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Daughter diagnosed w/Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Fri, 01/28/2005 - 03:40
My 14 year old daughter was recently diagnosed with JME I was wondering if there was any one out therewho is about the same age she could converse with about this and to let her know she's not alone. She recently had a tonic-clonic seizure and happenedto be in the shower,I heard her fall and came bolting thru the bathroom door to help her the few seconds she was lying there she had already sucked in enough water to cause her to start to drown,her lips were blue. Iwas terrified beyond belief and almost lost control.I soon got composure and and bent her over she spit up all the water she took in.She woke up a little bit later.Still in the tub,she had no idea what happened,this was her first Grand Mal seizure. I talked to her doctor and he has her on Lamictal. So far so good. And we now are getting info on Safety,And everything else. As a mother is there anything I need to know aboutthat I should know from anybody who has JME... Forgive me as I'm new to all of this and any info would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

RE: RE: RE: RE: Daughter diagnosed w/Juvenile Myoclonic Epileps

Submitted by seanz51 on Sun, 2005-03-27 - 19:14
Maybe get a second opinion. Also, really ask her if the counsellor is helping her move forward in what she thinks the problem seems to be. I have JME, and became very withdrawn, ended up seeing a psychologist for 2 years, (which when I look back on it did not help me much.) This time could have been spent focusing on what the real problem was. Also find out if the reason she is not attending school is due to because she is depressed (or afraid) that she could have a jerking seizure at school; or because the side effects of meds/maybe the depression. These are 2 different things. Another thing I wish I would have done when I was going through a similar expierence was, I was depressed, i wish this was treated separatley from the epilepsy. I believe half the time I was so depressed I did not want to go to school. And try to salvage the school year as best you can.

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Daughter diagnosed w/Juvenile Myoclonic Epi

Submitted by Bonny on Tue, 2005-04-05 - 17:52

Hi everyone,

Robyn here i have JME and have had it since i was 12, im now 21.  For the last 3 years i was successfully on lamictal with no petit-mal seizures which was great!!!

However about 5 months ago i went off the pill and thats when the seizures started coming back and all we can figure is that somehow it mucked up my hormones.  Anyway New Years Day i landed myself in hospital, after having a series of quite full of myoclonic seizures i had a grand mal seizure, which i never have.  I eventually went back to see my neurologist and for he as well as my usualy dose of lamictal, for the last month i've been on TOPAMAX.

However he wants to get me up to a dose of 200mg and that will take 2 months because it has to be brought in slowly, but so far i am only on 100mg, and the seizures havent stopped, and im also experiencing a lot of tingling in my feet, and a lot of dizziness especially at night when im trying to go to sleep.  And if this medication doesn't work then he says that our last option is Keppra.

So i was wondering if there is anyone out there (especially 'hypnotiicxo' who i read her previous post who's topamax) that can help me by giving me any information they have on the side effects of topamax and keppra or just sharing their experiences.

Thanks

Robyn.

Hi everyone,

Robyn here i have JME and have had it since i was 12, im now 21.  For the last 3 years i was successfully on lamictal with no petit-mal seizures which was great!!!

However about 5 months ago i went off the pill and thats when the seizures started coming back and all we can figure is that somehow it mucked up my hormones.  Anyway New Years Day i landed myself in hospital, after having a series of quite full of myoclonic seizures i had a grand mal seizure, which i never have.  I eventually went back to see my neurologist and for he as well as my usualy dose of lamictal, for the last month i've been on TOPAMAX.

However he wants to get me up to a dose of 200mg and that will take 2 months because it has to be brought in slowly, but so far i am only on 100mg, and the seizures havent stopped, and im also experiencing a lot of tingling in my feet, and a lot of dizziness especially at night when im trying to go to sleep.  And if this medication doesn't work then he says that our last option is Keppra.

So i was wondering if there is anyone out there (especially 'hypnotiicxo' who i read her previous post who's topamax) that can help me by giving me any information they have on the side effects of topamax and keppra or just sharing their experiences.

Thanks

Robyn.

RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Daughter diagnosed w/Juvenile Myoclonic

Submitted by Willsmom on Thu, 2005-04-07 - 09:13
HI BonnyJust thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth re: your meds. We had a decent experience with Lamictal. Topomax was aslto great except a little hard on the memory. Keppra wa a complete disaster fo my Son.ButIf the problem began with dropping the pill, I wonder if your doctors have heard of using Progeserone ( a bio- identical cream for instance) as a preventitive measure. It could be that you are suffering from Seizures that are now effected by your natural cycle since dopping the pill.It is a shame to be over medicated if there is something else is going on with your body!!

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