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pdl1
Possible cure for absence seizures
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I am an MD. My daughter suffered from temporal lobe partial absence seizures from age two. Many medicines helped but none were fully effective.Based on an article on congenital defects in lipid metabolism, I had the flash insight that maybe seizures are related to an inborn ability to form just the right kinds of fatty acids in the brain- since brains are almost entirely formed by conglomerates of proteins and fatty acids.So I started my daughter on Omega-3 fish oil from Costco- two a day. From the day she started the fish oil capsules her seizures stopped. She had been having 2-3 per week, often more.It has now been six months since her last seizure, so I feel confident that there may be merit in this treatment. I don't know how widely it applies in the community, but fish oil seems safe.This is called an "anecdotal report". It is just one case and it is possible that my daughters seizures just happened to disappear the day I began the Omega-3 fish oil.
Recent Comments on this Discussion
I'm not a doctor, but have two masters degrees. I tried this with my daughter hoping that it woulds boost her mental acuity - the addition was made a few months after getting control of her grand mal seizures with a VNS (at age 29). Unfortunately, she was still having absence seizures at the time - several a day. Our finding at the time was that the Omega-3 stimulated absence seizures. So, I stopped the Omega-3. A couple of years later we added Gabapentin - attempting to ease spasticity, stiffness and cramping, and found that the Gabapentin helped in reducing the rate of absence seizures as well as the other problems. After obtaining this reduction in the absence seizure-rate, we re-tried the Omega-3. We're into the 4th week of administration, now, and this time it does not seem to be stimulating absence seizures, and may in fact be helping some with both her mental acuity (she is severely impaired) and her remaining absence seizures. I read this as Omega-3 having different impacts for different levels of brain impairment and seizure control, and possibly having some treatment value for patients who manifest a relatively low seizure rate. The suggestion, also, is that it might in some cases undo control, and thus needs to be used with care and caution. Also, please note that lower doses stimulated fewer seizures (during the first administration and before Gabapentin). A secondary suggestion, based on our experience, is that one needs to start this "experiment" at a relatively low-dose - perhaps 100 or 200 mg..
Unfortunately, this did not work out for me. I thought I'd try some fish oil pills and swallowed 2000mg of them one
night, after which I broke out in a spasm of at least 15 absence
seizures over the next day.
I've seen a lot of parents on here wondering whether to use 'natural remedies' or go straight for the 'prescriptions'!?!?
I've also read through this board, and so many of the symptons of absence seizures, ring a familiar bell. It's something I try not to think about- as alot of the neurotic spasms, must be controllable by our own minds. However, that's on a much higher level.... a level I am trying to achieve, in a desperate attempt to control my seizures.
Now to help with your question, in my opinion... Try every 'natural' possibilty first. I reached straight for the prescriptions, after experienceing myclonic seizures, in my late teens.
IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME, I WOULD!! I WOULD NEVER HAVE TAKEN THE PRESCRIPTION TABLETS.
It is only now that I am starting a natural approach, but I worry it is too late. That my body is too dependent and destroyed by these pills.
My 8 yo gaughter started with absence seizures. Her MD started her on Keprra, that helped a little. We decided to try more natural treatments. The OMEGA-3 packs (2 per day) stopped her seizures for 8 days, but they slowly started again. We are convinced that we are just missing a small piece of the puzzle. Any advice??
Hi I have a 7yr old daughter and possible having a few absent seizures during early evening time, im waiting for the eeg results to come back but ive also been looking into possible cures without any prescribed drugs as I dont really want to go down this line. Can any out there tell me have they ever used Epi STill from native remedies.com, I just wonder if there was any thougths on this. I bought some omega 3 capsules yesterday hopeingthis will help. Like I say the absentness is brief and poss 5 during early evening, when she is probably getting tired and seems to want to talk alot.
can any one offer any more advise pse.
