To someone with epilepsy the best health is seizure free health. It doesn’t really matter what your dress size is or how big your muscles are. The most important point is how to stop that next seizure from happening!
After a week stay in Parkland Hospital my neurologist had some good information and a lot of pictures from my MRI’s. Good info yes, good news no. I’ll always remember the follow up meeting when my neurologist said, “Mark you have a good life, you can be a productive member of society, blah, blah, blah…” The year was 1993.
I didn’t agree with the doctor so hoping I could find a way to stop, or better control, my seizures I began to monitor and record everything from food intake, med type and frequency, emotional states, and at one point I even recorded the stages of the moon. This last one was something I started after reading an article on the possible correlation between moon stage and seizure activity. I guess now a new type of seizure will have to be named the Wolfileptic seizure. I was determined to improve my health so I could take bad health out of the “why I was having seizures” equation.
The first step to better health is to take a good, HONEST look at your present physical self. After making this observation, then decide how you want to feel and function in the future. Finally, get a plan of action to take you there.
So, what is good health? The triad of health consists of psychological/spiritual, chemical, and biomechanical. We are holistic beings composed of a mind, body and a soul. True health is balance and harmony in each of these areas of your being. When in poor health, you must utilize treatments in each of these three areas.
First, BE A QUITTER!
That’s right. Be a quitter. Quit smoking, drinking, eating junk food, and anything else that is diminishing your ability to be at your peak performance every day. If you can, and you can, quit now! Right now!
A disciplined approach needs to be taken in order to eliminate all causes of seizures but what you will find even more difficult than following a regimen is not imposing it on others! My family and friends grew tired of my constant nagging about cigarette smoke, my maniacal adherence to eating and going to bed at a specific time. I alienated a lot of people through the years but with the help of God I now have my life back. Many of them loved me from a distance. You may have to do that to some of your friends and family that can’t accept what you need to do to get your health back.
Now, get a notebook, it can be a pocket sized one if you want, and write down everything you eat and ingest for the week. Don’t try and do it by memory alone.
If you have active epilepsy, look at your surroundings at work and at home. Do you take sinus medication or any over the counter medicines? Do you have seizures at any certain areas in your home? If you work in an office do you have fluorescent lighting or work around a lot of computers? If you had an argument with or made love to your spouse write it down. If you are constipated make it a point to write it down and then make it a point to get un-constipated and do you what you need to do to stay regular. Write down EVERYTHING.
Next, buy a calendar or make one large enough to record what you eat, the meds you take, the vitamins you take, when you go to the bathroom… I’m not kidding about going to the bathroom.
As of this writing you can find a calendar specifically for people with epilepsy at:
I made my own because I wanted it big enough to record everything I ate, did, and experienced.
I kept the calendar on my refrigerator and would keep all that information and more and kept a red pen handy to record when I had my seizures. By doing this I could see what may be causing my seizures. If you have inactive epilepsy or are just wanting to get in better shape this will work for you too.
Now that you know what you’ve been eating and putting into your body you now have a place to record what you need to start eating and putting into your body.
I could write a book on this subject and still not be able to address the many variables behind a person with epilepsy getting and keeping a job.There is the question of how active is the persons epilepsy.By that I mean is the person still having seizures. Are the seizures controllable when they are on the job, how much do they affect that person’s coordination and cognitive abilities?What is the person’s recovery time after having a seizure that they are able to perform their job?What type of seizures are they having?What does the job require them do and can they do it? Some of the most common concerns a potential employer has during the interview process are:
Does the person have the training, skills, or on-the-job experience needed
Does the person have adequate transportation
What is the attitude of other employees towards epilepsy
Concerns about the liability or missed work.
A customer seeing someone having a seizure.
Extra costs of accomadating a person with epilepsy
In a perfect world the only time a potential employee’s epilepsy should be relevant to the hiring decision is in a case where seizures on the job would endanger the person’s or the public’s well‐being.However most employers are ignorant about the myths and facts of epilepsy so everything becomes a reason to not to hire the person with epilepsy. Even though many employers know it’s illegal to discriminate against people with epilepsy they still do it.
Some things that may help getting a job are having a friend who owns a business or a business owner that knows you or a family member that will vouch for you.If possible, network in person, on Facebook, in your local epilepsy group, or at church. If you live in the country your chances of getting a job is a question that is easily answered unless you can do the job remotely.Something possible for some people is to build business on the internet, find a good company that has an affiliate program and grow it to a point of it generating an income large enough to support them and their family.These options will take several months or years to accomplish.
