Charlie Rolstone always chalked up her childhood migraines and motion sickness to common ailments. But a seizure in September 2021 changed everything.
For years, Charlie Rolstone from Hertfordshire, England, dismissed her persistent headaches and motion sickness as mere nuisances of life. These subtle symptoms followed her from adolescence into adulthood. “I’ve suffered with migraines since I was a teen,” she explained, noting how intense the pain could get, covering the back of her skull whenever she coughed or raised her voice.
Despite thinking these were just normal quirks, Rolstone’s life took a turn when she collapsed at home. “No one saw me actually collapse,” she recalled about that fateful day. After a sleepless night of baking for a friend’s son, she felt an unfamiliar sensation of everything moving in slow motion. Her partner found her on the floor and quickly called an ambulance.
Upon waking in the hospital, Rolstone learned she had experienced a seizure. Further tests and an MRI confirmed she had epilepsy along with Chiari malformation, a rare brain condition where tissue grows into the spinal canal. The condition can be dangerous, with severe cases leading to serious complications, as it often results from a misshaped or undersized skull pressing on the brain.
Living with this diagnosis has been life-altering for Rolstone. “I can’t work a nine-to-five, and my partner has become my full-time carer,” she said, highlighting how daily life has shifted. Watching TV has become challenging because of motion sickness triggers, and she has to manage her migraines with medication. Despite these struggles, she’s been seizure-free for 21 months, thanks to her epilepsy treatment.
Even though there’s no cure for Chiari malformations, Rolstone remains grateful for the diagnosis that might have saved her life. “I don’t know the full extent of the damage, but I’m glad we’ve caught it,” she expressed with relief. It’s a daily battle, but she’s thankful to have a clear understanding of her condition now.
Charlie Rolstone’s story is a poignant reminder of how symptoms often dismissed as mundane can signal something more serious. Her unexpected diagnosis has reshaped her life, but she faces it with gratitude for the clarity and care she now receives. “That seizure saved my life,” she said, demonstrating the unexpected ways in which life can lead to understanding and management of one’s health.
Source: Yahoo
