and make them feel welcome to join.
Becky is just about to move abroad to do a course in teaching English. She said having epilepsy hasn't affected her decision to live abroad, she just makes sure she has proper health insurance cover.
Becky has been involved in fundraising, lobbying and awareness raising activities.
Becky has been involved in fundraising, lobbying and awareness raising activities.
Becky can totally rely on her partner. He often comes home from work if she has a seizure on her...
Becky can totally rely on her partner. He often comes home from work if she has a seizure on her...
If you're in a relationship with someone who'd be like, for example as I was talking about in a meeting before about people who we have at the epilepsy meetings before, people who would see me as a burden or someone who would be like, 'Oh, well we were gonna go out, but, Becky had a seizure so we couldn't make it and'' and stuff like that, that would be a nightmare. Or someone who, 'Ah, well I'm in trouble at work again now because I had to come home because Becky was ill.' And it's never like that, and it's never been like that and it's never been a factor. He always stays, if I'm ill he always stays with me and he'll bring, because we've got bed chairs, you see, little bed chairs, so obviously if I've had a seizure I'm always usually on the floor, so he'll bring in the bed chair and put me on the bed chair on the floor. And then just sit by me on the floor and he won't leave you know, so it's really good. It's always nice to know that.
The nurse was joking with Becky during her MRI.
The nurse was joking with Becky during her MRI.
Becky wants to visit her friend in Japan but doesn't feel confident about going on long-haul...
Becky wants to visit her friend in Japan but doesn't feel confident about going on long-haul...
Because Becky is more likely to have seizures during her period, her doctor advised her to...
Because Becky is more likely to have seizures during her period, her doctor advised her to...
Do you plan things like around the time of the day that, you wouldn't have anything important in the morning, or you would not travel around your period time, or do anything that would put you at more risk?
Not so much any more because now I tri-cycle my pill. So I don't have a period very often which was advised by my doctor, she sort of said to me you know if, they said to me if you were, if that's the risk, you know, if the risk is that you know it's more likely when you're on your period, just tri-cycle your pill, so you only have a period every three months, less risk of a seizure, makes perfect sense I suppose.
Becky fell asleep during the EEG and found the different tests quite exciting.
Becky fell asleep during the EEG and found the different tests quite exciting.
Becky got the diagnosis when she was 15 and she was happy she was not photosensitive and could...
Becky got the diagnosis when she was 15 and she was happy she was not photosensitive and could...
Two years after her diagnosis, Becky started having auras; a pain on the bridge of her nose. Her...
Two years after her diagnosis, Becky started having auras; a pain on the bridge of her nose. Her...
When Becky was at Uni it was sometimes difficult to keep up with others. There was something...
When Becky was at Uni it was sometimes difficult to keep up with others. There was something...
Becky's workmates have always been supportive and 'watch out' for her.
Becky's workmates have always been supportive and 'watch out' for her.
Becky had her first tonic-clonic seizure at home, out of the blue, building up to her mock exams.
Becky had her first tonic-clonic seizure at home, out of the blue, building up to her mock exams.
Becky feels disorientated, groggy and really upset after a seizure.
Becky feels disorientated, groggy and really upset after a seizure.
Becky says people have a right to know about all the risks related to their epilepsy, including...
Becky says people have a right to know about all the risks related to their epilepsy, including...
Becky was offered an antidepressant but she didn't accept them because her doctor couldn't tell...
Becky was offered an antidepressant but she didn't accept them because her doctor couldn't tell...
'Take them and see.' It's just something that you don't expect a doctor to say. It's like what about if they' 'Take them and see.' What about if I. I mean what if I'd taken them and they'd completely clashed with my medication and I'd had a seizure and fallen off a building somewhere you know? It's crazy.