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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 George R on Wed, 2008-08-06 - 13:44

George - NYC-- "Possible"? In a small number of cases, I should think. Mine began around age 26, and despite surgery, a myriad of drugs and the latest treatments, I still could be stamped "E" at my current age of 69. My types of seizures have changed, as well as the number I'll get at one time.They no longer appear to be the tonic-clonic version, and I will get "only" one a month. What I have outgrown is my early fear of epilepsy and concern about what onlookers have to say. I have epilepsy, love life, and hope to live on many more years. Hang in there!

 

George - NYC-- "Possible"? In a small number of cases, I should think. Mine began around age 26, and despite surgery, a myriad of drugs and the latest treatments, I still could be stamped "E" at my current age of 69. My types of seizures have changed, as well as the number I'll get at one time.They no longer appear to be the tonic-clonic version, and I will get "only" one a month. What I have outgrown is my early fear of epilepsy and concern about what onlookers have to say. I have epilepsy, love life, and hope to live on many more years. Hang in there!

 

Re: Is it possible to outgrow epilepsy?

Submitted by capecoral28 on Sun, 2008-09-21 - 23:01
Well untill now I thought I would always have peti mal, but out of no where and after 15 years , and having  a good control of medication i had my first clonic tonic 3 days ago, and  it lasted 6 min, and then I passed out for the rest of the night.  I have lost hope.

Re: Is it possible to outgrow epilepsy?

Submitted by allisonbadgley on Wed, 2009-03-04 - 18:37

I'm so sorry to hear that, Capeco.  I have a simliar story.  I had it as a kid...petit mal.  Took dilantin.  I can't remember how it was determined that I had "grown" out of it, but they took me off the meds.  In my early twenties, I started having what appeared to be panic attacks.  Looking back I think they may have been seizures.  My gut feeling is that I never really grew out of it.

 Last summer I had my first Grand Mal.  My trigger seemed to be stress coupled with extreme exhaustion.  After tests, it was determined that I had left temporal lobe sclerosis....which had to have been caused by years of trauma to that area of my brain.  I'm no doc, that's just what I assume.  I am now on Lamictal.  I haven't had a grand mal since July, thank God.

 Don't loose hope.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Capeco.  I have a simliar story.  I had it as a kid...petit mal.  Took dilantin.  I can't remember how it was determined that I had "grown" out of it, but they took me off the meds.  In my early twenties, I started having what appeared to be panic attacks.  Looking back I think they may have been seizures.  My gut feeling is that I never really grew out of it.

 Last summer I had my first Grand Mal.  My trigger seemed to be stress coupled with extreme exhaustion.  After tests, it was determined that I had left temporal lobe sclerosis....which had to have been caused by years of trauma to that area of my brain.  I'm no doc, that's just what I assume.  I am now on Lamictal.  I haven't had a grand mal since July, thank God.

 Don't loose hope.

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