Thankyou Diane
Hi Diane, I posted just below yours about my 8 year old son. I went back to his neuro last Monday and let her know that we were going to continue to see the chiropractor and we were going to try alternatives instead of giving him meds. She was okay for me to do so and suggested that we do a 24 hour eeg down the road after he's been to the chiropractor for approx 6 - 8 weeks just to see what is happening. I have not tried epi-still but have heard of it. We are using fish oil, b6, magnesium, acai berry, multi-vitamin and epsom salt baths, plus chiropractic adjustments 3 times per week (which he loves!) Other than that, she stressed the importance to keep giving him the fish oil no matter what and stay away from any artificial sweeteners including Splenda, and no MSG!! He still has some absences but there seem to be triggers. Very loud noises, over stimulation (sensory overload) For example when we walked into Sam's club and there were 30 tv's going at once while registers were beeping and music over the loud speaker - he immediately had an absence seizure and I've charted that it has happened everytime he has been in a store where alot of commotion is going on, so we try to avoid that situation, and if he goes too long without eating. THe neuro did say that changes in blood sugar levels can cause absences as well as being tired. Hang in there, I know it's not conventional and some people may think you are crazy for not medicating your daughter, but there are parents out there that are taking an alternative route. I would advise you to find a neurologist that is willing to follow you if you decide to try alternatives. I had to go through a very close minded one but I'm glad I kept looking. Also, I have noticed his seizures are lessening since adding in the chiropractic adjustments, maybe it's something to look into as well.
God Bless you and your family, I know it's scary at first - I cried for 3 days- but knowledge is power and trust your mother's intuition about what is right for your daughter,
Katy
Hi Katy, dont know how well your son is doing now, hope everything is well, we had the results from the eeg and we went to see the speacialist a few weeks ago, my daughter has primary generalized epilepsey, which represent themselves into these breif staring spell, she wanted me to start her on treatment, but i have siad no at this time and asked if i could speak to a neurologist. the suggested aed was sodium valporate which has horrible side effects or she has given me an alternative of lamotirgine brand name lamictal. At the moment I still dont want to go down this road, ive been giving her omega 3 capsules and also vit b complex, she is not too bad, but these loast few weeks she seem to be having a few more, but only brief spells, it doesnt effect her at the moment, but im just so scared in what to do, or is there any other suggestions into what i can give her. The side effects of these drugs are not very nice, but i was told she may not grow out of these and it may develop into something else, the dr is prepared to go along with me for the time being and i have a return visit to see her in 3 months. At the moment i feel like im dammed if i do and dammed if I dont, does anyone else out there feel like this, and as there been anymore success stories without having to go onto AEDS. i hope you son continues to improve. I havnet tried the epson salts bath yet.
Best wishes to you and family
Diane
Can you help me? My 8 yo daughter started with absence seizures, confirmed on EEG. Her MD started her on Keppra, it helped a little. He wanted to add another med., but I can't bring myself to give it to her because of the side effects. I started her on B complex and OMEGA 3 packs (2 per day) and her seizures disappeared for 8 DAYS!!!!! Unfortunately, they slowly returned. I made an appointment with a choropractor for this week (she is still on the Keppra). Did you experience a stop and start of seizures with the fish oil and if so, what did you do? I am having trouble getting a doctor to help me with a natural treatment. I am also researching the ketogenic diet (but she was seizure FREE for 8 DAYS with simply adding the fish oil).
Thanks,
Jeannine
Hi thankyou for your very kind support, I have started on omega 3 to see if it will help and also look into other ways, she only seems to have thei brief absenses, when she is possibly tired and when she starts talking so much i think her brain just overloads a bit, she is aware of what has happened and responds to me straight away if i put my hand infront of her, or call her, school have not noticed anything and her school work is ok, so im just waiting for the appt, but I feel at this stage I want to stay clear of AEDS. I wish your son well
thankyou Diane
I came across this post while researching absence seizures for my 8yr. old son who was officially diagnosed with absence seizures last fall, although we had been noticing the absences sporadically since May 08. Our pediatrician said he would outgrow them but should have a neuro follow him. We have seen 2 neuros, one that scoffed at the idea of vitamins/diet changes and our current neuro that offers alternative and conventional treatments. Right now, We are taking the route of alternative therapies/diet changes as opposed to meds due to the complications and side effects caused by anti convulsants. Aside from the absences, my son is strong, intelligent and healthy. We started him on fish oil (Coromega orange flavored packets) and within a few weeks his absences reduced from 10 -15 per day to 5 - 8. Our Dr. suggested magnesium and b6 supplements and said it would take about 6 weeks for any effect or changes to show up. We have also eliminated any MSG, artificial sweeteners including Splenda which we had used daily, caffeine, high fructose corn syrup and anything that has massive chemicals in the ingredients. We started this on Jan. 19th. Also on Feb. 23rd, we started 3x/week visits to the chiropractor. An xray showed the bone at the base of his skull/top of his spine was out of position. This has been our 3rd week at the chiro and this past Monday he was seizure free all day for the first time in 10 months! For the past few days, he has gone the better part of the day without the absences except when he gets over tired. Yesterday he went all day again with none and then had 2 last night as he was up past his bed time. I do chart them and have noticed a connection to him having them more often when he is overly tired or excited. I am noticing significant improvement since we have added in the chiro and we are also just hitting the 6 week mark for the vitamins as well, he also takes an epsom salt bath 2x/week. One thing of interest is that he developed hives last weekend after taking the B6, and the chiro did tell me that if it is synthetic b6 (which it was) it can happen if you have too much in your system, so to look for a better quality b6 from a health food store, preferably made from a food source. Our neuro also offers neurofeedback which will be another option for us, if needed, however, it is very expensive and most insurances won't cover it, including mine. So we are saving up if needed. Our plan is to leave no stone unturned as far as natural/alternative treatments for my son to stay healthy and side effect free.