It’s a terrible feeling to have active epilepsy but when you need to earn a living it can be a horrific and terrifying feeling.I know that most adults with active epilepsy want to work.Given the chance they can be productive at full and part-time jobs.Surveys show that unemployment rates among people with epilepsy are higher than for the general population.I feel the current number is higher and will continue to grow. President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA of 1990, which listed epilepsy as a protected disability. The ADA applies to government employers or contractors, educational institutions and private businesses with over 15 employees but the fact is that more jobs are available with companies that have 15 or less employees. Knowing this, should you disclose your epilepsy on a job application? Generally, the answer is still no. In my experience and that of others it’s at that at point the interview is probably over or the decision to not hire the person is made.It is not legal for an employer to ask about disabilities, medical conditions or what medications you are taking however, they are allowed to ask whether you have any conditions that would prevent you from fulfilling the duties of the job, and if you do, you should answer honestly. If you do get the job you’ll need to decide whether or not to let your coworkers, supervisor or human resources department know about your seizures.If you decide to be open and tell them you need to also educate them on what epilepsy is and isn’t and what to do if you should ever have a seizure on the job.Your attitude will go a long way in putting them at ease.
The ADA says that the company must attempt to make reasonable accommodations for you however that won’t apply to companies that don’t qualify as one that needs to do so.Some of the accomadiotns that can be made are placing the person in another position in the company that would be less problematic for that person, can they be excused from overtime if missing sleep provokes seizures.
If you have been unfairly treated on the job because of epilepsy, you have at least three levels of recourse.The first and best option is to attempt to work the problem out within the company. Second, you can contact your regional Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which you can find by visiting their website at www.eeoc.gov. The EEOC will hear your story and decide whether to pursue it on your behalf at no charge. If they take your case, they may communicate with your employer or pursue legal action. The third option is to hire an employment discrimination attorney. While options 2 and 3 may be successful, it also can be expensive and get you black-balled from the job market.No employer will admit that their decision to not hire you was based on the fact you took legal action against your last employer for job discrimination.No matter the job, people with epilepsy must want to work and be able to perform their job.
Most people with epilepsy are capable of having fulfilling jobs. If you have epilepsy, you may have to make an extra effort to get and keep a good job in spite of some difficulties. However, the chances are good that you can succeed.
If you’re actively pursuing employment you need to do a few things to help you accomplish your goal.First, honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses. What jobs or careers are you qualified for and able to get to? You might benefit from seeing a vocational counselor who has experience working with people who have epilepsy.Your city or local public service groups may offer transportation for people who can’t drive. Social workers or job counselors may be able to tell you what is available in your area.
If moving is a possibility, you can look for a place to live that’s convenient to public transportation—and give priority to jobs that are also close to public transport. Or look for housing and jobs within an easy walk of each other! You may even be able to find a good job you can do at home.
So what’s an aura? An aura is a distinct perception –- either visual, motor, sensory, or psychological –- felt around the time a seizure occurs. Although an aura may signal a seizure because it usually happens a few seconds before a seizure occurs, an aura and a seizure may be separated by as much as an hour. Auras are not experienced with all types of seizures. They are mostly seen in individuals who suffer from complex or generalized seizures. Additionally, auras vary from person to person, and can manifest in a number of ways:
Vision – includes distortion of images, seeing bring flashes of light or dark spots, or tunnel vision.
Smell – certain smells may be experienced during an aura.
Hearing – certain sounds or voices, or a distortion of sounds that are already present, may occur during an aura.
Feeling an impending sense of doom, anxiety, or fear.
Nausea
Weakness, numbness, or tingling of a limb or limbs.
An aura is usually consistent in the person experiencing it. For instance,
if a person is seeing flashes of light before he has a seizure, this
aura will be somewhat similar each time before that person has a
seizure.
While auras can be helpful in signaling to the individual that he is about to
have a seizure and needs to be in a safe place, they can also help
healthcare providers pinpoint the area of the brain where the seizure is
originating.
That being said, do you know if you have one? How in touch are you with
what your body is telling you? I used to own a very handsome Golden
Retriever that could tell if I was about to have a seizure. That was so
cool. I didn’t know he had that gift of knowing when I was going to
have one until the day I had a grand mal seizure while mowing my back
yard. He was walking beside me as I was pushing the mower and he
started pulling on my pants with his teeth. I didn’t catch on to what
he was doing until I went into a full blown generalized tonic-clonic
seizure. What I remember next was him lying next to me licking my face
very lightly. He became my constant companion after that. It may be
not possible for most people but having a dog like that for the person
with epilepsy, or the caretaker of that person so if not get in touch
with your body and start to to recognize the subtle changes that may be
the precursor, or aura, you need to tell you a seizure is coming. I
started to keep a detailed diary of foods I ate, liquids I drank, and on
it went so I could develop a list of what may, or would, cause a
seizure. What’s happening now is I start sniffing like my nose is
running or I’m trying to catch the sent of good smelling cake cooking.
You may have an aura right before a seizure or several minutes before
having one. Whatever it is get to know where you recognize it.
If you don’t already, a good place to get one is: http://seizurediary.org/ .
