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Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 14:14

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

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by Laurie Lamantia on Mon, 2012-03-26 - 20:19

Hi my son is 17 and still has absence seizures.  He was diagnoised @ age 5 and we didn't medicate for over two years.  Unfortuantley they became more frequent and longer and it did effect his life.  I wish we could say it helped, but he has failed 7 diffferent medications, two put him in the hospital and the rest either gave him an allergic reation (rash) or made him worse.

I am curious what Homeopthic rememdies you are trying.  We have tried herbs and currently avoid all Gluten and are on a version of the Modified Adkins diet, low carb hight fat. 

We are always searching, so please let us know what you believe is helping your son.

many thanks,

Laurie

Hi my son is 17 and still has absence seizures.  He was diagnoised @ age 5 and we didn't medicate for over two years.  Unfortuantley they became more frequent and longer and it did effect his life.  I wish we could say it helped, but he has failed 7 diffferent medications, two put him in the hospital and the rest either gave him an allergic reation (rash) or made him worse.

I am curious what Homeopthic rememdies you are trying.  We have tried herbs and currently avoid all Gluten and are on a version of the Modified Adkins diet, low carb hight fat. 

We are always searching, so please let us know what you believe is helping your son.

many thanks,

Laurie

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by revawave on Fri, 2010-05-07 - 14:10
Although it may seem like it is not interfering with her day to day life, I can assure you if it doesn't seem to be now, it will in the future.  She will not be allowed to drive, it may be hard for her to get a job.  And you don't always outgrow it.  I am almost 30 yrs old and I still have mine.

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by knittingmommy on Fri, 2010-05-07 - 14:30
Revawave. I have heard the same from people who don't know anyone who has seizures.  I am thinking now of careers and work that he will be able to do and  have been reading also about things that he can't do.   Thinking that it will go away is wishful thinking and I believe doctors need to stop telling parents that it will go away.  Its a very small possibility.   I am going to keep on trying to prepare him now although he is only seven.  Thats is why I joined this site.  To try to get more information and learn from people's experiences. 

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