it may just be a coincidence. One of our docs suggested Omega 3 oil for my daughter 2 years ago just because it is good for the brain but the seizure activity in her brain has not changes in fact it has probably increased. Either way it is a good supplement and I am so glad your daughter hasn't had any more seizures!
Connie
pra
Dear all,
Hi.
I am father of an epileptic daughter(9 years old, 27
kgs body wt) who was diagnosed last year. So far she had three major
seizures and after that her doctor had put her on tegretol 300 mg
CR(two doses a day) and frisium 5mg a day. Since then she stopped
having seizures. However, she continues to have absence seizures may be
around 20 in a day, I guess. Fortunately I have stumbled upon this forum and
there is a lot of healthy discussion going on in this forum on
controlling absence seizures with fish oils/dietary essential fatty
acids.
If fish oil capsules or EFAs are given along with regular
medication(tegretol and frisium) which I had mentioned above, will it
cause any adverse drug reaction or any other side effects.
I appreciate if any doc/parent on this forum clarifies my doubt?
Warm regds
The success obtained with omega-3 confirm my hypothesis on the role of neuroendocrine system and intesine in the pathogenesis of epilepys. I'm a chemistry who work since 1981 in a neurological cliinic of university.
Recently I had write a paper (medical Hypotheses, 2008), suggesting thaat there are not the ketons the responsable of anticonvulsant effetc of ketogenic diet, but neuropetide y (NPY). In fact NPY is stimulated by, stress, i.e. starvation, used at Biblcal time to control seizure, intestinal nutrients as fats, ketogenic diet and your omega-3, medium chain tryglicerids, MCT diet, serotonin and tryptophan.
NPY is an endogenous anticonvulsant, as it's showned by many studies on it.
SSRIs antidepressant drugs increases intestinal serotonin, it's explain their anticonvulsant effects (Their were considered pro-convulsants, but our paper demonstred that they are anti-convulsants). Also antiepileptic drugs increase intesinal serotonin.
With the aim to confirm it we had registered a food supplement (Serplus Giofarma srl, info@giofarma.it) containing alpha-lacatlbumin (ALAC), a whey protein rich in triptophan and poor in the other large neutral amino acids competing to it to intestinal absorption and to cross blood brain barrier.
The results obtained both in clinical studies and in animals allow to ALAC to enter in the screening program of NIH.
How do I figure out the dose of fish oil that I should be giving my daughter. She is very drug sensitive, the first two medications had too many side effects and I would like to give the fish oil a try. Can you(anyone) help? She weighs 71 pounds and suffer only form absence seizures, but many a day when not on medication.
Cure,possible cure i've heard this so many times in the past 30yrs
I just found your blog on fish oil. I have a 7 year old and we are having
problems with finding the right drugs. She is having a hard time in school and she too maxes out on
all the medications. I was wondering if you could PLEASE give me an update on your daughter and
let me know if they fish oil helped her absence seizures.
Thank you
Desperate mommy!
Hi
I want to post question, how can I do?
Hi,
Try fish oil from Nature Made (1200 mg/day capsules) and coenzymeQ10 from nature made (1 a day). After reading this forum, I have started taking them. Havent seen any drastic difference in my health status, because seizures were pretty much controlled previously by taking a very high dose of lamictal. I have to start experimenting now by slowly decreasing the drug level. I think you should try to give your kid fish oil capsules, coenzyme q and the medicines she is currently taking and see whether there is any difference. lf not go to someother physician and tell him/her to prescribe a higher dose or may be try a different drug. Most important, try to create a stress free environment around her. Take care.
Thanks, I actually started her on 600 mg a day, we are doing the liquid, wow does it stink. She is decreasing her depakote now, she is on 1/2 the dose that she was a week ago and I have not saw a seizure yet ( she has absence , so there are usually many a day when not on meds). So I am hopefull that this is going to work, we have also been back to the neuro and have topamax (We said no to Lamictal, too many scary side effects) that we are suppose to be adding this week, we may just wait and see how this all goes with getting off the depakote first.
