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Diagnosing Epilepsy
Fri, 08/16/2013 - 13:06Comments
Re: Diagnosing Epilepsy
Submitted by Cure4Tarin on Sat, 2013-08-17 - 10:59
Re: Diagnosing Epilepsy
Submitted by EmmasMommy on Fri, 2013-08-23 - 15:28
Hi,
I have a few questions for you - if I have missed the answers above, please forgive me.
1. How old is your son? How old was he when he had his first known seizure?
2. Could you describe for us what his seizures "look like?" My daughter has focal seizures with secondary generalization which include her left side being paralyzed for hours after a seizure (seizures average from 18-45 minutes plus she has them in her sleep). She has CONSTANT misfiring on the right side of her brain (even when NOT having a seizure) and has never had a normal EEG.
3. What kind of meds is he on and did his seizures change at all after certain meds (get better/worse, etc)?
My daughter tested positive for a scn1a mutation but supposedly is has an "unknown significance." I think it's very significant but not enough people have been tested yet to find the "link."
Hi,
I have a few questions for you - if I have missed the answers above, please forgive me.
1. How old is your son? How old was he when he had his first known seizure?
2. Could you describe for us what his seizures "look like?" My daughter has focal seizures with secondary generalization which include her left side being paralyzed for hours after a seizure (seizures average from 18-45 minutes plus she has them in her sleep). She has CONSTANT misfiring on the right side of her brain (even when NOT having a seizure) and has never had a normal EEG.
3. What kind of meds is he on and did his seizures change at all after certain meds (get better/worse, etc)?
My daughter tested positive for a scn1a mutation but supposedly is has an "unknown significance." I think it's very significant but not enough people have been tested yet to find the "link."
Re: Diagnosing Epilepsy
Submitted by Masterjen on Fri, 2013-08-16 - 14:43
There are ways to determine what type of seizures your son is having. One is for you to very carefully describe to the doctors what happens when he has a seizure. Another way is to set up a video camera or web-cam in his room to record any seizures he has at night. Another way is to have him admitted to the seizure investigation unit where he will be hooked up to an EEG 24/7 for a given period of time in order to record his brain-wave activity and obtain visual recordings of any seizures he has. From this the doctors should be able to tell you what kind of seizure(s) your son has.
You can also ask that your son have a diagnostic profile done, to determine if he has any other medical condition that may have predisposed him to seizures (eg. faulty gene, metabolic disorder, or what have you). You say that no cause was found for your son's pancreatitis - maybe this was the first sign of a medical condition in which seizures can also occur. But be prepared to hear that your son's epilepsy has no known cause, as this is common. A physical trauma, such as a serious illness (pancreatitis) or head injury can be a trigger for seizures to start, when perhaps your son was predisposed to developing seizures all along. I of course don't know if this was the case for your son; just giving food for thought.
As for taking medication, it is important to control seizures for a number of reasons: your son's safety (he cannot constantly be under your supervision), helping him become self-confident and independent, and also there is the theory (up for debate) that uncontrolled seizures can lower the seizure threshold and make one more predisposed to having seizures.
Always remember to take a clear llist of questions with you when you see your son's doctors, and take notes as they are discussing things with you. It will help keep your mind on track. Bring a second adult along as well, to be an additional pair of ears to hear what is being said.
Good luck!
There are ways to determine what type of seizures your son is having. One is for you to very carefully describe to the doctors what happens when he has a seizure. Another way is to set up a video camera or web-cam in his room to record any seizures he has at night. Another way is to have him admitted to the seizure investigation unit where he will be hooked up to an EEG 24/7 for a given period of time in order to record his brain-wave activity and obtain visual recordings of any seizures he has. From this the doctors should be able to tell you what kind of seizure(s) your son has.
You can also ask that your son have a diagnostic profile done, to determine if he has any other medical condition that may have predisposed him to seizures (eg. faulty gene, metabolic disorder, or what have you). You say that no cause was found for your son's pancreatitis - maybe this was the first sign of a medical condition in which seizures can also occur. But be prepared to hear that your son's epilepsy has no known cause, as this is common. A physical trauma, such as a serious illness (pancreatitis) or head injury can be a trigger for seizures to start, when perhaps your son was predisposed to developing seizures all along. I of course don't know if this was the case for your son; just giving food for thought.
As for taking medication, it is important to control seizures for a number of reasons: your son's safety (he cannot constantly be under your supervision), helping him become self-confident and independent, and also there is the theory (up for debate) that uncontrolled seizures can lower the seizure threshold and make one more predisposed to having seizures.
Always remember to take a clear llist of questions with you when you see your son's doctors, and take notes as they are discussing things with you. It will help keep your mind on track. Bring a second adult along as well, to be an additional pair of ears to hear what is being said.
Good luck!