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New here (absence seizures, adhd and autism ?'s)

Mon, 07/16/2007 - 12:19
My 9 ID twin boys were diagnosed with absence seizures less than a year ago but have had them as early as 5-6. At first I just thought they were day dreaming/ spacing out. As they started adhd meds at 7 they got worse as their adhd meds were upped I noticed more things like eye rolling and head tilting so a little after they turned 8 I told their ped and she ignored me for a month then sent them for eeg's. In may we went to a specialist a ucla doc what a joke anyhow he says adhd meds have no effect on seizures (BS) every time the meds(stimulants) go up the seizure activity goes up. Has anyone else had this problem with their kids? We also believe the boys are on the autism spectrum anyone else have issues with all 3? I just need to know I am not alone with this. Jessica

Comments

Re: New here (absence seizures, adhd and autism ?'s)

Submitted by dimilana on Tue, 2011-05-24 - 22:51

I know this was posted about 4 years ago, but my daughter was dx'd with ADHD when she was about 8.  My son was dx'd with autism at age 5.  The medicines for ADHD (ie, Focalin)for my daughter were tried, but they made her increasingly irritable, chatty and even more inattentive.  I chucked those meds within a week.  So my daughter had to just deal with it,in all aspects of her life.  However, one day while driving along the highway on the way to her school, the trees created shadows from the sun and began to flicker through the windows.  She jumped back and said<"  I don't like that!  Make it stop"  Then it hit me... my maternal grandmother was dxed with epilepsy at 47, is it possible that my daughter has it as well? 

Anyway,  she had the EEG, and was diagnosed with epilepsy(absence seizures)  she is awaiting the initial appt with the neurologist.  My son had an EEG when he was younger(he also has ocular motor apraxia) before the autism dx.  That EEG was abnormal, but neither positive/negative for seizure activity.  Many children with autism also have seizures, however, I have no idea whether this is officially called epilepsy.  So... that being said... for my son's autism we have had tremendous success with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which I was pleasantly surprised at how similar it is to the ketogenic diet recommended for epileptics.  Other things that have helped are DMG, magnesium, omega 3's, Raw B complex vitamins and Trienza enzymes.  Once in a while I give him caprylic acid and wash toxins out with charcoal.  But, I am on my way to having all four of my kids tested for epilepsy. 

Once at the pediatrician's office when my younger daughter was about 3, I mentioned ADHD to the doc and told her that my kids are sooooo bright until about age 3.  At age 3 they continue to be smart, but are so innattentive, excitable, that it is harder for them to reflect what they've learned.  What am I doing wrong?  The doc just said that's the way they are and  I haven't done anything incorrectly.  My younger daughter is now 8 and she is soo frustrated at school because she says she doesn't hear the teacher.    So I would say that in your instance, maybe your kids don't have ADHD, but have epilepsy only?  Hope this helps..  also a form of epilepsy inherited has been recognized on the 22nd chromosome, the same chromosome blamed for some forms of autism.   Hmmmmm........... 

I know this was posted about 4 years ago, but my daughter was dx'd with ADHD when she was about 8.  My son was dx'd with autism at age 5.  The medicines for ADHD (ie, Focalin)for my daughter were tried, but they made her increasingly irritable, chatty and even more inattentive.  I chucked those meds within a week.  So my daughter had to just deal with it,in all aspects of her life.  However, one day while driving along the highway on the way to her school, the trees created shadows from the sun and began to flicker through the windows.  She jumped back and said<"  I don't like that!  Make it stop"  Then it hit me... my maternal grandmother was dxed with epilepsy at 47, is it possible that my daughter has it as well? 

Anyway,  she had the EEG, and was diagnosed with epilepsy(absence seizures)  she is awaiting the initial appt with the neurologist.  My son had an EEG when he was younger(he also has ocular motor apraxia) before the autism dx.  That EEG was abnormal, but neither positive/negative for seizure activity.  Many children with autism also have seizures, however, I have no idea whether this is officially called epilepsy.  So... that being said... for my son's autism we have had tremendous success with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which I was pleasantly surprised at how similar it is to the ketogenic diet recommended for epileptics.  Other things that have helped are DMG, magnesium, omega 3's, Raw B complex vitamins and Trienza enzymes.  Once in a while I give him caprylic acid and wash toxins out with charcoal.  But, I am on my way to having all four of my kids tested for epilepsy. 

Once at the pediatrician's office when my younger daughter was about 3, I mentioned ADHD to the doc and told her that my kids are sooooo bright until about age 3.  At age 3 they continue to be smart, but are so innattentive, excitable, that it is harder for them to reflect what they've learned.  What am I doing wrong?  The doc just said that's the way they are and  I haven't done anything incorrectly.  My younger daughter is now 8 and she is soo frustrated at school because she says she doesn't hear the teacher.    So I would say that in your instance, maybe your kids don't have ADHD, but have epilepsy only?  Hope this helps..  also a form of epilepsy inherited has been recognized on the 22nd chromosome, the same chromosome blamed for some forms of autism.   Hmmmmm........... 

Re: New here (absence seizures, adhd and autism ?'s)

Submitted by pgd on Mon, 2007-07-16 - 13:40
Try: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ADHD_Bulletin_Board/

Re: New here (absence seizures, adhd and autism ?'s)

Submitted by schesney on Wed, 2007-10-17 - 23:11
SChesney No. You are not alone. My 7 year old daughter also has seizures, ADHD, and autism. She is definitely not an easy child. We have been through 3 different AEDs, and she still has breakthrough seizures. She is on Adderall, and I also think that sometimes it affects her seizure activity. However, I think it does because it messes with her sleep. It keeps her awake longer, and her seizures are always worse when she is drowsy. It has definitely helped with her school work and some of her behavior outbursts, so we feel that the good outweighs the bad.

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