Hi.Try Carlsons fish oil lemon flavored.It was recommended to me by a highly regarded naturopath and is so delicious.You would think that you could actually put it on your fish!No kidding. And no after taste.I hope you and your daughter are doing well.Take care.
[...] we have also been back to the neuro and have topamax (We said no to Lamictal, too many scary side effects) that we are suppose to be adding this week, we may just wait and see how this all goes with getting off the depakote first. [...]
Hi,
I too used to take depakote (sodium valproate) and tegretol (carbamazapine) several years ago. One of the most problematic side effects was hand tremors. The Dr. told me it is one of the side effects of sodium valproate. So I started taking lamictal only. I completely removed carbamazapine and sodium valproate. However, I still had hand tremors. So I started taking inderal (propranolol). Hand tremors are still present, but they have definitely decreased. My main problem is lamictal. I take 900 mg – that’s a super high dose and it effects my thinking ability – makes me mentally sluggish. So I want to decrease it somehow.
If you don’t mind, can you tell me what was the dosage of valproate and other drugs your kid was taking before you halved the dosage of valproate. At what times in the day was she taking the drugs? Was it with food or without food? Is she taking fish oil at a specific time in the day or at the same time as she is being given depakote? Which brand of fish oil is she taking? Is she on a special diet? I am a vegetarian and have a high carbohydrate diet. Sorry too many questions, but I just hope the answers you give me will help me in decreasing my medicine uptake. Thanks
Dear all,
Currently, I am taking 900 mg of lamictal !! I also take 160 mg of inderal (to decrease the tremors caused by lamictal). I recently completed my Ph.D. studies. It took me 8 years to complete it. Normally, students complete it within 4-5 years. I think the very high dose of lamictal that I am taking has made me mentally very sluggish.
Now, I want to start working as a postdoctoral scientist. I am afraid that my employer will not tolerate things going slow and I will loose my job. I want to some how decrease the amount of lamictal to something like 200 mg so that I will be able to think faster. Can you all tell me the type, amount and brand of fish oil that works for you all? I want to take the same oil and the same amount to see whether my seizures go away.
Thanks
I am writing in response to pdl1. I read your comment and immediately started my 8 year old son on the Fish Oil caps as well as Flaxseed oil. He was having 7-10 Complex Absence seizures an HOUR! He is taking 3 different medications for the seizures and 2 medications for mood disorders which I believe are caused by the seizures. He has been struggling in school and the past 4 years have been a nightmare trying to get meds straight and Doctors to listen to me. He has tried 5 other medications and nothing has worked. The day after I started the two oils he only had 4-5 the whole day! The next day he had 3-4 and everyday he is having fewer and fewer. I was hoping you could contact me via email, I would like to ask some questions about your daughters progress as well as if she is still taking her meds. I really feel that the oils are helping and would much rather stick with those than all the medications he takes. He takes 720 pills a month! That can't be good for a 54 pound 8 year opld boy. If you could email me, if you even see this, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
This is in response to sweetpea. Your 8 year old son is taking fish Omega 3 fish oil.
I have a 8 year old son who suffers from absence seizure (Petit Mal). He was on Lamictal and Keppra, but Keppra made him very moody and mentally sluggish. He had behaviour issues at schools and lot of other related problems. Currently he is on Lamictal and Ethosuximide. This drug requires him to have a blood test done every month.
I would like to start my son on fish oil. My question is, what is the dosage that you are giving your son and which is the brand. You have also mentioned flaxseed oil, can you please give me more details. Do you administer these fish oils in the morning?
Thankyou
Parent2rith
I have faith in this treatment as well, since I've also replaced Tegretol with fish oil capsules. After being on Tegretol for about 3-4 years, I went off the medication after reading about cancer scares and possibly a lower chance of conceiving later on. Two weeks after going off the medicine (at this point I hadn't been taking the fish oil capsules), I had a grand mal seizure; that same night I started taking the fish oil capsules twice a day, and it has now been over a month and I have not suffered another seizure since. It's still too early to tell I guess but so far everything is well, and I have hope for this... and it just goes to show that there are some medical concerns that can be treated without conventional medications.
About subtle inattention in ADHD
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Tartrazine_and_ADHD/
ADHD is not epilepsy.
My daughter has been taking fish oil and eating regular meals of oily fish for the last two years. She went from having numerous partial seizures a week to having none. She occasionally had a simple partial seizure at the time of her period but this didn't affect her life.
