I am an Epileptic.

[AstroParticipant 2045]

Aug/30/2018~2:00AM: While driving my bus, I had an aneurism due to an AVM in my brain. It was not a full rupture and I was able to pull the bus over. I have had five major seizures in the last year lasting more than 30 minutes each, I also had gamma-knife surgery in February. I was reduced to working at McDonalds part-time and was starting my day there when I had my last one Friday, I got out of the hospital yesterday.

When my cheating wife and I separated the day after Christmas, 2014, I was close to suicide and it took me a year begin to recover. In fact, I drove you guys crazy over it. Yet this seizure shows I am out of it because in my early stage of seizure, I was screaming “Lord help me”, according to my friend. Time to toughen-up, buttercup. By the time I arrived at the ER, I had foam coming out of my mouth and the medical team wondered if I was dead. I suspect that I am prone to SUDEP. I really need to get these seizures under control!

Epileptics not in control have good reason to get depressed. Our unemployment is as high as 75%. It isn’t easy when one loses their livelihood, is reduced to working part-time at McDonalds and then does the “Horizontal Jitterbug” there as well. I used to drive the biggest trucks and now, I can’t drive my own car. If you are not Epileptic or do not have/have had someone close with epilepsy, you do not know how destructive this brain disorder is.

I only live with Oscar, my Dachshund and while that might be my downfall during a final seizure, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yet I also need to talk to others and that is why I am here. I’m not in any pain, so I should see myself as fortunate. Enjoy life, don’t let some woman ruin it for you but make the best of it with what you have even if you are living on the street. That is what I hope to do from now on.

[iMickey503Participant 12465]

sure hope you are on Disability. And that you get into a program or home that takes care of you and your Dog. This should be a lesson to all that you are only your mind. Lose that, your body follows. Plan ahead, and don’t think anyone has your back.

All you have is you. Astro proves this and should be a lesson for all.

You are all alone. If you have been falsely accused of RAPE, DV, PLEASE let all men know about the people who did this. http://register-her.net/web/guest/home

[AstroParticipant 2045]

iMickey503 wrote:

sure hope you are on Disability.

Unfortunately, SSI/SSDI turned me down but I hear they almost always do the first time and often the second time. I have a lawyer working on it. I paid into the system all my life but the government would rather give that money to those who didn’t pay squat into it. I am also a 12 year USN/USNR veteran but Veterans Disability said “Pre-existing condition, not our problem, f~~~ you very much”. However, VA Health finally pulled through after I wound up thousands of dollars in debt. Should you find yourself in my situation, this is what many of us have to look forward to. All one can do is pick oneself up again and again or give up. The suicide rate among epileptics with uncontrolled seizures is five times higher than average and I’m NOT going to be one of them, even if SUDEP kills me! Screw that, it’s time for me to go for at least a s~~~ty retirement if I can’t work anymore. I’m only 56, I thought I could go a few more years but I can’t. The long hours driving, the stress from two marriages, the nights off having a few all made me old before I should be. Yes, I made mistakes but I never asked to be born with an AVM in my brain. I didn’t even know about it till a year ago.

[AstroParticipant 2045]

Brain problem: My wife and I separated the day after Christmas, 2016, not 2014.

[iMickey503Participant 12465]

Here is some REAL help. Write this down, or PRINT THIS OUT>

GO TO THE DAV
If not EMAIL THEM OR CALL THEM.
HERE IS THE CONTACT INFO AND NUMBER
DAV Department Service Office
Full-Time Employee

American Lake
VA Medical Center
Bldg. 16 — Room 103
9600 Veterans Drive
Tacoma, WA 98493

253-583-1303

Now, when you go in, you want to file for a NON SERVICE CONNECTED disability. This will give you about $1000 bucks a month of the bat. You can still file for Social security as well. But please check with your DAV Rep first.

If you do not have the DAV on your side, then you should.

