Janet Lee- Her Life With Epilepsy -

Epilepsy comes in various forms and affects every individual differently

Facts about epilepsy

that is part of Janet’s life

Did You Know ………

• Epilepsy affects 65 million people worldwide?

• The prevalence of epilepsy is greater than the autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s combined?

• Epilepsy most often strikes the very young and the very old?

• Janet had her first seizure when she was 8 months and diagnosed as epileptic at 18 months

Did You Know ………

• 30-40% of people with epilepsy are severely affected and continue to have seizures despite treatment?

• Janet has tried: Rivotril, Epilim, Tegretol, Lamotrigine, Clonazepam, Topamax, Trileptal, Keppra, Clobazam, acupuncture, Chinese and western medical treatment, lingzhi etc etc

• Seizures were less when she was an infant (approximately 1 attack every 2-3 months) but increased drastically when she reached puberty 2-3 attacks per month to every 3-5 or 7 days 1 attack

Did You Know ………

• 1 in 3 individuals with epilepsy have unacceptable side effects from the medications used to control their seizures?

• Janet’s productivity at any 1 time is only 2 hours and she still needs to take a nap for 2-3 hours in the afternoon

• Though she longs to prolong her productive hours and would continue with her task, she is unable to sustain the quality due to the side effects from her medication

Did You Know ………

• In the developing regions of the world, three fourths of affected individuals do not get the treatment they need?

• Zonegran, for example, was available in Japan as Exergran in 1989 and marketed in The States as Zonegran in year 2000 but only available in Malaysia since 2013

Did You Know ………

• Approximately 29% of individuals with epilepsy have a major depressive disorder?

• Epilepsy, coupled with learning difficulties, hindered Janet from:

- being accepted by her peers- doing many outdoor activitiesfor fear that she would get anattack and injure herself

• Janet had to seek psychiatric help when she was 14 years old as she was suffering from emotional breakdown

Did You Know ………

• On the average, the risk of suicide in patients with epilepsy is about 13%. The prevalence is 5-10 times more than that in the general population?

• With God’s blessings plus support and encouragement from all who came to know her, she is now looking forward to a brighter future

Janet’s Life Storyhttp://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Viewpoints/Beyond-

Barriers/Profile/Articles/2014/09/11/Beyond-Barriers-A-lotus-in-our-midst/

Thank You All For Your Support!!!

and do keep a look out for her next upload