Thanks to omega 3 fats she got her life back. She had an outstanding year at school last year and came top in maths and the science subjects.
She is at college now. She has discovered the hard way though that although fish oil has controlled her epilepsy very well, she is still epileptic and irregular meals and chronic sleep deprivation (college lifestyle!) will trigger cp seizures in spite of the fish oil.
BTW none of the epilepsy meds helped her- they seemed to make her seizures worse as well as causing rashes and other side effects. She takes no other treatment now for her seizures except for fish oil.
When I mentioned the wonderful effects of fish oil to her paediatrician he was very interested. He was already a believer in the good effects of omega 3 fats and said he prescribed them for young children with developmental delays.
Not Katie D., but her father. She has partial absence seizures that seem to happed as her period approaches, sometimes one or two and sometimes in groups of 5 or more close together - like within a couple hours. She taks the max of Depakote and has been on taking Omega 3 supplements on our own for several months. Since we started Omega 3, the seizures have reduced to these times approaching her period as opposed to pre-Omega 3 they were scattered throughout the month. Maybe we will add oily fish to her diet along with the supplement and get rid of this once and for all. Thank you for your experiences.
discovery channel recently ran an episode on a man who stuck with a Ketogenic diet and has been seizure free for 5 years, but like anyone I'm sure it depends on the person.
I find I'm questioning the diet programs in schools, my child is 7 in 1st grade. Due to the weight problem of many children here in the state of Alabama( I personally put most of the blame on parents--my own opinion)They are required by state mandate to have no/low sugar and no/low fat meals. It has widely been stated in many medical reports that Nutrasweet/Aspartame is really bad for you. It can cause memory loss and headaches and I've read can cause seizures. Could some of the problems be putting unhealthy man made chemicals in our children? After all, at the time of birth pediatricians recommend formula until at least a year then switching to whole milk due to the fatty acids to increase brain developement... just a thought to ponder.. Tia
In my opinion Omega -3 (farm raised salmon and guarenteed to be murcury free) may not be the wonder drug that cured her it helps. Man has not lived far from water and fish until last century. We are what we eat and ketogenic diets are advised for children with epilepsy. I had absence seizures as a child but they began again in my forties. Please also read about CoQ10 to accompany the fish oil. I am small and I take 50mg. I have read a lot but advice shortens your search. The co-enzyme works in the cerebral flid and is capable of breaking down the debris left behind by neurons damaged by the seizure. From my first hand knowledge I am positive that it has helped. Just remember to read about famous people with epilepsy because I know it is a gift with challenges.
So epilepsy is a "gift" ???
It is "a fact of life".
'E' exists and some have it.
(Just like 'some' people are short... etc)
E is only a gift in that it enables me to relate to others who have the same experience; but, aside from that, it is no more a gift than my height.
A very small % of 'all' people are gifted.. and it is not 'part' of (or exclusive to) epilepsy.
~sol
Hi, my neuro also recommends a theraputic dose of Folic Acid. I idvide into 0.5 mg 3x/day. I have noticed a clear improvement. I've also benefitted from adding Co Q10 100mg in the morning. Good luck to all- cc
I read this post originally because I saw "possible cure for absence seizures".
I gotta agree with Gretchen and ask, where is the published article.
And, if it is such a solid "possible cure" why are you not talking to other doctors in Canada and the USA to conduct a study - placebo -vs- omega 3, to make it more concrete? Why not get into the research further.
Also, if you are an MD - then, would you not know that every case is different when it comes to epilepsy and seizure disorders?
What is working for your daughter NOW may not work for everyone in general.
Also, think about as your daughter gets older - hormonal shifts may change seizure frequency & the medications she takes may have to change, that's what happened to me.
If I were you I wouldn't use the word "Cure".
Possible 'complimentary' treatment would be a better idea.
Just for nutritional purposes, we eat more fish at my place and we buy milk & chocolate milk that has Omega 3. It's done nothing for me, seizure wise.
For me, having a gym membership has helped the most! Keppra is doing it's job well enough and complimenting Topomax & Clobazam OK, but stress, routine and weather changes still trigger seizures.
It's all about me learning to deal with life.
Either way, I'd look forward to seeing some published information if you ever get that far or find the link, since it seems you didn't write the article.
As a side note, I'm not sure why people gave Gretchen such a hard time. I'm with her - before I consider anything a "cure" I'd wanna know the credentials of the person telling me that.
I know I used to co-assist an MSN group and in that world, if people couldn't back up stating they had a "cure" for epilepsy with a link to a web page OR their credentials, I'd delete stuff. Too missleading for anyone recently diagnosed!
