Medical Marijuana and Reminder about Mayo Clinic Webinar

A hot topic in epilepsy research these days is in medical marijuana.  There have been anecdotal reports that marijuana has helped certain patients with severe forms of epilepsy, in particular, a childhood epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. 

Support for medical marijuana research has been erratic because

Mayo Clinic Webinar—Pediatric Epilepsy Treatment Options

The Mayo Clinic will host a webinar about pediatric epilepsy treatment options on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 12:00 Noon Central Time (1:00 pm Eastern, 10:00 am Pacific, 5:00 pm UTC/GMT).

If you are interested, here is the website to register: http://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pediatric-epilepsy-treatment-options/ 

I hope it will be helpful. 

Surgery Options for Epilepsy

On Friday, I went to the epilepsy support group meeting of the Epilepsy Support Network of Orange County.  We had an excellent speaker,Dr. Mary Zupanc, pediatric epileptologist of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and University of California—Irvine.  She talked about new surgery options for epilepsy. 

Effects of Epilepsy on the Body—Seizures and Side Effects Infographic

Here is a useful, interactive chart about the effects of epilepsy on the body.  It defines the different kinds of seizures as well as describes the most common side effects in a simple, straightforward manner.

http://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy/effects-on-body

Thanks to Maggie Danhakl of Healthline Networks, Inc.

9/11 The Military and Epilepsy

Memorial From World Trade Center Tower 1

It’s the thirteenth anniversary of 9/11—the World Trade Center bombings in 2001.  This is when we officially started the War Against Terrorism.  Since then, our military has been on high alert. Our troops have been deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan.  They have done tours all over the world at a moments’ notice. 

Catch-22

I think I speak for everyone affected with epilepsy when I say that it is unwanted.

We don’t want seizures.  They are annoying and painful.

They make us DIFFERENT.  However, people with epilepsy should not be ashamed.  They do not deserve the discrimination they often encounter.  In this way, we are much like other minority groups.  There is a difference, however.  For us,

A Testimonial to Fundraising

I recently read a disturbing article by Felix Salmon from Slate that argued against donating to, as he called them, “disease-specific charities.”  This was in response to the “ice bucket challenge” to raise money for ALS.  I have to admit, the idea of pouring a bucket of ice water over your head doesn’t seem to be the best thing to do to raise money.  Especially since it wastes water during this time of drought in California.  Nevertheless, the concept is unique and has made people pay attention to the disease as no one had before.

Mr. Salmon speaks primarily in terms of ALS.  However, his statements have

Useful Links--Epilepsy 101 and Best Books list

If you are new to epilepsy or if you want a refresher about what it is and all the types of seizures, treatment options, and first aid, among other things, this is the place to start.  Epilepsy101 from the Epilepsy Foundation of America website provides detailed, understandable, and practical information for those affected by this disorder. 

Also, here is a Comprehensive Best Book List, courtesy of Phylis Feiner Johnson of Epilepsy Talk blog.  It has books for people of all ages.  Well-researched, this is an excellent resource for people to open a discussion about epilepsy.