Here for my Dad--newly diagnosed at age 70

Good morning!  It has been a rough year for my dad.  He started having what he thought were "dizzy spells" or a reaction to a new blood pressure medication earlier this year.  As the frequency of these spells got progressively worse, he started spending a lot of time in his home and then later, in bed.  In late June, he came to visit and had what I thought was a seizure while we were having lunch out.  Because he did not lose consciousness (and I know how he feels about hospitals), I tried to put on a brave face and worked on convincing him to go to the emergency room with me after lunch.  His first hospitalization wasn't particularly helpful.  His MRI, CT and routine EEG were all normal.  The neurologists were not particularly helpful, and the two we saw (who share a practice) both concluded fairly quickly, and incorrectly, that he was having psychogenic seizures.  The consulting psychiatrist disagreed, thankfully, and Dad was started on anti-seizure meds--Depakote and Keppra.  He was discharged after a few days, with instructions to follow up with a neurologist for a 24 hour ambulatory EEG.  Well, the seizures got much more frequent--and I decided to take him back to the hospital.  Same hospital--same neurologists...  It was the 4th of July weekend and nothing was being done.  I decided to advocate more strongly and he was transferred to a larger hospital for continuous EEG monitoring.  He was immediately set up with the continuous video EEG montoring, and because the seizures were now happening at an alarming rate--every 20-30 minutes, the neurologist that saw him was able to see the seizure himself, and immediately go to the video EEG to see what had happened in Dad's brain.  He diagnosed right frontal lobe seizures and changed meds immediately and explained that he would be hitting the seizures hard in order to get them under control.  Dad was out of it for a few days and was finally able, after months of seizures, to sleep and rest.  The seizures were completely stopped for over 48 hours when we went home.  The dosage of the Tegretol was lowered to 600 mg the day of discharged, and although we could have stayed another day, Dad was ready to go home. 

Several days later, seizures started breaking through.  They were much shorter and the effects afterwards were also less severe, but he was still having seizures.  His general practice doctor increased his Tegretol to 800 mg and ordered levels to be checked in a week.  We did those yesterday.  We have an appointment with the neurologist we saw on Dad's third hospitalization early in September--the earliest we could get in.  (He listens, explains, and is the neurologist we want to work with.)

I guess I am just here for support and suggestions.  So far I think we are doing everything we can and should be doing.  Dad started out with home health nursing, but is regaining his strength and will discontinue that soon.  I have convinced him to stay here with me until he is stronger and his seizures better controlled.  He is obviously dealing with a great deal, and not being able to drive is tough on him.  For many years--right up to a few months ago--he was extremely independent and in good health--with some  issues not uncommon at his age--high blood pressure, high cholesterol and COPD (former smoker).  He was active, helped with grandkids, etc.  Months of complex partial seizures took a toll and he was pretty weak, even used a walker for a short time after getting out of the hospital, but he is getting stronger.

We have confidence in his neurologist, but hate the wait to follow up.  I guess that's how it is with good docs--they stay busy. :)  The neurologist was surprised that the seizures had stopped completely--and said so, and did prepare us for the likelihood of more seizures.  (He had counted over 40 seizures in a 24 hour period on the video EEG.)  Obviously the goal is to get Dad seizure-free, but I am wondering if that is unrealistic?  Of course, we want as much seizure control as possible with the fewest side effects.  We are only about five weeks into this journey and a little overwhelmed.  Curious if there are other folks on here who have epilepsy as adults/seniors who might have some insights or suggestions?  The neurologist explained that meds are the first line of treatment, and a nerve stimulator and surgery are also options, but I am not sure that Dad would be a good candidate for surgery with his other health issues.