Think about that d1.
For someone like me who's in my 30's and been dealing with this, I think OK - possible alternative, but someone clinging to the hope that a kid doesn't have to be on meds - what are you setting them up for?
Credentials are not such a bad thing OR a link to anything you've written if you're going to mention "possible cure", being a doctor and all...that gives people hope, especially those that don't step back & realize every case is different.
I've been taking fish oil since reading this (about six weeks ago). Have had no auras or incidents but then again my episodes were so very rare to begin with. I am going to keep taking the EFAs and hopefully will never have to go on Keppra or any of that crap.
In away "akepi" here has just proven my point from above.
Now, "akepi" is fish oil the only thing your taking, or are you still following YOUR doctors orders?
If you're only following the orders of a guy claiming to be a doctor on-line, you might want to re-think that. Glad to hear it's going well, but what happens if you build up an immunity to it - or your immune system takes a hit with a cold and some sort of "Keppra, Tegretol CR, Valproic Acid, Lamictal, Topomax, Clobazam, Zarontin, Phenobarbitol, etc...."....true seizure med (FYI: The ones in that list are the 'trial/error ones since I was 5, so they're the ones I know most).
Anyways, like I said glad it's going well, but don't you think maybe one extra seizure med "complementing" that could help confirm you'll stay seizure free.
FYI: Right now, I'm on 3 -- by the middle of next year Topomax will probably be totally replaced by Keppra. Topomax controlled my seizures to 3-4 in 6 mths, but my neuro thinks Keppra can do better. So far, so better. Other things in life have helped as well.
Anyways, if you're American & so is D1 (the original poster here), now it would be really interesting to see your view on wanting his credentials. Who will you blame when that seizure happens, if one does? The medical profession OR the internet world, for not saying "oh ya, just possible" and the day that seizure happens, will you not be slightly annoyed that you didn't confirm this person is a doctor with neurological credentials. As opposed to an MD & a concerned parent. Sarcastic side of me that happens to get a lot of US TV here says could be fun to see the episode of Judy Judy after you call the "Injury Lawyer"..afterall, Injury Lawyers are every other commercial on TV some nights.
Interesting the way people see things, that's for sure.
D1 - does this make you re-think using the word "cure" in a subject line at all?
This is not the only report I have heard regarding positive effects of Omega 3's. And I really DON'T like the things I've read (including on this site) about difficult to miserable side effects, and even worsening seizures, etc. If I can stay seizure free without those medications, then I want to do so for as long as possible. I do not have multiple seizures daily or even monthly. I am trying to weigh risks and effects, etc.
I don't make presumptions about this persons credentials or lack thereof, but have read numerous articles, including the link to Dr. Bromfield's interview listed elsewhere on this site. And I am not following orders from "a guy claiming to be a doctor". I am making my OWN decision based on the information I have. I don't know why you think I should be taking drugs, just because you are taking 3...
http://www.healthandage.com/public/health-center/18/news/716...
Hi akepi,
The side effects listed for each drug are NOT 'typical' reactions (or else they'd have been banned eons ago). To avoid a lawsuit, all drug companies now put every known side effect on their site (even if that side effect only existed once).
All of the AEDs are continually made (supplied) due to a 'demand' ..and the reason that demand exists is due to the fact that, in the majority of cases, the meds work with no hurtful side effects.
(75% of those with epilepsy are perfectly controlled via AEDs)
Yes I take extra vitamins, but I don't depend in them to control me (And I'm sure a manufacturer would have the vitamins repacked and sold as AEDs if such was the proven case)
There are many places online where they will pray for your seizures to vanish too.
IMO that is no answer either.
~sol
I agree with you about the 'typical' reactions, but on the other hand why settle to take meds when there might be something that can help. I'm NOT against meds, but for example my son is on 2 meds and I have worked very hard on finding alternative solutions (diet, minerals, vitemans and acupuncture) to get him off the meds. Doctors in most cases do not agree with alternative methods. Why settle for 'controlled' seizures when there is a possibility to help 'cure' and not have to take meds. My son has seen an acupunturist over the last 9 months and is almost seizure free and here in the next couple of months we are talking about weaning him off of his meds, thats how good it has gotten. regaurdless, these type of meds even if they say there are no side effects, it's still not as good as not being on them or having to take a lower doesage. I do know that this is not always an answer for everyone, but is something to think about.
I am not talking about the side effects the drug companies list. I am talking about the numerous problems people on this site have posted.
