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Ethosuximide (Zarontin)

Fri, 01/17/2020 - 12:24

Topic: Medication Issues

Hey everyone, My son was diagnosed with absence seizures a few months ago. He's 11. He is doing well on the ethosuximide but I had a question about the medication. I know bruising can be a serious side effect, but my doctor checked his medication levels and all his other blood work and everything was fine. I can absolutely tell my son bruises easier now then before the medication and I just wanted to know of anyone else has had this experience. My husband and I were concerned. Thank you!

Comments

Hi, Thank you for posting and

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2020-01-21 - 05:58

Hi, Thank you for posting and we understand your concerns. Treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about medications he takes, please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effectsIt’s important you’re continuing to follow-up with your son’s healthcare team, to determine what individual treatment plan is best for him and if he continues to experience any potential changes side effects, symptoms, seizure types/ frequency and behaviors. You all may want to consider keeping a journal or diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, setting reminders,managing medications & side effects, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers, and other personal experiences and therapies, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with his healthcare team. It’s common for those who are in caregiver role to feel overwhelmed, but it is just as important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself as well.https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers It can be helpful to connect with other parents who may have similar experiences, to ask questions, find &give support to each other, by visiting: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents Or contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi, Thank you for posting and we understand your concerns. Treatment and how the body may react to certain medications varies for each individual. The goal of treatment with medicines should be –No Seizures and No Side Effects. However, we know that some individuals may experience too many side effects, that are very bothersome or cause other health problems. To learn more about medications he takes, please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/seizure-and-epilepsy-medicines/side-effectsIt’s important you’re continuing to follow-up with your son’s healthcare team, to determine what individual treatment plan is best for him and if he continues to experience any potential changes side effects, symptoms, seizure types/ frequency and behaviors. You all may want to consider keeping a journal or diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, setting reminders,managing medications & side effects, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers, and other personal experiences and therapies, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with his healthcare team. It’s common for those who are in caregiver role to feel overwhelmed, but it is just as important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself as well.https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers  It can be helpful to connect with other parents who may have similar experiences, to ask questions, find &give support to each other, by visiting:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents  Or contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline 

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