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Absence Seizures (Generalised)

Sun, 08/27/2006 - 21:40
Hi, I'd like to know if anyone suffers from Absence Seizures (Generalised) e.g. Petit Mal and Grand Mal, either from early childhood through to adulthood and whether you have found success or seizure control with any one drug or drugs in combination, prescribed. Also would be interested to know of anyone who has Petit Mal seizures more than the Grand Mal seizures or vice versa. Thank you and I look forward to a response.

Comments

Re: Absence Seizures (Generalised)

Submitted by Kevinsgirl on Mon, 2008-01-28 - 16:09
Hey there, I'm glad to see that there are others that also have absence seizures... I've FINALLY been diagnosed...they think I have had absence seizures since I was around 13 (I'm 23 now).  Started noticing that things were getting really bad, so finally went to a neuro, and he put me on Zarontin (Ethosuximide)...seems to be helping, although I still gotta watch my stress level and amount of sleep... going for another EEG sometime within the next couple of months, so that will be the telling sign of whether the medication is working well or not...

Re: Absence Seizures (Generalised)

Submitted by Celtgirl1973 on Tue, 2006-08-29 - 23:38
I have just OFFICIALLY been diagnosed with petit-mals in '04 after a grand-mal brought me to the attention of another neuorologist. Apparently I have had these since childhood. I remember getting the EEG. The teachers at school were complaining that I was daydreaming or something. I'm just sitting there at my desk & temporarily check out. The teacher must have called my name or something & I would come back to awareness. The medicine controls the grand-mal seizures so long as I'm careful not to become overheated. It's a bummer because I was playing co-ed soccer until recently. Doesn't always do much for the petit-mals though especially if you are really stressed out. Those are the ones that freak out my mother because no one knows until afterwards & I usually never do except maybe a little blurring of vision sometimes. Hope you have acquired a medical-alert bracelet because its very useful in case you are out when it occurs so medical help or family will be notified.They come in really cool colors now since I last bought mine. My family also got me a phone to carry everywhere. If nothing else my son can call his grandma/my mom for help. Hope to hear from you soon. Heather

Re: Re: Absence Seizures (Generalised)

Submitted by sgritchie on Sat, 2006-09-09 - 06:01
Dear Heather, thanks for your reply. Your probably the first reply I've had who has the same condition as me - welcome to the club! I was diagnosed as a child as well. Always daydreaming, blank stares, all day absences, inability to pay attention, problems throughout life with learning and memory - sound familiar ? 1 grand mal at 17 yrs in the shower (imagine how embarassing) and another just recently. I now have to take Epilim to control Petit Mal symptoms and to stop any Grand Mal seizures occuring again as I drive. Not allowed to drive for 3 months which has nearly finished. When I was a teenager I hoped the condition would go away and I always chose to ignore it. My mother did buy me a bracelet but I refused to wear it. I live in Australia and I don't know of any cool colours they come in except for silver. I agree they are a good idea. Heather, there is so much on the internet about Petit Mal (Absence seizures) but there seems to be some contradiction now over the term "Petit Mal" for reasons I don't fully understand. I believe that evidence says that Petit Mal only occurs in children from 5yrs - 15yrs and not anything over that even if the symptoms are same and unchanged. I of course don't agree as I have exactly the same symptoms now as I did when I was 5 or 6yrs of age. Are you on Epilim as well and do you know if your Petit Mal is frontal or generalised (all over) ? Its nice to hear from you and please post any more comments if you wish to know anything.

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