Also, there are VETERANS HOMES that will take you in. Cost you nothing as well. If you want a fast way in, seems like you have a drinking problem…. OR A DRUG PROBLEM. IF YOU DO??? Then get into their treatment program. They give you a nice place on campus to live and they got GREAT FOOD! They will provide you with whatever you need in that program and it is a FAST WAY IN to get the care you need.

Next, You said that you did own a home. Well, there are programs to protect you once you become disabled. Even though you do not have a service connected disability (I am sure you do, you just were not evaluated for it like most since VETS don’t really whine like most others) , they will pay for your transportation, and a bunch of other things you can use with your VA Medical Benefits.

If you have trouble walking for instance, they will give you a free grant of money that you can use as needed to make your home accessible. This will pay for the cost to get ramps put in, rails in the bathroom etc.

Like it or not, you really need to stay focused on your care. It is ALL up to you. But the DAV WILL HELP YOU! I am a member. And we take care of each other. But only if YOU GO THERE. BE NICE LIKE YOU WERE TRYING TO GET LAID.. Keep that mindset, be sincere, be polite, and let them know ALL THAT AILS YOU.

You at least will have a better life them some people. JUST DO NOT BURN YOUR BRIDGES and ASK if you can also volunteer. Other vets have the same issues as you. STICK TOGETHER. Get REAL PEOPLE around you that will also see that it is better to work as a team to take care of each other so you are not alone.

If you really need help, I will see what I can do. You are only about 140 miles away from me. So if you REALLY can’t get any help up there. I will see what I can do to at least get the ball rolling for you, or have the VA assaign you a case worker to get you on your feet.

There is also a VA resource center that the DAV up there will know about. You also can still use your GI BILL. That alone in Seattle will net you 2300 a month. Make sure to get half time as you are mentally not capable of full time school. FOt to run talk soon.

You are all alone. If you have been falsely accused of RAPE, DV, PLEASE let all men know about the people who did this. http://register-her.net/web/guest/home

[AstroParticipant 2045]

First, I am going to get a new phone. I sweat so profusely during Friday’s 16/Aug/19 seizure that I ruined it. That was my 4-5th major seizure within a year and mine can last over 30 minutes. According to my friend, the ER staff thought I was DOA and for all I know, I was. I posted more about it in “Health & Fitness”. This old sailor had his times but I also once went sober for seven years. I don’t see myself as a full blown “Alcoholic” but I don’t need to be, I don’t even need to get loaded. All I need is a couple of beers and perhaps forget my medication or not get enough sleep and I face a >30 minute seizure the next day and wake up on a hospital bed. Beer is the #3 trigger of a Tonic/Clonic, it’s not required. I know I can give it up and I am but I have to do more than that. If I forget my medication and/or don’t get enough sleep, I’m just as screwed the next day. So if I have insomnia and have to get up early for work: Good morning, go to work, OOPS!

My nearest DAV-Rep is 180mi driving distance, I will have a hard time getting there as I am no longer allowed to drive due to the seizures. Will they give me a ride for that distance? Man, I went to the local VA resource center and even a Senator at the state level when he was running for office. All I heard from VA resource was “Previous Condition, not our problem”, nothing about Non-Service Connected Disability. Well it’s MY problem! I didn’t ask to be born with an AVM in my brain. I didn’t apply for the GI Bill when I was in and perhaps I should have. All VA will do is pay for my medical care and medication, which I appreciate but no check.

iMickey503 wrote:

Like it or not, you really need to stay focused on your care. It is ALL up to you. But the DAV WILL HELP YOU! I am a member. And we take care of each other. But only if YOU GO THERE. BE NICE LIKE YOU WERE TRYING TO GET LAID.. Keep that mindset, be sincere, be polite, and let them know ALL THAT AILS YOU.

I have had more than my share of “Humble Pie” in the last year. I am asking for any help you are willing to give and I will do what I can to earn my way. A bit of labor, cooking, whatever, if it is local. I was a dietary cook in a USNR corpsman unit.

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