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Non Doctor Opinion
Tue, 11/28/2006 - 23:49Topic: Parents & Caregivers
I am still very new to all of this. My daughter has abnormal brain waves on the left side and some all over. I went to the pediat. neuro and he gave us a precription for Keppra. I am told that the medication doesn't help with the abnormal brain waves but it helps control the seizures. Well the only time she has even had the slightest seizure is when she is woken up from a deep sleep. She will shoot her arms out super quick and her eyes go up toward the ceiling. This last a split second and she is alert and everything afterwards. She does this 3-5 times in a 5 minute period. This has only happened 4 times and each time being woken up. My concern with her being 22 months old the medication will change her. I have been reading about so many people saying it changes moods and stuff. I am completely scared and terrified to harm my daughter first of all and take away her amazing personality. She is seriously the happiest and best baby you would ever meet! The doctor said we have a 20% chance of her having another one. This to me is a small chance and if I wake her slowly in the morning she is fine. With all of this being said (I know i am rambling) I wanted opinions on waiting to medicate. I don't think the world can be cured with a pill and this day in age everyone is looking for the miricle drug. Now if my child was having seizures all the time or severe ones I am sure I would be the first in line to do something, but for some reason with the few she has had the the not so severe at all I am totally confussed. I called and left the doctor a message today about my thoughts I just want some other parents thoughts though. Could her seizures get worse if not medicated? ANd have other kids started out with small seizures and they get worse????? THANKS SO MUCH for any support or advice! You don't know how much I need it :)
Stef
Re: Non Doctor Opinion
Submitted by Essie on Wed, 2006-11-29 - 03:47
Hello Stef We've had exactly the same questions that you now have, 4 months ago. When my son, 5, was diagnosed with epilepsy. He too, didn't have tonic-clonic seizures. It would've made the decision to medicate so much easier, though I'm glad he doesn't have tonic-clonic seizures. He does have atonic, myoclonic, and absence seizures. We absolutely hated giving our son, who we too felt was such a happy boy, meds that could change or harm him. In the end, we decided that we'd rather take that chance, than see what damage the seizures could/would do to his brain. You can read my blog on "Essie's blog". It's not easy. The meds DID change him. It's not what I want. BUT, his seizures is controlled, and after months on the meds, he is starting to adapt. Even his teacher remarked a few days ago how wonderful it is to see our little boy "back", the way he used to be. There's a few small side-effects left, but overall he's himself again! Like we know and love him. It's been a difficult 3 months, but not seeing him seize, is worth it. Though, your little one has much less seizures than my son, it seems. So I really cannot decide for you. I remember some ppl on this site told me that too many uncontrolled seizures damaged their memory, but I don't know what type of seizures and over how many years. I don't know Keppra either. You ask if seizures can progress (get worse). Yes, absolutely! My son's type of epilepsy is Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. It starts with a few myoclonics (jerks), and some absences. Sometimes, like my son, they also get atonics (drop-attacks). Then, about 2-4 years later, the tonic clonics start. So yes, it can and may progress. But, some may also outgrow epilepsy! You need to discuss this with your doctor. Some ppl on this site also told me they believe that meds could've stopped their seizures progress so much. Take care, and good luck with the decision to medicate or not. Essie (mom to Nian, 5 and Meonie, 3)