I will postpone medication for as long as possible. When I had high blood pressure I didn't immediately take Ziac...I lost some weight, changed my diet and started exercising more frequently. Now my BP is normal. If at some point in my life, I am not able to control the blood pressure myself, then I'll take the medication rather than have a stroke or heart attack.
The same with seizures. I will postpone medicating myself for as long as possible. If I have more seizures, then obviously will have to rethink this, but at this point, I don't see the need to immediately jump on the pharmaceutical wagon.
Hi akepi,
GOOD FOR YOU!!! Keep it nantural for as long as you can. Diet and other things play a huge part in seizure control, I know this because I had to find out the hard way with my son who has seizures. Doctors don't tell you, but I'm figuring it out. Diet, minerals, vitemans and the best has been acupuncture he is almost seizure free because of trying to go natural, and keeping positive on this journey. You go!!!
Akepi: I agree with you. Making healthy changes in our lives can indeed keep us from having to take drugs. At least TRY to improve your health with healthy improvements and natural products. Have you read "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About" by Kevin Trudeau? It's amazing what we can do INSTEAD of drugs to improve our health.
I'm with you! Way to go!
Terri N.
I am very interested in these two articles as well:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=25937
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/509217
The results of several studies suggest for those with infrequent seizures there is little to gain in the long-term from starting medication immediately.
Hi There,
A few interesting things taken from your first article that I wonder about:
Quote # 1 (and yes this is your article)
" those with early epilepsy and infrequent seizures."
Please define this for me. They certainly don't - which tells me their stats sucked or they want to mislead people who are on the border. Is one seizure a month infrequent? 1 a year? Let's ask pd1 the MD. I have 3 in 6mths, to my neuro that's still kinda frequent. What does pd1 think? Hmmm and what are pd1's credentials to back that?
Again quote # 2:
" patients with few or infrequent seizures" (still not defined)
maybe you fit into this category, but by my neuro I and many do not - so, don't always claim you have a cure for people like ME
AND sorry, but your "MEDSCAPE ARTICLE" I can't access, I'd have to join, not worth my time when you could've attached it.
So, maybe for "infrequent" seizure (to be defined...perhaps pd1 here has a definition) Omega 3 is an ALTERNATIVE treatment, but don't claim it is something that can be used as a replacement for medication for someone with frequent seizures & that it is a cure for abscense seizure. It is not. I know people who have multiple seizures in a day, they certainly don't fall into the category of "infrequent" your article that I could access claims. Complementary Treatment, perhaps I've been told that myself. As a cure? Hmmm..there isn't one from what I've been told. Then again, watch Exorcisim of Emily Rose - you'll wanna take Gabitrol. HA!
As my neuro says - seizure disorders and epilepsy are unpredictable.
Just don't mislead people newly diagnosed with FREQUENT SEIZURES that Omega 3 is a cure. Take it for what it is - an alternative that might help for most. If your seizures are that INFREQUENT (to be defined!!!) who knows, odds are doctors might hold off on meds OR put you on 'em for a glimpse in time then take you off when they know your OK.
For someone like me (oh wait...I guess mine are infrequent, hmmm...guess not), Omega 3 might not be the answer?
Side not to the person taking Folic Acid...Acid - I take that now not for seizures but because my boyfriend & I plan on getting married within 2 years & want to have kids - all women are supposed to take that pre-pregnacy they just want me taking way more! It's done little for seizure control.
Nice to know I'm infrequently stressed & have been since early Sept., so I think I just found a great cure for stress - join a gym! Then again...what is "infrequent"
People really don't define things do they??....I work in a world where rule # 2 is "NO GUESSING".
The first article link (that I can access), the orignal post (a person who won't provide credentials) and more leaves so much room for guessing and speculation! People want to call Omega 3 a Medication when it isn't a drug it is an Alternative!! Read your own article - it even says so See quote:
"where they received no drug until they and their clinician agreed treatment was necessary."
(so you're taking Omega 3 - it's a vitamin, not a DRUG, not a MEDICATION).
My issue is the original subject of this post is "Possible Cure for Absense Seizures" and it's in the MEDICATIONS section.
Step up and Claim it's not a MEDICATION & don't treat it like it is one, even your own research indicates placebo or no drug.
Interesting?
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/509217
sorry - works for me
Hi Akepi,
Hopefully you can keep up the trend of thinking you're a doctor, treating yourself and having things work out for the best for you.
I for one think I'll stick with seeing a neurologist/epileptologist, following his orders and picking up some "COMPLIMENTARY" treatment and advice along the way.
