Community Forum Archive
The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.
To medicate or not- Please give advice
Mon, 08/27/2007 - 22:30Topic: Parents & Caregivers
Ok Folks, please help me out here!! My daughter is on Ethosuxamide for Absence seizures. She has responded well to her meds.
My son who is eight years old has had grand mals/partials in his sleep, about every six months, only when he is getting a virus for two years now. But... in the past month and a half he has had one partial and two grand mals. Two of these times we can pin down to the start of a virus. He has had two normal EEGS. Normal MRI and CT too. The neurologist is pushing Tripetal. (Probably did not spell that right)
When he is getting sick he is more emotional and agressive/irrational. Otherwise he is a sweetheart. (Unless he is getting sick.) I am afraid of two things.
#1 the meds will cause him to have a daytime seizure which he does not have as of now... yet.
#2 The meds will cause him to be a mental basketcase which I have seen the tendancies for him to be that way already.
Do I wait on meds since he is only having them in his sleep and they really are few and far between? (Compared to my daughters which are daily.) Or am I setting him up for something much worse? Please help me out on this. I need opinions. So sorry to ramble.
Jean
Comments
Re: To medicate or not- Please give advice
Submitted by valorie on Mon, 2007-08-27 - 22:53
Dear Jean:
You told me about your one of your son's seizures, I'm the mother who inquired about seizures during illness. My daughter has had a VEEG and it is abnormal, spikes from the parietal lobe-left side. However, she has not had another seizure yet. In the hospital for a week, I spoke with another mother who told me about Dylantin(sp?) that you can administer yourself if the seizure lasts more than 5 min. I've also heard of a few meds that are given during sickness only to help control seizures, I think the name is Ativan. I haven't looked into the medications very well yet, but hopefully you can ask your doctor about these meds to be administered only when you think a seizure might happen. I haven't heard of meds triggering a daytime seizure, just not controlling the ones he already has. I would take him for a second opinion if you are not sure. Have they named his syndrome, or have an idea if it is benign type seizures? Maybe a second opinion and more info on meds would help you find the answer. Best wishes, Valorie
Re: Re: To medicate or not- Please give advice
Submitted by eanj on Tue, 2007-08-28 - 10:05
Thank you to those who have responded.
My frustration in all of this is that despite testing, they cannot give me a reason or a diganosis for his seizures. (Unlike my daughter who showed obvious signs of petit mal in her EEG). If he were to have a daytime seizure or they could give me a reason for the seizures I would medicate right away. I do have Diastat. (We have used on daughter but not on son as of yet.)
I am worried about SUDEP (sudden death). My uncle died from this in his forties. He had a grand mal in his sleep after quitting his medication. So.. I am terrified of this but I also fear causing my son harm through the meds. Maybe I am still in denial about it? I hate the idea that my decision about which med to use or not to use could determine his long term health. I do not need to tell any of you that this is hard. You all know this already. Thank you for the support and may everyone have a good (seizure free) day: )
Jean
Re: To medicate or not- Please give advice
Submitted by SunflowerPower on Mon, 2007-08-27 - 22:48
It is very important that you try to control his seizures, because seizures can cause a very rare syndrome called SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.) Seizures can also cause brain damage because of a lack of oxygen getting to the brain and head injury from sudden falls. Here is the link for more info http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/sudep_epilepsy.html If your son is not doing well on his current medication, then you need to work with your doctor to change medication or find other ways of controlling his seizures.