u/YourFavGothMommy

Howdy! (Possible ED trigger warning)

I (30F) have been a vegetarian since I was 12. A lot of people assume that means I eat healthy, but that’s mostly far from the truth. I struggled with anorexia beginning at 14, so my diet was very minimal, and I ate poorly when I did eat.

I’ve been mostly recovered from my ED for quite some time now, but I struggle with many other mental health issues. That has often led to a “fuck it, who cares” mentality when it comes to my health (eating, drinking, smoking, whatever). All that to say, I have not eaten a healthy diet in any way. I 100% know my diet is shit and I am no doubt deficient in many vitamins. During my ED days, I was anemic, and I’ve been experiencing some symptoms of that again.

For the past year or so, I’ve tried to eat more healthy. I’ve also occasionally considered adding some meat into my diet to provide me with more options and nutrients. Now being diagnosed with epilepsy in the last few months, I am considering that even more.

The problem is I cannot stand the idea of eating meat again. I KNOW it tastes good and I would realistically enjoy eating it (once past the initial ick phase), but it is a moral stance for me. I’m also just grossed out about it since it’s been over half of my life without it.

What would you all do in this situation? Do any of you live a vegetarian lifestyle and manage to get all the nutrition needed?

Thank you to anyone who reads :)

A quick backstory: Seizures are very new to me (2 TCs happened last December), and I actually haven’t officially gotten an epilepsy diagnosis, but my neuro thinks it’s likely. Since then, I’ve not had any TCs, but I did have 2 days a few months ago where I just had this “off” feeling on and off the whole day.

Well yesterday, I started at a new job. Conveniently (sarcasm), I felt this weird feeling on and off the whole shift. Since I haven’t had any more TCs since December and no confirmed focals or auras, I wasn’t sure if this was seizure related. I became increasingly concerned because I was having Déjà vu with these episodes now. At one point, 2 of my new coworkers had me sit down and they brought me juice.

Then after my boyfriend picked me up, we walked into our house and within five minutes, I had another Déjà vu spell and then a TC. At least I think I’ll officially get a diagnosis… :(

So my question is, were these little episodes throughout the day seizures? Like focals or auras? Or was it just some pre-seizure feeling, like building up throughout the course of the day? Most of them had this Déjà vu feeling, which I know is common in auras. Any info is so appreciated!

I know it shouldn’t be, but it is. I started a new job today, and they let me out earlier than expected. Of course I had to call my boyfriend and tell him I was ready to be picked up now. Luckily we live pretty close, but it’s so embarrassing having to wait for someone to pick you up. I was too anxious to wait there, so I walked outside to a nearby restaurant and sat outside.

For those of you who work at a job that doesn’t have a definite ending time (like a restaurant), how do you manage your pickup rides? Some days I might be done at 10 or 10:30, some times it may be 9, so I don’t know how to coordinate that.

I (29F) feel like I am now entirely reliant on my boyfriend (36M). We have a house together and have since before my seizures began last year. He has always made significantly more money than me throughout our relationship, so he pays the mortgage and utilities, and I pay for groceries/household goods, the pets food/vet, and the little small things here and there when we go out. Ultimately both of our money is “shared” but we don’t have a shared bank account.

Anyway, I am no longer working because I cannot drive, and every week that goes by since my last paycheck, I am getting more and more stressed. My boyfriend has started to pick up some of the expenses I usually pay for, but I’ve already dipped slightly into my savings.

Aside from finances, I hate being 100% dependent on him for transportation. All the places I would stop at on my way to/from work, like the pharmacy, bank, grocery store, pet store, wherever… now he has to take me. Public transportation is not the best in my area, and my street is completely unwalkable (we live on a 55mph state highway). I’m sooo trapped. :(

I know you all understand this struggle and probably have for many years, but I’m having a hard time adjusting to this new way of life. I hope the best for all of you on this journey with epilepsy. No one can understand it until they experience it first hand.