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Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?
Wed, 02/03/2010 - 14:14HI - 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
Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?
Submitted by vsidles on Wed, 2010-04-07 - 13:55
Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?
Submitted by pgd on Wed, 2010-04-07 - 14:39
http://www.rsna.org/rsna/media/pr2005/Coffee.cfm - As many know, caffeine can lower the seizure threshold for some of those with epilepsy. - pgd
Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?
Submitted by vsidles on Wed, 2010-04-07 - 13:53
I think in my case, I was "spacing out" and just not remembering the conversation. I know there were times when I was semi-aware of my surroundings but not able to comprehend what was said. The neurologist explained it to me that while most hear 1+1 = 2, I was hearing 1=2.....the blip in my brain left a portion out....if this makes any sense at all. I try and explain this to someone without partial complex seizures and they look at you like they are the ones having the out of brain experience!
With church or long meetings, I would feel as if I were passing out or asleep. My kid would jar my arm and I look up....eyes were open the whole time but I didn't see anything, and I felt as if I were in a vacuum or something...hard to explain the feeling. And taking notes became a scribbling mess.
Did I answer that question right? I hope so. I came on here looking for medication info. I am on Carbatrol (was on Lamictal for a while too) and have gained 80 lbs in 4yrs. That might not seem like much to some folks (over the course of time) but it is to someone who has always been a normal wgt. I am now 49 and struggling to get it off (not the first time since I've been on meds). I was considering asking my Doc to take me off the Carbatrol and put me on Topamax. Any suggestions or comments on that?
Thank you, Vicki
I think in my case, I was "spacing out" and just not remembering the conversation. I know there were times when I was semi-aware of my surroundings but not able to comprehend what was said. The neurologist explained it to me that while most hear 1+1 = 2, I was hearing 1=2.....the blip in my brain left a portion out....if this makes any sense at all. I try and explain this to someone without partial complex seizures and they look at you like they are the ones having the out of brain experience!
With church or long meetings, I would feel as if I were passing out or asleep. My kid would jar my arm and I look up....eyes were open the whole time but I didn't see anything, and I felt as if I were in a vacuum or something...hard to explain the feeling. And taking notes became a scribbling mess.
Did I answer that question right? I hope so. I came on here looking for medication info. I am on Carbatrol (was on Lamictal for a while too) and have gained 80 lbs in 4yrs. That might not seem like much to some folks (over the course of time) but it is to someone who has always been a normal wgt. I am now 49 and struggling to get it off (not the first time since I've been on meds). I was considering asking my Doc to take me off the Carbatrol and put me on Topamax. Any suggestions or comments on that?
Thank you, Vicki