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14yrs old ?? Psychogenic epilepsy

Mon, 04/23/2007 - 03:56
My 14 yr old daughter recently had what appeared to be an unresolving seizure for 1 hour. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital (4th time in one month) where she was seen while seizing by the pediatric neurologist. She was then admitted to the neurology unit for overnight EEG monitoring. The neurologist feels that she is experiencing psychogenic epilepsy (these always start out with unconscious dropping to the floor then right hand twitching which may or may not proceed into bilateral arm and leg jerking.) She normally is a well adjusted happy teenage. But after the first two seizures she was placed on Lamictal, then after what appeared a T/C, Dilantin then after another seizure Klonopin. By the time this last seizure occurred at school, she was taking three meds and even when the ambulance arrived was given large doses of versed with no effect. She was seen by a pediatric psychiatrist who said he does not suspect there is any "smoking" gun but that it would benefit her to have therapy. We are struggling to understand this since she seems so happy and no abuse that we are aware of. The only contributing factor seems to be a head trauma one year ago while playing sports then her grandmother who she was very close to died 4 months ago. Two EEGs have shown some abnormalities and two have been normal. Her prolactin levels right after the seizures have been normal. Her neurologist states to leave her if we find her having a seizure and just check back occassionally. He states that by bringing her into the hospital frequently and by hovering around that we are unconsciously enabling this. Help??

Comments

Re: Re: 14yrs old ?? Psychogenic epilepsy

Submitted by MindyRoy on Thu, 2007-05-03 - 12:22
Kim, I am in your shoes. My 12 yr daugther is having myoclonic absence and tonic clonic seizures. The med's that she is on 300mg topamax, 1000mg zarontin, 1mg clonzapam, 1500mg of keppra. They are not working. She is having 7-12 a day. To me that is too many. I have decided to take her to Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland. Her appt is 5/16. I am praying that we will find some answers. Good luck to you and your son! Mindy

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