Epileptic

hopper1

I know nothing about epilepsy, but thought I'd just express my commiserations for your uncle.
I can only hope that it can be controlled by medication.
I'd be gutted if I couldn't ride anymore.

skyd0g

Without knowing the details of your uncles condition, it is difficult to offer advice. However, I would think that being aware of situations & potential 'triggers' that he should still be able to ride. I would have thought that the most important thing is that when he rides, he rides with a partner (ie you) who can keep an eye on him.

Hopefully with appropriate medication and a watchful eye from his riding partner, this will not reduce his riding enjoyment or ability.

keef66

That's how my bike got nicked. Mate was diagnosed with epilepsy. It only happened at night, but still they took his driving licence away for a while. Lent him the bike so he could get from his house to the bus stop to get to work. Some tw@t nicked it.

He went 2 years symptom free so he got his licence back. I never saw the bike again.


Nother mate was member of a cycling club in his youth; had fond memories of a big lad who would invariably get to the front in a bunch sprint, then go down like a fridge taking half the field out. Turned out he was epileptic, and they had to stop him racing. That was nearly 40 years ago though; maybe medication has come on since then.

davelakers

My wife is epilletic and has been since her teens. With regular medication it is under control and she doesnt have fits and can drive and live normally. I think the major problem is that it takes time to find out which drug or combination of drugs controls it, and until you have been fit free for a couple of years then your life can be on hold somewhat.

jrduquemin

My cousin suffers from epilepsy and has done most of his life. He went nearly 2 years without a seizure and then had a massive fit that put him in hospital. Unfortunately, he was unable to get his driving license because of that and had to give up work because of the frequency of the fits he suffers from now.

itchieritchie

Sorry to hear about your uncle.

I'm epileptic and cycle everywhere so maybe I can add something to this discussion.

There are some very useful comments here and I'd agree with a lot of what's been said.

Firstly, this condition is all about CONTROL. For years I had the wrong medication (Carbamazepine) and still suffered several absences a day. For the last 7 years or so, I've been on Epilim and it's just in a different league altogether. I feel healthy and more in control.

So the trick is to find the right medication for your uncle.

Also, there are different types of epilepsy. I have photosensitive epilepsy, which means I'm affected by contrasting light conditions, strobe lights and weirdly, stripes. I find it difficult going down escalators on the tube for example, and can't look at Venetian blinds.

I also don't have a driving license, but now that I've been seizure free for 4 years or so, I don't think this would be a problem if I wanted it.

The thing is that exercise has personally improved my epilepsy. I even completed my first Olympic distance triathlon last year. So I actually recommend cycling. But until your uncle knows exactly what he's dealing with and is confident in his medication, I would definitely keep an eye on him. If he has photosensitive epilepsy like me for example, then things like cycling past railings with sunlight filtering behind them should be avoided.

It's also important for people with epilepsy to avoid excess alcohol, get lots of regular sleep, avoid stress as much as possible and stay hydrated and well fed with small but regular meals. But then, isn't that a good recipe for anyone...??

There's no reason why your uncle should be restricted at all. Knowledge and control are the keys. He just has to make a few simple adjustments.

I'm fairly fit, certainly fitter than the majority of the English population, and it hasn't hampered me in the slightest. I commute on my singlespeed down the Euston Road daily and occasionally even catch a courier! Cycling liberates me and I hate having to catch the tube now. I'm looking forward to my next triathlon and likewise, your uncle can reach for whatever goals he chooses.

Good luck mate!

BigDarbs

itchieritchie wrote:

I'm epileptic and cycle everywhere so maybe I can add something to this discussion.

itchieritchie, your post did more than add something to the discussion, I think that is one of the most balanced, informative and useful posts I have ever seen on any forum on any subject. If every user of forums posted comments of that quality the net would be a very different place.

deptfordmarmoset

BigDarbs wrote:

itchieritchie wrote:

I'm epileptic and cycle everywhere so maybe I can add something to this discussion.

itchieritchie, your post did more than add something to the discussion, I think that is one of the most balanced, informative and useful posts I have ever seen on any forum on any subject. If every user of forums posted comments of that quality the net would be a very different place.

+1 When I read the post I thought ''this is how the web is meant to work.''

VinceEager

BigDarbs wrote:

itchieritchie wrote:

I'm epileptic and cycle everywhere so maybe I can add something to this discussion.

itchieritchie, your post did more than add something to the discussion, I think that is one of the most balanced, informative and useful posts I have ever seen on any forum on any subject. If every user of forums posted comments of that quality the net would be a very different place.

i was just thinking what a nice post that was

Pokerface

For a brief period of time I worked for British Cycling as the Disability Coordinator and am a disabled cyclist myself.

I race with several people that have epilepsy and can only echo itchieritchie's comments in saying that with the correct medication and preparation, there is no reason why your uncle should not be able to continue cycling and at an advanced level if that is his choice.

And ironically, I take an anti-epileptic medicine (Gabopentin) for pain management. Works wonders but knocks you on your arse. Hopefully he won't be on it!

Good luck to him.

jrduquemin

deptfordmarmoset wrote:

BigDarbs wrote:

itchieritchie wrote:

I'm epileptic and cycle everywhere so maybe I can add something to this discussion.

itchieritchie, your post did more than add something to the discussion, I think that is one of the most balanced, informative and useful posts I have ever seen on any forum on any subject. If every user of forums posted comments of that quality the net would be a very different place.

+1 When I read the post I thought ''this is how the web is meant to work.''

+1 Epic Win :-D

itchieritchie

Hello all,

only checking on this thread now after that last post of mine.

Thanks very much for all the REALLY kind comments. All warm and tingly inside now...!!

DJBARREN, I'm happy if your uncle is able to get something out of any of this. Fear of the unknown is natural, and when you are suddenly diagnosed with something that comes out of the blue, it's definitely unknown. Information really IS power though, especially where this is concerned.

Read up as much as you can on it. Thankfully we have the internet now so it's a bit easier than when I was first diagnosed.

I know that test your uncle did. It's called an EEG. When I tell you that you have an "aura" just before a seizure and that it feels like the devil himself is coming for you...and that this test is designed to INDUCE those feelings...well it's pointless describing it, but your uncle is a very brave man. Please tell him to keep a close eye on his medical records so he never has to repeat the experience. If you think I'm exaggerating, just ask him and he'll tell you.

If nobody has mentioned this already, then PLEASE tell him to avoid:

EXCESS ALCOHOL
SLEEP DEPRIVATION
STRESS
WATCHING TV TOO CLOSELY
VIDEO GAMES
STROBE LIGHTS
DEHYDRATION
STRIPES AND CERTAIN REPEATING PATTERNS WITH HIGH CONTRAST
VENETIAN BLINDS
ESCALATORS (my eyes are instantly drawn to them and my g/friend has to lift my chin up to stop me staring every time!)

(The last 3 are personal to me. Everybody is different but I also have photosensitive epilepsy so maybe this could help too.)

Like I said before though, as soon as you regain control, your life just returns to how it always was.

Cheers and PM me if you need anything else or you want to chat about anything.

:P