share: A true story of how Alcohol destroyed our Health & our Lives.
I'll try to make this brief, but if you should have any inquiries, please let me know. To explain the years preceding our health deterioration, we both had been married twice previous, to individuals that we were not suited for. As most people do now a days, we drank to relax and calm our nerves. And while that is a POOR excuse, unfortunately, very true for many. Never had we heard, read, or even been told, by ANYone, of possible derogatory health effects from Alcohol, so it all came as a real shocker.
Myself & my late husband were born to Mothers who drank. We picked up the nasty little drinking habit quite well, in our late teens, when first employed. Being the youngest & newest recruit, you want to fit in and be accepted, especially when you are hoping for a career in that field. Many lunch & after work drinks became a ongoing way of life.
Both of us were well educated and extremely hard working, therefore rose quickly in the professions we loved.
This all came to a devastating halt in our mid 40's.
It is called 'Grand-Mal Seizures' somewhat related to 'Epilepsy'.
There are NO known cures! Prescription drugs are the only help, along with complete Alcohol abstinence, permanently. The current medications have pages & pages of horrific side effects, and hit each patient different times, different ways. You must stay on these pills for the rest of your life though! And are expensive. I have a distant relative, who's baby girl was born with the exact same problem. So it's NOT really Epilepsy, but almost another FORM of it. While this tiny little girls parents have never consumed Alcohol, suspicions are that her Dad's biological parents did. But being adopted, leaves the question unanswered.
When it first hit, our drivers license's were suspended, in addition to us both having to quit our employment, which is very horrible, when you have worked your entire life in a profession you loved, and are extremely well known & respected in the industry. Not to mention the fact that you've been accustomed to a certain level of income, which is now basically, VANISHED into thin air !!!
Your license to drive may be returned after 6 months, without an attack, however it is like having a wretched poisonous snake, dwelling permanently inside of you forever ! The medication professes to hold it down, so to speak & yes it does, however, it is always on your mind ESPECIALLY when your license to drive is returned & makes travelling costs, to an unbelievable amount of Doctors/Specialists/Surgeons & Blood Tests, slightly more affordable.
There is a little journal book ALWAYS here in our home, where it is noted, time & day medication is taken, in dreaded fear of missing, then being served notice basically, by the PYTHON dwelling inside. He is very aware when he hasn't received Breakfast or Supper, call it 'Tranquilizing Medication'. Consequently, you may or may not be served His Wrath ! I trust you get the picture.
I never ever leave the house without checking this precious little diary, always sitting in clear plain view, as having a seizure while driving could cause a horrendous dreadful outcome! This is not Drunk Driving so to speak, but the aftermath of drinking for years and years, not to mention the continual worry of it causing a fall, sometimes splitting your skull open (happened twice.)!
A year before my spouse passed away, he had a seizure while negotiating 2 steps, flew over 20 ft., breaking his hip, resulting in surgery, then a year long recovery process. This is for someone who at 6 ft 4" tall, in excellent physical condition. Previously he had broken his arm & ankle from the same cause !
And ALL because of the ALMIGHTY drink !!!
I am attempting to bring this to as many organizations attention, as possible, as well as our Governments, Federal & Provincial. Hoping that along with AA, ALANON, MADD it will result in mandatory warning labels on ALL Liquor containers, & an increase in purchase prices!
Cigarette manufacturers have been forced to do the same, but I don't remember having ever heard of a deadly traffic accident or bone breaking fall, from smoking !?!
This sort of affliction, does make life difficult. Causing again, a great deal of stress, as suddenly everything you've known & been accustomed to, is uprooted & basically GONE !
My lovely husband passed away, a year ago last April, from a perforated ulcer, and his reluctance to go into the hospital immediately, as he didn't want me to be on my own, I suspect, in case of an attack! Well, my sweets, I'm kinda on my own now !?!
Thankyou for spending valued time, reading our story. I trust you will pass this on to others. I have been replied to by some, they absolutely convinced, seizures are only caused from ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL !! Well, not so, NOT SO AT ALL !! I'm no Physician, but have confirmed this with professionals, & it is ONLY from continued DRINKing !!
AND having this wretched, horrible health defect, is like wondering if the unwanted Tenant inside, is dead? alive? pissed off with you? bored, or maybe, just MAYBE, peacefully content, for now !?!
Sincerely yours, in deep hopes of helping others,
Sheila Joyce Gibbs
sjgibbs@shaw.ca
PS Imagine if ALL the Beer Cans in the world alone, had this message largely displayed.........
WARNING: Any/All Alcohol, contains the power to cause, possible but severe Epileptic Seizures, for life !
Think that would do it?
I'm pretty sure it could have changed OUR habits fast !
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Add a Comment4 Comments
Your story is a frightening eye-opener. Thank you for relaying what happened to both you and your husband and I am sorry about his recent death.
I have a few questions - were you a functioning alcoholic? You mention you worked and had a good career for years and years so I am wondering if you are the kind of alcholic who can function for decades, as opposed to the kind who remain unemployment or end up homeless. Were you a daily drinker or a binge drinker? And does that matter, in terms of the likelihood of having these seizures? Do the seizures target binge drinkers or those who drink continuously?
Thanks in advance and thank you for your SHARE. I am sure you will help many people by telling us your story.
July 7, 2008 - 1:41pmThis Comment
Dear Susanc: Both of us were daily drinkers, not binge drinkers. So while there were of course, lunch hours where we DIDN't go out with work mates, due to a flood of work, we could & did drink at the end of the day. So, basically, neither of us were ever 'DRUNK' but continual drinkers almost every day. Never were we unemployed, or had sick days off, in fact, neither of us had even been in the hospital at all, except as little kids, having our toncils pulled out.
July 7, 2008 - 8:21pmYour question is the same that we both had asked our Doctor, first time it happened. We were told, there is not ryme or reason to this. It can hit some light, mediu or heavy drinkers, at different times of their life too. As I mentioned about my family's daughter was born with it. That should give you some idea, as to the unknown possibilities that alcohol contains. Their Doctor feels that it very likely came from her (unknown) Grandparents.
Does that answer your question? Let me know if not though......
Gibbs,Your story was absolutely a shocking revelation.Really felt sorry about your husband's death.It’s a fact that too many people forget, when they talk about alcoholics and alcohol abuse. It is not a choice, or a function of personal will.I really feel proud of your attempt to make your experience an eye opener for other people.
September 29, 2009 - 11:09pmWow. Thank you for sharing your story with us. My condolences about your late husband. I have heard of Grand Mal seizures but never really linked them to alcohol unless it was involved with withdrawal- thanks again for the share!
September 30, 2009 - 5:55am