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Absence Epilepsy help
Thu, 11/08/2012 - 12:59Topic: Surgery and Devices
Hello,
I have a question maybe I somebody can answer before I bring it up with my family or sons doctor(s).
My son has Juvenile Myclonic Epilepsy. He is 17 now and has been going through this since puberty. He is on a ton of medication and nothing helps. It's almost like it gets worse. 1500mg Keppra twice a day and 875mg Divalproex twice a day. The Divolproex will be going up more.
His seizures are mainly Absence now the jerks are gone. Doctor says chances of him outgrowing it are slim but may happen. Not getting my hopes up.
My question is this: Does anyone know if surgery is a viable option for this type of epilepsy?
If it is; it would, of course, be a last ditch effort but I AM at my wits ends with this.
Thank you.
Comments
Re: Absence Epilepsy help
Submitted by Bills_Mom on Fri, 2012-11-09 - 10:25
Thank you for your support. He no longer gets the myclonic. Just a ton of Absence. His last eeg showed 57 in a 24 hr period. As far as the lifestyle issues, he is doing his best with it. He hasn't had any alcohol in months, he loves sleep (what teenager doesn't), is compliant with his meds, and as far as stress....I can't say, teenage boys don't voice that as easy.
We do know that lifestyle is VERY important with this kind of epilepsy. But man when can he even HAVE a life? Aggghhhhh.........
Btw his Absence have always been more severe than your "typical" kid; lasting over a minute long.
Re: Absence Epilepsy help
Submitted by Bills_Mom on Fri, 2012-11-09 - 10:27
BTW the "typical" kid is being used in a very general way. Noooooo insults to anybody. LOL.
Re: Absence Epilepsy help
Submitted by nordygirl on Thu, 2012-11-08 - 18:22
My daughter had her first TC at age 17. She was diagnosed with JME. Her neurologist told us to start with lamictal. It seems to control the TC portion. She wanted the morning myoclonics to stop so a neurologist (near the university she attended, which was not her original neurologist) added topamax. She still has some myocloncis in the morning, but they are not everyday. She is 25 now, has a masters degree and teaches grade school.
It seems the things that trigger seizures in JME are:
lack of sleep
stress
alcohol consumption
She keeps a pretty regular sleep schedule, trys to control stress levels, and she has given up alcohol. She is very athletic, and using running as a way to relieve stress and clear the mind.
This last year her original neurologist added a 25mg of an antidepressant. She claims this has worked very well.
No TC seizures, no absence, mild myoclonic.
As a mom, after many hours of fretting, learning about epilepsy and trying to balance all of life, I sought therapy with a mental health counselor. BEST THING I HAVE EVER DARED TO DO.
Hopefully I have helped.
Blessings.
My daughter had her first TC at age 17. She was diagnosed with JME. Her neurologist told us to start with lamictal. It seems to control the TC portion. She wanted the morning myoclonics to stop so a neurologist (near the university she attended, which was not her original neurologist) added topamax. She still has some myocloncis in the morning, but they are not everyday. She is 25 now, has a masters degree and teaches grade school.
It seems the things that trigger seizures in JME are:
lack of sleep
stress
alcohol consumption
She keeps a pretty regular sleep schedule, trys to control stress levels, and she has given up alcohol. She is very athletic, and using running as a way to relieve stress and clear the mind.
This last year her original neurologist added a 25mg of an antidepressant. She claims this has worked very well.
No TC seizures, no absence, mild myoclonic.
As a mom, after many hours of fretting, learning about epilepsy and trying to balance all of life, I sought therapy with a mental health counselor. BEST THING I HAVE EVER DARED TO DO.
Hopefully I have helped.
Blessings.