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Advice please
Tue, 01/30/2007 - 02:07Topic: New to Epilepsy.com
My 8 year old daughter has been diagnosed with temporal lobe disorder. She had 2 strokes in 2004, 4 days apart, and one again last week. Initially we took her for tests and the conclusion was that it was heat exhaustion. After having another last week we took her for further tests MRI, EEG, blood, etc., and found that she has temporal lobe disorder. My husband wants her on the drugs immediately while I am a bit sceptical about whether to medicate her. Anybody with sound advice please. My thoughts on medication is that it would be perfectly reasonable to put her on the drugs if they were risk-free. Help ...
Comments
I agree with Mama Bears
Submitted by Michtom on Tue, 2007-01-30 - 06:11
I agree with Mama Bears comments. Its a big decision, but you need to look at all the issues. While there is undoubtedly some risks with all medications, and AEDs can certainly be strong drugs, you also have to think what is the risk of your daughter not having medication. If you have a specialist who you believe knows what they are talking about, and willing to discuss things openly and reasonably, then go back to them and talk risk vs benefit of medication. There probably isn't a correct answer - you may decide to go on meds and then have problems, but similarly you may never know if you could have had worse problems off meds. All you can do is get as much information as possible and know whatever you decide you are doing with your daughter's best interests at heart. There is no definitive answer. Good luck.
Re: Advice please
Submitted by lisaltstheresa on Tue, 2007-01-30 - 09:10
When it comes to seizures, you are better off in putting her on the meds immediately, deal with side effects later. Then you can do the searching and finding out other options but at least she is medicated.
take care
Lisa
http://www.sleep-safe.co.uk/id90.htm
http:health.groups.yahoo.com/group/epilepsyapproach/
Re: Advice please
Submitted by mama bear on Tue, 2007-01-30 - 05:29
Hi there, I know that the thought of drugs in your little one is very difficult. I remember when my son started having seizures I swore he would never be on a "cocktail" of drugs to get things under control. I now know that in some cases we need to get a handle on these things before they progress. I do not know anything about strokes or your daughter's condition, but I do think that if the experts are saying it is the only way to go you should consider it very seriously. There is a lot of information from a lot of hospital sites should you need to read up and make sure they are choosing the right route. A second opinion may put your fears to rest also. Please, get on it right away, this is your daughters brain and you are her best advocate! I know that she is in great hands with you as a mommy because of the fact that you question doing what the doctors think until you learn more. Good luck to you and I hope that she does well. Keep me posted, Tresa (mama Bear)