If I knew I wouldn't have one without the meds I wouldnt take them. The reason is because the Dr's hospitals and clinics get paid to keep us sick.. anyways hope you have a wonderful Sunday

Being able to go back in time and stop having epilepsy and stop taking meds is an extremely hard answer to make. I say that because having epilepsy has had both negative effects and positive effects on my development of life. The positive effects it had was pulled me away from a group of friends in my teens who I found most turned to be drug addicts, in jail, or dead. Also since I needed brain surgery that helped me not only with decreasing seizure count and after effects of my seizures but also saved my life about 20 yrs after 1st surgery. Did that after being hit by a car putting me in a coma with bleeding of the brain. Doc told me after I came out of the coma if I didn't have a lobectomy I'd be comatose for life. Since I had an area of brain removed blood had area to drain and relief pressure being put on the brain. The negative effects it had on my life is it decreased my memory preventing me from a success I believe I would have been able to succeed. It also had a dramatic effect on my in-person social life. Since the 2 friends and fiance I had since 2000 one friend had died the other moved to another state. For the fiance, I met at a school for disabled I went to, I caught her cheating on me. Also, being unable to drive I can't go see anybody. That's including family I do associate with like lil bro and sis, mom, and my 4 yr. old niece. Also feel I have nowhere to go since I know nobody in the city. I guess I stick with the way things are now having epilepsy. I say that because I know how this is and may change for a positive
prospect in the future!

The doctors of today are simply seeing far too many patients. Two epileptics can be so similar or so very different. Very, very different.

Brain surgery was nog an option in the 60's. When I was @ Washington Univ. Med School / med center (80's & 90's) 1 of my MD friends told me he would cut out the focus if I wanted. I told him I'll not let anyone cut into my head while I'm alive. I don't want want taking something that can't be replaced. Others don't have that option

I just simply would not have a quick reply. Half the reason I decided to go through with the surgery (20 years ago) was the fact that if I had been told that I had already done so, then I would have believed them. If they said it occurred in the ‘90s. Not the ‘80s, then I’d think they were crazy. I started the medication in the early ‘90s, and since then the side effects have truly hit me hard. Memory especially. I might have waited til starting meds in my ‘20s. Definitely would have considered doing so if I got a preview of the side effects.