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Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 14:14

HI - our daughter was diagnosed over the summer with Absence Seizures. Her pediatric neurologist has recommended starting her on Ethosuximide. She has assured us that the side effects are primarily "upset stomach" and that can remedied by taking the medication with food.

 We are new to all of this and quite overwhelmed. Currently, these seizures are not interferring with her school work, behavior, or social activities. Since it is most likely that she will "out-grow" them we are reluctant to start medication.

 Is there anyone "out there" who has never medicated OR started the medication and then stopped it b/c of the side effects?

We don't want to make the wrong decision. Thank you for any insight.

Comments

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by rtesplin on Wed, 2010-02-03 - 21:08

My daughter has had absensce seizures for several years.  We opted not to treat with medication to see if she would out grow them.   When she turned 15 and was still having them and wanting to drive we decided to put her on ethosuximide.  This stopped her absence seizures but it did make her sleepy.   She did have nausea in the beginning but after being on it a few monthes she didn't have a problem.  Good Luck

My daughter has had absensce seizures for several years.  We opted not to treat with medication to see if she would out grow them.   When she turned 15 and was still having them and wanting to drive we decided to put her on ethosuximide.  This stopped her absence seizures but it did make her sleepy.   She did have nausea in the beginning but after being on it a few monthes she didn't have a problem.  Good Luck

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by helling1111 on Wed, 2010-02-03 - 21:59

Thank you - I can certainly understand why you would want her to be "seizure-free" for getting her license.  If you don't mind me asking .... in retrospect, would you have started the medication earlier?

Your input is very helpful, as you are farther along the path than we are.  Thanks again.

Thank you - I can certainly understand why you would want her to be "seizure-free" for getting her license.  If you don't mind me asking .... in retrospect, would you have started the medication earlier?

Your input is very helpful, as you are farther along the path than we are.  Thanks again.

Re: Is anyone NOT medicating for Absence Seizures?

Submitted by mothergoose on Thu, 2010-03-04 - 12:33

I completely understand where you're coming from re not medicating. I'm waiting for our 1st paediatric appointment for my 6yr old and after reading about the side effects of anti-epileptics all my instincts are shouting "Noooooo!" I'm not well informed about all this yet but the medication side sounds like a minefield and I just don't want to go down that route. However....I might have to. I'd be interested to know your decision.

I completely understand where you're coming from re not medicating. I'm waiting for our 1st paediatric appointment for my 6yr old and after reading about the side effects of anti-epileptics all my instincts are shouting "Noooooo!" I'm not well informed about all this yet but the medication side sounds like a minefield and I just don't want to go down that route. However....I might have to. I'd be interested to know your decision.

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