Does All This Medicine Actually Help?

Hello Amit, You know your child more than a doctor, if you think it needs to change, and he or she as your neorologist doesn't listen, it would not hurt to get another neoroligist advice. I use to be on medicine an it took my thinking away and always tired too. But my brother not tired from his medication. Everyone has different effects. Study the medicine they prescribe. I went through surgery, haven't had any since, but I do not recommend it. My brother went through surgery for the same reason, and it did him worse in all directions. Do not give up, when not satisfied. Get another advice if needed to confirm it is epilepsy, sometimes it can be mistaken. Sincerely, TJ

Hi Amit, First I am sorry that you are watching someone you love go through this, I know what it is like to be on that horrible roller coaster. My son has been diagnosed with generalized epilepsy as he is/was having tonic clonic seizures (see blog). He was started on a drug called Lamictal. This drug has to be gradually introduced to avoid allergic reactions. Because my son was not on a full dose he continued to have clusters of seizures that became dangerous. We were then put on Keppra. He is 3 years old weighs 35 lbs and is on 500 mg in the morning and 750 mg at night. The first few days of Keppra and my son looked like he was drunk walking very clumsily, and falling. In the initial stages of taking Keppra he was also quite drowsy and his eyes would even sit at half mast. If he was alert he would be very cranky and uncomfortable. He has now been on Keppra for a month, and we are seeing quite a difference. His mental clarity seems 100% as he is learning new words and speaking longer sentences. My understanding from what the neurologist said is that children's systems can sometimes metabolize the drugs faster than some adults. When my son first started on the Keppra it was a lower dosage and we did experience some additional clusters of seizures. Since we have upped him to this dosage he has gone 12 days without a cluster (this is a record), and has only had 3 seizures that have been fairly brief compared to his history. Everyone kept telling us it would take time to find the right medication and get things under control. I have read about Keppra a bit in Medication Issues a few weeks ago, and there were mixed reviews. I just wanted to let you know that we were able to ride out the uncomfortable beginnings, and it seems to be getting better. This may not be the case with your partner, but I have found a bit of time on the Keppra helped my son get used to it and seem more like himself. Good luck, and let me know how it goes. Tresa (mama bear)