No offense, but your logic to me sounds almost like that of my stubborn grandfather's.
He kept thinking he just had a stubborn cough. Finally my dad took him to a doctor, who sent him to a hospital where he found out he had lung cancer. He faught doctors all the way on high level treatments, thinking inhalers and cough candy's were enough.
Gee, by the time he wanted surgery (what they recommended on day 1) he was too weak for it. Wasn't long after that, and he was no longer living. That was around the beginning of 2006.
Being close to my family & watching the impact of a stubborn grandfather not following doctors orders. Hmmm...think I'll trust medical science more than alternatives to control my seizures - especially since in the great scheme of things epilepsy doesn't control my life & seizures can't kill me.
Here's hoping alternative remedies keep working for you though and you have no regrets, sounds like you're almost as stubborn with the medical world as my grandfather once was.
After all, similar to him thinking of his lung cancer as a cold & that cough candies were all he needed, you're willing to think of Omega 3 as a MEDICATION for seizures when really it is an alternative treatment.
Hopefullly your alternative treatment is more successful.
~ EC
Hi THere,
I guess my issue is that pd1 decided to post this in the section that is called "MEDICATION ISSUES"
And, you're saying this works as if it is a "MEDICATION"
Does no one see there is an area on this website to post "COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES" (or if you look at the description in there it says details about 'alternatives')
Really that's what this whole thread is about Omega 3.
Omega 3 isn't a MEDICATION.
It's an ALTERNATIVE
And for people to post details in a medications section, implying that it can be taken like one, and act as a "cure" is misleading.
Call it what it is - an alternative treatment.
Where's the active pharmaceutical product to make it a MEDICATION?
That isn't there.
I saw a topic called "Possible cure for absence seizures" In a MEDICATIONS section. I thought there was a better pharmaceutical medication out there than Keppra. Not something alternative.
I've heard of Omega 3 as "complimentary" before, and that's where this post should have gone.
You can't just post something that really has not active drug (ASA, Ibuprophin, whatever), call it a cure & say it's a MEDICATIONS cure on a medications form.
Call it an alternative, and put the post in the right place, so people don't think Omega 3 can truly be taken instead of following doctors orders.
That's my point here.
Put this whole thread under "complementary thearapies" and it makes sense, but to call Omega 3 a medication & toss it in as a possible cure under MEDICATION ISSUES gets people's hopes up, and is really incredibly misleading.
If I were to ever follow this, I have a feeling it wouldn't work for me, and just all the little plays on words in the original post & the section that it was posted in if I were american I'd try to pull of a law suit. After all, buffalo tv is full of 1-800 lawyer stuff.
Like I said, glad it's working for you, I just find it interesting that this is so misleading where it's posted & no one wants any true evidence or credentials.
Wow! Guess no one has been screwed over by doctors and people are too trusting these days.
Perhaps it's the criminology and law/security/internet influence in me.
~ EC
Hi Pdi1,
I'm still trying to decypher your original comment as absence seizures are NOT partials.
Absence are Primary Generalized Seizures
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/types_seizures.html
Moreover, "In nearly 70% of cases, absence seizures stop by age 18" http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_absence.html.
You may be an MD, but, IMO, you FAIL to prove that the seizures were stoppped by the Omega3 oil, as they may well have just disappeared anyway.
Gads..even Complex Partials (similar to Absence in that the memory is affected) "may be outgrown" http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/seizure_complexpartial.html
You may be a physician, but (like many I've met in my life) you've demonstrated you know little about E.
Had your 'claims' been proven, everyone who used Omega3 vitamins (with whatever type of E you were referring to) would have had similar results.
Omega 3 'may' help (I take it also) but, raising people's expectations is cruel. In my opinion, yours are just unproven claims by a non-epileptologist, so have little merit.
Yet, despite the fact we only have your conjecture that your daughter's seizures were stopped by Omega 3, I am glad to hear they have ceased.
~sol
I feel very grateful about several posts mentioning fish oil,if it wasn't for what I had read I would never have thought to try it on ds. It can't hurt to try,it may very well be a coincidence that my ds stopped having spells since the second day of taking fish oil, but I surely will continue it just in case.
I have just ordered Neptune Krill Oil from DrMercola.com and will let you all know if it helps with my sons complex partial seizures. We are weaning him off of Keppra due to emotional side effects. His first drug was Trileptal and he NEVER ate and had severe stomach cramps. I would rather deal with seizures than the side effects of these drugs. I am thankful to have found the info about fish oil. I know many are skeptical about it, but it is healthy for the body anyways so it can't hurt to try!