Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 14:14
Topic: Medication Issues

HI - our daughter was diagnosed over the summer with Absence Seizures. Her pediatric neurologist has recommended starting her on Ethosuximide. She has assured us that the side effects are primarily "upset stomach" and that can remedied by taking the medication with food.

 We are new to all of this and quite overwhelmed. Currently, these seizures are not interferring with her school work, behavior, or social activities. Since it is most likely that she will "out-grow" them we are reluctant to start medication.

 Is there anyone "out there" who has never medicated OR started the medication and then stopped it b/c of the side effects?

We don't want to make the wrong decision. Thank you for any insight.

Comments

MY DAUGHTER WAS CURED FROM SEIZURE

Submitted by mark clara on Wed, 2017-10-25 - 09:20
My daughter was diagnosed with Epilepsy. The neurologist was very confident about the diagnosis based, my Daughter had an EEG (no idea if it showed anything; we were tired and may have misunderstood what he said about that). MRI was negative for problems. For the past 4 months or so, I have seen weekly occurrences, making strange faces (this involved cheek twitching and lip quivering). We did not realize it could be a serious problem until she had an obvious seizure (simple partial) last week. What is troubling about my daughter condition is that we have seen many daytime seizures, and that recently the seizures seem to cluster together. No idea if there are seizures occurring at night. We were given a prescription for Kapra, but are still weighing the risk / rewards of giving the medication to a toddler. After returning from the hospital, my daughter experienced a round a vomiting lasting from 3 AM to 11 AM, followed by additional vomiting the following morning at around 2 AM. Nothing sense then. She has not had an appetite, is drinking fine, and otherwise appears healthy. I read a lot of blogs where people who shared their testimonies kept mentioning Anti-seizure Herbal medication. I searched for a website I just followed the email address of Doctor Lawson that was shared on these testimonies; I got lucky when I got a reply from Dr. Lawson Bryan. I followed his instruction, used Herbal Medicine in less than 2 months, my daughter seizures reduced drastically. Within a period of 5 months, my daughter was cured. I went back to my neurologist, where my daughter checked up and marked epilepsy free. contact him +1 (979) 475-5130 or e-mail dr.lawson52@gmail.com

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by pkstinn on Wed, 2010-02-03 - 22:49
I am 51 years old, so my life issues are substantially different from your daughter's issues. I do not drive, I am not trying to compete for an academic standing, am happily married, etc. But let me share this with you--when I decided to return to college to earn a master's degree, I found that I could not retain anything I studied. Frustrated and depressed, my neurologist suggested absence siezures were the cause--not lack of comprehension, but lack of retention. He adjusted my meds and my studies improved remarkeably...I aced the course! You didn't disclose how/why your daughter was diagnosed. Is she missing out on details or social interactions attributed to the seizures like I was? You/she may not realize what the seizures are depriving her of until they are treated. Did your neurologist explain that some types of epilepsies may not progress when treated early? As a person with epilepsy, I benefit tremendously from treatment of the absence seizures (though they are still poorly controlled and I still can't drive). If the first med recommended puts her to sleep, ask for a different recommendation, perhaps. For your daughter, it would be far worse for her to have absence spells while bicycling, walking across a street, or even playing softball (yes, getting hit in the head by flying balls, bats hurts ;-) and does happen). I would, however, wait until spring break, or homeschool her, during the start-up. Just my opinion based on my personal experiences...

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by tuvell1073 on Tue, 2010-02-16 - 23:43

I have a 10 yr old daughter who too was just diagnosed with Primary generalized epilepsy after her EEG came back postive for absence or Petit Mal seizures. We have no genetic history and her MRI was negative for anything that would cause these seizures. She has always been a fun, loving, gifted child and very athletic.

Her pediatric neuro started her on Lamictal. We are so reluctant to put her on any pharms. I know that for every good thing they do there are the negatives.  I waited 3 weeks and finally decided we should try it. After 3 weeks on Lamictal her behavior started to change dramatically. She was very impatient, moody, angry and easily emotional. Like a women during PMS times 100. I decided to call and see if we could change her meds. She is now on Zonisamide. After reading that it is not approved for children under 16 I am so confused on what to do next! I read side effects that included it may retard growth in children. I too am so confused. Her seizures are more apparent when she doesn't get enough sleep or when she is stressed from school. I feel their has to be an alternative to pharms. Does anyone know of any homeopathic therapies that can help?? I am not sure what is harming her more.. the few seizures she has or the side effects of meds on a growing child?? Any suggestions??

I have a 10 yr old daughter who too was just diagnosed with Primary generalized epilepsy after her EEG came back postive for absence or Petit Mal seizures. We have no genetic history and her MRI was negative for anything that would cause these seizures. She has always been a fun, loving, gifted child and very athletic.

Her pediatric neuro started her on Lamictal. We are so reluctant to put her on any pharms. I know that for every good thing they do there are the negatives.  I waited 3 weeks and finally decided we should try it. After 3 weeks on Lamictal her behavior started to change dramatically. She was very impatient, moody, angry and easily emotional. Like a women during PMS times 100. I decided to call and see if we could change her meds. She is now on Zonisamide. After reading that it is not approved for children under 16 I am so confused on what to do next! I read side effects that included it may retard growth in children. I too am so confused. Her seizures are more apparent when she doesn't get enough sleep or when she is stressed from school. I feel their has to be an alternative to pharms. Does anyone know of any homeopathic therapies that can help?? I am not sure what is harming her more.. the few seizures she has or the side effects of meds on a growing child?? Any suggestions??

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.

Subscribe