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Daughter diagnosed with absence/myoclonic general seizures

Wed, 09/27/2006 - 19:00
Hi, We just got back from my daughter having her VEEG. We got a totally different diagnosis from the epileptologist. She has now been diagnosed with absence, and myoclonic seizures. She has been having problems with headache and dizziness, but we found no seizure activity during these episodes, apparently she is having migraine type headaches also. Her neurologist never was really clear with the types of seizures he thought, but was always marking complex partial on his diagnosis sheet. She had been put on Keppra, which made her worse, but we were told by this new doctor, that Keppra is not as effective for absence seizure, and probably just wasn't working for her. She is now on Depakote, and is doing much better. She is 8 y.o.. What are people's experiences with myoclonic? Thanks, Lori

Comments

Re: Daughter diagnosed with absence/myoclonic general seizures

Submitted by tchaide05 on Fri, 2006-09-29 - 21:15
Lori, my daughter also has absence seizures. she was diagnosed with E after having three tonic-clonic seizures. but had some seizures that caused her hands to jerk before that. Lauren is on trileptal, which is working pretty well for her. she went 4 months with no seizures, but now we are having some tough times, her absence are getting worse. Pleae let me know how well depakote is working for you. Mom to Lauren age 9,

Re: Re: Daughter diagnosed with absence/myoclonic general seizur

Submitted by jmccand on Sat, 2006-09-30 - 07:25
Mom to Lauren, I am so sorry that she is having more seizures again. I know you are frustrated. My daughter is 8, and has only been on Depakote since 8/15. So far, it seems to be controlling her seizures. The Epileptologist, said based on her VEEG she was having Absence just all the time. She always seemed just a step behind on things. I would joke to myself that she was a lot like Pooh Bear. Since being on Depakote, the teacher has seen a lot of improvement in the classroom. Her grades have really made an improvement. I also can see a difference in her interactions with other people. She seems to be able to keep up. I am worried too, that after awhile the medicine won't work. I have read about that on the boards. I just pray that she continues to do well. Right now, I feel we can all take a deep breath because things are starting to improve, but I am also scared to put my guard down. I will let you know how she continues to do on Depakote. I hope that things improve with Lauren. What area are you from? We are from the Atlanta area. Lori

Re: Re: Re: Daughter diagnosed with absence/myoclonic general se

Submitted by tchaide05 on Sat, 2006-09-30 - 14:43
lauren has also had a veeg, which of course, showed nothing. we don't really know what is going on. I guess time will tell. They upped Laurens meds last week, hoping it takes effect pretty soon, her latest ones are it will look like she is yawning for about 15 to 30 seconds and just sit there. This is just so frustrating. At least her grades don't suffer too bad, she is great at reading and spelling, her downfall is math and science, but she is doing good in those, has a C and B. so I really can't complain, and she has a teacher who understands bout E, which really helps. I am from the central IA area. Mom to Lauren age 9,

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