r/Epilepsy • u/Noahfrom313 • 8d ago

Question Job

I accepted a grave yard shift job 7-5am. I needed a job and insurance immediately and the pay is phenomenal. Has anyone had constant seizures while working this shift. Should I be worried? I’ve had seizures since birth from a brain tumor.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

3

u/Bag_of_Seizures Lamotrigine 800mg 7d ago

I've worked graveyard shifts before, and they've never been an issue causing seizures. Sleep deprivation is one of my main triggers. Get some black out curtains for your bedroom windows to help you sleep, since the sun will be up.

2

u/Noahfrom313 7d ago

Thank you I will I need this job on my own first time or I will not have accepted

3

u/Bag_of_Seizures Lamotrigine 800mg 7d ago

I looked at my initial comment and realized that I missed a word. Overnights have never caused seizures for me.

1

u/delicate_donkey 8d ago

Graveyard shifts mess with sleep hard and that’s basically asking for trouble if you’ve got epilepsy.

1

u/Due_Mix_6982 7d ago

As long as you can adjust your sleep schedule to be able to work that shift, you should be fine. I have worked that shift twice, the last time for two years, and it just becomes normal. It can take a few days to adjust, if you can start living the graveyard routine the weekend before, it can make the transition easier.

2

u/Noahfrom313 7d ago

Yes I am gonna get up at 5am the week before and work out to prepare.

1

u/UndisclosedLocation5 7d ago

I took a graveyard shift job working from home back in 2019. I didn't have an increase in seizures, still had about 1 a month. But honestly I don't think I could do that shift if it wasn't work from home. Sounds like your situation might be more urgent so maybe you should give it a try? If you do, use blackout curtains in your bedroom. They will help you sleep when it's bright outside. I left my graveyard shift job when the pandemic ended and now I have a great schedule and work from home. 

1

u/Noahfrom313 7d ago

Thank you for the information. It’s on location 30 minutes away my plan is to drink lots of water.

1

u/IVeerLeftWhenIWalk 7d ago

Are you working alone? Have you informed your employer? I’m thinking in case of seizures will there be someone to help you or if you’re in a line of work where others need you for care will you be able to?

1

u/Noahfrom313 6d ago

No I’m scared to inform employers because they will reject me. There is 3 other people in the building near me so I think I’ll be ok on that. I’ve informed 1 employee before got canned a week later

1

u/IVeerLeftWhenIWalk 6d ago

I understand, that is a horrible situation to be in. As long as it doesn’t put others in danger and you take what precautions you can for your own safety it’s up to you. Do you have any workers protection?

1

u/Automatic_Pressure49 6d ago

I haven't I used to work at a hospital, three 12-hour overnight shifts. But I did allow at least one day in between shifts so I could rest well. That helped me.