Jesse
You can do many more things by getting out there and finding out more information about what's available.
Jesse and Michele had their first date when they were teenagers. "I remember we sat out in the car, and talked about various things, having kids, types of music that we liked or didn't like, and it seemed like the more we talked, the more similarities we had," Jesse says. "Then, while we were sitting there, suddenly Michele stiffened. She had this blank stare on her face and started moving her arms and legs. I didn't know what was going on."
Jesse says he never knew anyone with epilepsy before meeting Michele, and this was his first encounter with what it means to have a seizure. But, he notes, even after the experience, he knew that this was the girl he wanted to pursue. "Even on that first date, I thought maybe this was the gal that I want to marry," he says. "I knew I really liked her, and that her disease was something that we could overcome. If it was going to be true love, then it's something we could work out together and pursue a life."
To view the video, you need Adobe® Flash® Player installed. If you do not have Adobe Flash Player on your computer, you can download it from the Adobe Web site.
Read Transcript
I would encourage people to not accept the status quo. ...To talk with their families, to not just accept the doctor's statement of, well, this is all we can do for you. That's it; go home and just live with it. ...you can do many more things by getting out there, finding more materials to read, getting on the Internet, finding out more information about what's available. There are constantly new developments coming up. You gotta look out for yourself.
I would encourage people to not accept the status quo. ...To talk with their families, to not just accept the doctor's statement of, well, this is all we can do for you. That's it; go home and just live with it. ...you can do many more things by getting out there, finding more materials to read, getting on the Internet, finding out more information about what's available. There are constantly new developments coming up. You gotta look out for yourself.
Jesse said his family was concerned about the relationship and wondered if he was going to be able to handle a life with a woman who had epilepsy. "I told them, no, I really love Michele, and whatever it is that we have to go through, we will face it together."
After they were married, the conversation about having children soon came up. Jesse said they were concerned, and they ended up talking with their doctor. "He told us there would be some risk of passing this on and some risk from the medicines, but overall it was not so high a risk to make us decide against having a family."
Jesse says he was also very concerned about pregnancy because Michele's seizures sometimes cause her to fall. Pregnancy heightened his awareness of the need to support Michele and how much she depended on him. "Thinking back on those days, there are a lot of joyful memories, and when she did have her seizures, I tried to be as careful as possible to take care of her."
Jesse and Michele now have two grown daughters who are their dad's pride and joy. "Epilepsy is something that they grew up with, but it was still difficult for them to understand when they were young," he says. "I would say, for fathers that are just starting out their families with a wife who has epilepsy, it's important to try to really work on being understanding, having family backup, and having somebody that they can go to, whether it be family or friends." For Jesse, this was a big help for him during the early years.
Jesse also notes that it's very important to relieve personal stress in order to handle the inevitable challenges of caring for someone with epilepsy. "I found a couple of different things that worked for me, and I would encourage other young fathers to do the same. Go and lift weights and run around the track and try to burn up some of that energy," he suggests. "I got onto a softball team for a while and played football with friends from church to get that aggression out as much as possible so I wouldn't bring it home."
Through it all, Jesse notes, were the doctors and the medications, and this was an area where he was able to play a significantly supportive role for Michele. "From the beginning, since we were first married, I always made it a point to go to Michele's doctor appointments, because I could remember things about her seizures that she couldn't," he says. "That way we have two heads, instead of one, to talk about the medications and seizures." Jesse also says it was good for him to learn about new medication options, too, so he could encourage Michele to keep trying so they could find the right treatment for her.
"My wife and I have actually been through a lot of valleys since we've been married, but you have to go through those valleys in order to reach the mountaintops," Jesse says. "I'm willing to go on to the next step, whatever it may be." For Jesse and Michele, that willingness was what introduced them to Vimpat. Michele entered a study, and soon she and Jesse began to see a difference. "Time between seizures was growing longer," he says. "Vimpat has definitely worked for my wife, and it's definitely helped her regain a lot more control."
For Jesse, the best thing about being a caregiver is that it gives him a sense of fulfillment. "Going through our life together, I didn't know what to expect," he says. "I just tried to take one day at a time and be there for Michele. And if I had to do it all over, I'd do it again."
Indication
Vimpat® (lacosamide) is a prescription medicine that is used with other medicines to treat partial-onset seizures in people 17 years of age and older with epilepsy.
Important Safety Information
Vimpat is generally well-tolerated, but may not be for everyone. Ask your healthcare provider if Vimpat is right for you.
Warnings and Precautions
Antiepileptic drugs, including Vimpat, may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts about self harm that you have never had before or may be worse than before. Do not stop taking Vimpat without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Vimpat suddenly can cause serious problems.
Vimpat may also cause you to feel dizzy, have double vision, feel sleepy, or have problems with coordination and walking. You should not drive, operate machinery or do other dangerous activities until you know how Vimpat affects you.
Vimpat may cause you to have an irregular heartbeat or may cause you to feel faint. Call your healthcare provider if you have a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath, feel lightheaded, or if you fainted or feel like you are going to faint.
Vimpat is classified as a federally controlled substance (C-V) due to a low potential for abuse. Keep your Vimpat in a safe place and do not give it to anyone else.
In rare cases, Vimpat may cause a serious allergic reaction that may affect your skin or other parts of your body such as your liver or blood cells. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have a skin rash or hives, fever or swollen glands that do not go away, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, or dark urine.
Vimpat oral solution contains aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.
Common Adverse Reactions
The most common side effects with Vimpat are dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision. To report Suspected Adverse Reactions, contact UCB, Inc. at 866-822-0068 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Please see additional patient information in the Patient Medication Guide. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your condition or your treatment.