I saw this story this morning and wanted to pass it on. It shows that epilepsy is a condition that is starting to be recognized on a global scale. One thing, I don’t agree with, the title – It should read People with Epilepsy need more support. It’s only a few words but it can make a huge difference!
Here’s the article:
By Times Reporter
FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba-Sata has called for increased support, care and medications to people living with epilepsy in Zambia.
And the Epilepsy Association of Zambia has bestowed Dr Kaseba as patron of the association taking over from former first lady Thandiwe Banda.
Speaking in Lusaka yesterday when she officiated at the commemoration of the Seizure- Free Day, Dr Kaseba said it was the responsibility of every individual, families and communities to support everybody living with epilepsy.
“The starting point to realise is that epilepsy is with us and will be among us for some time to come. We need to put in strategies to support epilepsy programmes and ensure that people with epilepsy benefit and become seizure-free,” she said.
The event was held under the theme; ‘No Seizures And Living Well’ which encouraged people with epilepsy to be adherent to their medication.
Dr Kaseba said the myths and misconceptions about epilepsy had also proved to be of greater hindrance to its management.
In the African setting, she said, the prejudice and beliefs in supernatural causes and use of traditional methods of treatment had been adduced to contribute to the underutilisation of health facilities that could adequately diagnose and treat epilepsy.
“We need to change our attitudes and perception of people living with the disease.We all need to participate in the evaluation of care and advocacy to reduce stigma attached to the condition,” she said.
The negative attitude that people with epilepsy should not be employed because epilepsy was not seen as a normal medical condition but a mental disorder should be removed. She said total elimination of discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and also for zero discrimination against people living with epilepsy was necessary.
She said care should not be left to health professionals alone but extended by several stakeholders in provision of employment, education and health care to epileptic patients.
The first lady said epilepsy was one of the serious non-communicable diseases of a social global dimension affecting all races and knew no geographical boundaries.
She said according to last data, there were more than 80,000 people with epilepsy in Zambia and she called for all citizens to be of assistance to epileptic patients.
Speaking at the same occasion, World Health Organisation country director Olusegun Babaniyi said his organisation would continue to support the Government in areas of providing quality treatment to epileptic patients.
Ministry of Health representative Elizabeth Chizema said plans were underway by the ministry to establish a clinic to offer treatment on epilepsy in strategic health centres.
She said the ministry was committed to helping address challenges of epilepsy and would continue supporting the cause.
It has long been known that some inflammatory diseases can affect that brain and cause seizures. There is now increasing evidence that inflammation in the central nervous system may be involved in both creating seizures foci (the process of epileptogenesis) as well as maintaining them over time, even in patients without underlying inflammatory disease. This evidence derives from both animal models and from examining tissue removed from seizure foci in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery. For example, in animal models in which a seizure focus has been created, there is an increase in inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, and specifically a cytokine called IL 1B. Also, around an area where a seizure focus has developed, inflammatory cells such as reactive microglia can accumulate. Inflammation can precede the development of seizures, and also occurs after each seizure. Now there is evidence from animal models of epilepsy that this type of inflammatory mediators, and specifically IL 1B, can actually calm the inflammation, and seems to reduce or eliminate seizures in some animal models. At the NYU Epilepsy Center, we have begun to explore whether similar types of inflammation occur in human seizure foci. There is already good evidence for inflammation in some types of epilepsy, most notably temporal lobe epilepsy and epilepsy associated with Tuberous Sclerosis. Inflammatory cells are seen close to the seizure onset zone in tissue resected from patients with uncontrolled seizures, and diminishes in areas not involved in seizure generation.
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The Nopal cactus has been called a superfruit because its powerful antioxidant betalains have been known to boost the health and well-being of all who drink in its powers. For thousands of years, Ancients in the Sonoran Desert have known about the powerful benefits of the Nopal Cactus. Now with Nopalea, you too can experience the multiple health benefits.
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How is Nopalea different from other Superfruit concentrates products?
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What kind of scientific research has been done on Nopal cactus?
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In traditional MLM, you have to talk to friends, family, and neighbors; get your own customers, and FOLLOW UP WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS. Traditional MLM is an unhealthy business model because your customer base is usually your distributor base, or your group, and if they go your volume goes and YEP, your money goes with them. Also, there are a couple of four letter words that most people hate or don’t have, or both, and one is spelled work and the other is spelled time and that is what it takes to build a large MLM organization.
How does Cooperative Marketing take care of all that?
Cooperative Marketing is a business where you work with another established business
to sell and market to new and existing customers. Imagine having new customers added to your organization every month. Until recently TriVita’s focus was on building a
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your chance to be in this phenomenal business.
The beauty of this business is YOU choose how you want to build it. You can let this
business slowly build or you can jumpstart it. Some have joined and focused on
customers and others have joined and focused on customers and building a team.
