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why medicate?

Fri, 03/16/2007 - 18:11
I had a seizure recently and ended up in the ER. I've had all the tests done and they all came back normal. From my discussions with the neurologist it sounds like I've had a couple seizures over the last 10 years brought on by a drink and smoke (not a habitual smoker) on an empty stomache. But we're talking about maybe 3 times in ten years. He started me on medicine and I hate it. I've heard about people going off medicine- I don't understand this because I thought the medicine worked as a block and not a cure. Why can't I not take medicine and try avoiding my triggers? Thanks, Phoebe

Comments

Re: why medicate?

Submitted by Lizbeth on Sat, 2007-03-17 - 12:04
OK, here's how my neuro has explained it to me. If you are having seizures, there is always the potential that they will become worse or more frequent. So... he always recommends that you get them completely under control to avoid that possibility. He does acknowledge that it's my choice to medicate or not. For now, we've been going the medication route, with the understanding that his goal is to find a med or combination of meds that controls the seizures with minimal side effects. Sounds reasonable to me. If the side effects are really bothersome, or have an effect on my daily life that is, in my opinion, not worth it, we can try something else. If I could control them by avoiding some specific triggers, I probably would. In my case, I can't do that.

Re: why medicate?

Submitted by ypawlow on Tue, 2007-03-20 - 17:50
A good analogy: I was given a really good analogy of why it's important to medicate by a neurologist's nurse. When you have a seizure, a path is created in your brain that makes it easier for seizures to occur again. She likened it to a path in the snow, every time someone walks through it it becomes wider and easier to walk through. Yvonne

Re: Re: why medicate?

Submitted by phoebea on Tue, 2007-03-20 - 19:49
That is a great analogy and really good information. Thanks.

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