Adults with absence seizures

I am in my 30s. I have had absence seizures since I was a child. The only thing that has ever tiggered them for me though is lighting. As a kid it was harsh florescent and strobe lights. But now everything is LED, and they flicker at a much higher rate, that it causes my brian to glitch everywhere I go. No medication works. The best thing for me is to stand outside and soak in the natural light some days that is all I can do to clear my mind.

welcome to the group,
i had a tumor last year removed and it brought along with it seizures after removal. the sun beating down on y face was inviting and such a relief. i just turned 69 like a week ago and have had many like you light related seizures. my daughter ordered me sunglasses, wish i had different pairs for each occasion needed, But what is so cool about them is they wrap around me temple to shade the outside lights and work for so many things or give me enough tie to turn my head to not get the chain of events started. if they do i raise my hand where one finger is pointing up , which means i need a minuet and i go to my happy quiet place i created as a comfort zone to rest my mind, just long enough for the symptoms can back off then i proceed. if you have a question feel free to ask. i can explain it better one subject at a time. thank you.

My pleasure @bliberty1946 !
If you continue to have trouble scheduling an appointment with a neurologist, the Epilepsy Foundation might be able to help. Here's the link to their helpline: https://www.epilepsy.com/helpline
Do you happen to have a Mayo Clinic facility near you?
I really hope you're able to get your appointment very soon
Chris

@randallshields56 Thank you all.

I'm a 54 year old female. I was diagnosed in my early 20s with grandmal nocturnal seizures. I later found out that I was a catamenial epileptic. (triggered by my period)
I had a hysterectomy and they evolved to complex partial. I eventually became medication resistant and have multiple types of seizures, including absence seizure. The last time I was in an EMU they stopped counting at 40 absence seizures and I had no idea I was even having them. We think back to my childhood and believe I've always had them and they just missed diagnosing it. I now have a VNS implant. It has helped tremendously. 3 years ago I was having 30-40 complex partial and tonic clinic seizures a month. Im now down to about 12 and the intensity is less severe. However, I have no idea how many absence seizure I have.

Hi all,
Just after some advice, I have had childhood absences since I was 3, I am now 19 and still have them. Over the last few years they have become much less and much quicker, with them being no longer than 1-2 seconds. I have had in the past a few tonic clonic seizures, my most recent was in June.
I really really want to drive and seeing all my friends drive makes me a bit annoyed as it’s something I want to do. I was on Euthsauxamide and now on Lamotrigine , and on average getting 3-5 a day and generally seem to be in the morning.
Is there anyone that found out if a different lifestyle has helped and what have you done? I’ve been looking into the keto diet but not sure how effective it is? I’m nearly at the max on the Lamotrigine.
Thanks

@dawncordaine welcome to the group, you have had quite the journey in your life already. its so complicated yet in todays medical marvels i have to pray that you find a happy medium and can settle with it and have a great future. i will send a prayer for you-------prayer sent. have a great weekend.

I am 69 and was diagnosed with "Focal Unaware TLE" about 8 years ago and have been with the clinic about 5 years.

Hi @ambo2006
Welcome to the group, and thank you for sharing your story with us.
In terms of lifestyle changes, what's helped me most has been learning to identify and monitor my seizure triggers using the Andrews-Reiter Approach. If you're interested in exploring this, I highly recommend this workbook:
- Taking Control of Your Seizures
https://www.amazon.com.br/Taking-Control-Your-Seizures-Workbook/dp/019933501X/ref=sr_1_5
Here are also a couple more resources on the Andrews-Reiter Approach:
Stopping Seizures Before They Occur: The Andrews-Reiter Approach and Beyond

Hi @absentsenior
Welcome to the Epilepsy & Seizures Group at Mayo Clinic Connect.
What are your biggest challenges right now? Are your seizures well-controlled at the moment?
Chris