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Non-Medication of Childhood Absence Seizures
Thu, 10/21/2004 - 18:39Topic: Family & Friends
Hello All from Sydney, Australia.Our 8 year old son Matthew was diagnosed earlier this week with Absence Seizures.Given the potential side effects of medicating and that at this stage anyway Mattie's schooling and other activities don't seem to be being impacted meaningfully by his seizures, we've decided in conjunction with our Pediatrician not to medicate for now.I'd value any advice or tips or personal insights that anyone who has been in a similar position or has decided on this route might offer.Thanks, Des
Comments
Re: Non-Medication of Childhood Absence Seizures
Submitted by aquila316 on Fri, 2006-10-20 - 21:15
As a small child I complained to both my mom and my pediatrician about getting strange sensations and "losing time", and getting deja vu on a daily basis. It turned out also to be absence seizures, and after not getting any tests, or any meds, I ended up having my first gran mal when I was 13.
When I was in my mid 20's my status was downgraded to simple and complex partial sz's, and for the same reasons, I stopped taking meds as well. For 8 years I had nothing but partial sz's, so no one was concerned about me being off medication.
3 weeks ago I had 4 gran mals over 30 minutes each. Don't take the chance...they do damage we don't even consider (to muscles, organs, and the brain) and it just isn't worth the chance.
Sorry to sound so negative,
Susan
Re: Non-Medication of Childhood Absence Seizures
Submitted by dr@askdrstein.com on Mon, 2011-09-12 - 00:07
Dear Des
There is something wrong with the computer, it's calling me Dr Stein, whereas my user name is Sydneymum. I am new to this forum (today 12 September 2011 is my first day). If you are still there I would love to talk to you as I am in Sydney too and my 6 year old son has just been diagnosed with CAE. My home email is ahector@optusnet.com.au
many thanks in advance
alanna
Re: Re: RE: Non-Medication of Childhood Absence Seizures
Submitted by mom2tnt on Fri, 2006-10-20 - 20:02
im really sorry about your child having absence sz , my son was 9 yr old when we found out that he has the same type of sz , but as for not giving him meds that can help i dont see eye to eye with you on it . when they can have so many sz a day that his learning can be affected. ( my son was having 30 - 40 aday lasting 5-6 sec)and the meds did help me get my sweet boy back ,