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.
JME or Myoclonic? Afraid of pregnancy
Thu, 08/14/2014 - 13:57I'm new to these forums but there are questions I've had for years... I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was about 8 when I passed out a couple of times. I was put on Tegretol and was fine. I was taken off the medince a couple years later when they thought I outgrew it. When I was in high school I started getting the myoclonic jerks first thing in the morning. I thought this was normal until I went to a doctor when I was 18 and was diagnosed with Myoclonic epilepsy. I started Lamital 200 mg/day. I am now 27 and my new doctor thinks it is JME. What is the difference between the two? Also, I read that most people with JME have tonic clonic seizures in addition to myoclonic. I have never had one and I live my life in fear of having one. I get such bad anxiety sometimes wondering if I will have a seizure. Do you think I will one day have one? I know my medicication level is low but I have been seizure free on it for 9 years.
My other main concern is pregnancy. I hope to be able to have babies but I am so afaid of pregnancy with epilepsy. I think that while I am pre gnant I will have seizures. My doctor told me he would raise my Lamictal levels while I am pregnant but I still worry. Am I being irrational? I also fear that the Lamical will lead to having a chld with a birth defect. Or that I will pass my epilepsy to my offspring. I'd love to hear some stories both positive and negative... especially those related to Lamictal.
Well I thought some JME
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2014-08-14 - 18:54
Well I thought some JME juvinal myoclonic epilepsi vs. Myoclonic epilepsy. With then both the seizures are generally the same. Both can generalize and by doing that they can then become tonic clonic seizures. You are no the site that can give yo uall the information you are wanting. Go to the LEARN section and look at types of epilepsy. Then read teh different types of seizures a person can have with that type of epilepsy. I do understand yor concern but if the only seizures you have had are the ones you posted then those might be the only ones you have. Now to your pregnancy issues. There are some issues with medications and generally your neurologist knows which medications are safer then others so do listen to him on that matter. As for birth defects wellllllllll anybody can have onewhether they have epilepsy or not. pasing epilepsy off to your child _____ It is rare that epilepsy is hereditary but it does happen. However most of the people I know that have epilepsy have great kids and none with epilepsy. My cousin had epile[psy and grew out of it. She is marride has a great job and the family is doing well. As far as I know she and I are the only ones with epilepsy. Her doctors calls and discused the issue with Mom because they thought it might run in the family. Welllllllllll it doesn't since my epilepsy is caused by scared brain tissue. As for lamictal it is a good medication and I took it for a period of time. I wanted better control so Doc and I thought I needed to switch to another medication. I hope this helps