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Is it possible to outgrow epilepsy?

Tue, 03/04/2008 - 09:28
I've had seizures since infancy; convulsive (petite mal) starting out up until about age 12, I went with my mother to apply for disability at that time and was informed by letter regarding the disapproval, that it would be something I would grow out of. Well about a year to date I've had a partial seizure while in the military service and  some seizures while I sleep. I didn't qualify for any military benefits because of it being a pre-existing condition. I want to know can you truely ever out grow your seizures or do your seizures transition to another form of seizure as you age?

Comments

Re: Is it possible to outgrow epilepsy?

Submitted by CG on Wed, 2008-07-23 - 18:03

Hi,

I have had E since age 5 and am now in my 50s. My first E was convulsive, but then went into absence seizures, then nothing I knew of as they happened nocturnally. Later going through menopause I began to get absence seizures again. Now everything is under control. Do you outgrow E - some do, some don't. Does E transition from one form to another: It did with me.

Hi,

I have had E since age 5 and am now in my 50s. My first E was convulsive, but then went into absence seizures, then nothing I knew of as they happened nocturnally. Later going through menopause I began to get absence seizures again. Now everything is under control. Do you outgrow E - some do, some don't. Does E transition from one form to another: It did with me.

Re: Is it possible to outgrow epilepsy?

Submitted by sabrefreak on Wed, 2008-07-23 - 19:56

I've read that between 30%-40% of children who develop epilepsy before the age of 16 may outgrow it. Note that spontaneous remission is far more common in children than in adults.

However, despite these numbers, I wouldn't bet on it happening and rather accept whatever comes along (I started getting seizures at 12 or 13 and was diagnosed at 18; I'm now 36 and it did not go into remission, but for a couple of years in my twenties it made not a peep :)

I've read that between 30%-40% of children who develop epilepsy before the age of 16 may outgrow it. Note that spontaneous remission is far more common in children than in adults.

However, despite these numbers, I wouldn't bet on it happening and rather accept whatever comes along (I started getting seizures at 12 or 13 and was diagnosed at 18; I'm now 36 and it did not go into remission, but for a couple of years in my twenties it made not a peep :)

Re: Is it possible to outgrow epilepsy?

Submitted by cuda on Wed, 2008-08-06 - 11:14

Hello,

Yes is can be possible to outgrow epilepsy, although I think the percentage is quite small.  A girl I know had epilepsy as a young child.  Then in her late teens her seizure just stopped.   Last I saw her she was driving and seizure free.  I had my first seizures at the age of 12 and after the couple I had I was seizure free until I was almost 20.  They were controlled by meds in my early 20's and I got my licence back.  Then at the age of 24 I started having seizures again and I am still having seizures to this day.  My seizures are idopathic and very hard to control.  But the meds have kept them in check to some degree just not completely.  When I switched over to pregabalin I did go for 10 days without a seizure.  But now I am having them again, although they are milder and of shorter duration. 

          Cary :)

Hello,

Yes is can be possible to outgrow epilepsy, although I think the percentage is quite small.  A girl I know had epilepsy as a young child.  Then in her late teens her seizure just stopped.   Last I saw her she was driving and seizure free.  I had my first seizures at the age of 12 and after the couple I had I was seizure free until I was almost 20.  They were controlled by meds in my early 20's and I got my licence back.  Then at the age of 24 I started having seizures again and I am still having seizures to this day.  My seizures are idopathic and very hard to control.  But the meds have kept them in check to some degree just not completely.  When I switched over to pregabalin I did go for 10 days without a seizure.  But now I am having them again, although they are milder and of shorter duration. 

          Cary :)

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