Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.
Anne was not clear why she started with epilepsy around the time of her menopause. She used to have migraines but these stopped when she started having seizures. She regards the seizures as an inconvenience, and her asthma (diagnosed a few years later) just an irritation.
Anne is married with three grown-up children and is retired. Ethnic Background: English.
Being diagnosed with epilepsy was a shock for Tony when he was in his 30s and it took 2 years to get the medication righ. Although he doesn't have seizures, the drugs leave him feeling wiped out He also has asthma but doesn't see it as a problem.
Tony is an IT business analyst and married with two grown-up children. Ethnic Background: White British.
Lottie was hospitalised following an epileptic seizure when aged 15. She has tried 9 epilepsy medicines, none of which have worked and her suitability for surgery is being assessed. She also has diabetes type 1 and depression and has tried to commit suicide.
Lottie is married with one child aged 8. She used to work as a personal assistant but is currently unemployed due to ill health. Ethnic Background: White.
Michael was diagnosed with his health conditions in childhood and believes he was born with them. His main problem is epilepsy which is poorly controlled and his medicines makes him feel in danger of falling. He also has a lung condition (bronchiectasis).
Michael is married with two grown-up children. He is a retired IT project manager. Michael tires easily so his wife Pauline speaks for much of the interview. Ethnic Background: White.
Anne's health problems began with atrial fibrillation in her late fifties. By 70 she was taking warfarin and had a pacemaker fitted. She also has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and psoriatic arthritis, and links most of her conditions to stress.
Anne is married with three grown-up children and is retired. Ethnic Background: White.
Loraine was born prematurely and began epileptic seizures at 5 months old. This triggered static neurological deficit, causing vision and hearing impairments, irregular heartbeat and cerebral palsy. She later developed asthma and long-term use of anti-epileptic drugs led to anaemia and bone loss.
Loraine lives with her husband and does voluntary/charity work. Ethnic Background: White British.
Fiona has asthma, type 1 diabetes and epilepsy. Her asthma is well controlled with inhalers. She has good and bad days with her diabetes. Drugs have stopped her epileptic seizures, although she has become forgetful.
Fiona is married and pregnant with her first child. She is a student and part-time proof reader and copyrighter. Ethnic Background: White British.
At age 51 Barry had a stroke that affected his speech, hearing, reading and writing but he remained mobile. Eight years later he was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). He also has a condition of the adrenal glands.
Barry is married with one adult child. He is a retired bricklayer and education welfare officer. Ethnic Background: White English.
Michael has been asthmatic since childhood and was later found to have had tuberculosis (TB) and, more recently was told he had Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Part of his left lung has been surgically removed. He has a leaky heart valve and has had a stroke.
Michael is married with three children of his own and three step-children, all grown-up. He is a retired lecturer. Ethnic Background: White European.
Jean has been in pain from ankylosing spondylitis since her twenties but feels she copes with it well. She has also had a stroke and has diabetes, atrial fibrillation and kidney disease, which give her a mix of other symptoms including incontinence, breathing problems and immobility.
Jean is widowed with three grown-up children. She is a retired homeopathic practitioner. Ethnic Background: British.
